Don’t know where’s your passport? No problem, you won’t need it.
Don’t know what to pack? Ney worries man, we are travelling super light for this trip.
Just woke up and have no time to get ready? No dramas, you don’t even need to wear pants for this one (unless you want to).
Lend me your eyes and let’s explore the epic scenery of Vietnam.
From North to South of Vietnam; around every corner of this S-shaped land; we were left wanting more.
Why 37 photos? Well, it’s the Year of the Monkey and 3 and 7 are lucky numbers.
I’d say we had a lucky year exploring Vietnam and this is our story.
What to see and do in Vietnam
Admire the colourfully-dressed women from Dong Van Markets in Northern Vietnam.Check out one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Say hello to Ha Long Bay.Experience the energy oozing from the capital city. Vietnamese youth and tourists come together on Beer Street in Hanoi.Pause to enjoy the simple beauty of traditional farming techniques.Appreciate the cascading power of Pongour Waterfalls near Da Lat.Travel back in time exploring the charming UNESCO town of Hoi An.Find space and silence in one of the many Buddhist temples around the country.Sit back and let the glow of the setting sun warm your skin on a Perfume River boat trip in Hue. The river didn’t smell like any bouquet I know, but you can’t fault Mother Nature’s entertainment.Hold onto your hat as you ride around the many hairpin bends of the Ha Giang motorcycle loop.Mot, Hi, Ba, Jo!!! Toast in Tet (Vietnam’s Lunar New Year) in Hoi An. I got to hand it to the Vietnamese, they know how to party.Learn more about Uncle Ho at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi.Watch the clouds roll in from Son Tra mountain lookout.Seek out the juxtaposition of tradition vs development in Da Nang.Wave “Sin Jow” (Hi) and Tam Biet (Bye) to the adorable kids of Quan Ba in Vietnam’s north.Explore Vietnam’s cave systems which are gaining more attention each year. The calcium-rich wonderous shapes can be found in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. You can choose from the colourful Paradise Cave, the muddy and womb-like Dark Cave or invest in a mega experience in the largest cave in the world, Hang Son Doong.Geek out on history and engineering all in one with Vietnam’s array of bridges. Our favourite is the colour kaleidoscope of the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An.Float through the majestic Mekong Delta in Vietnam’s South. The Delta is the food bowl of the country and essential in everyday life.Appreciate the calmer evenings walking along the Saigon river in Ho Chi Minh City after a manic day of sightseeing. The city is noisy and busy, but it’s also this: Families gathering for an alfresco meal along the promenade.Take in the surreal contrast between the soft yellow and white flowers against the rugged mountain landscape in the north-east of Vietnam.Chill out on the islands of Vietnam – Con Dao and Phu Quoc.Understand the role of the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City during the Vietnam War. Nothing says more about the contradiction of times than this room. A games room decked out in 60s decor, meanwhile, downstairs is the war operations and communications bunker.Drink in the heady greens of Vietnam’s rice paddy fields.Ponder the way of life for these residents who expertly move their tables, kid’s toys, and outdoor kitchen for when the train chugs on through.Marvel at epic grandeur of the King’s Tomb in Hue.Park up your scooter and watch the sky and river turn a candy-coloured pink in Phong Nha Ke Bang.Discover the centuries-old Champa Kingdom. A unique exploration of a culture whose spiritual origins was derived from India’s Hinduism.Appreciate the tile and mosaic works of art in almost any temple in VietnamConsider the natural forces that could make the concentric valleys witnessed riding the Ma Pi Leng PassQuestion political ideologies as we know peering into Uncle Ho’s study in Hanoi.Choose between door number 1 right through to umpteen at the Purple Forbidden City in Hue.Have fun getting lost in the architectural maze that is The Crazy House in Da Lat.Get off the beaten track with a bike ride around Cam Nam Island in Hoi An.Try and wrap your head around the antics of Emperor Tu Du. Long before he died the building of his tomb commenced. The project was such a mammoth task that it resulted in a coup. His ability to continue his reign through an heir was unsuccessful too. Even with over 100 wives and concubines!Gently row down gentle waterways and through caves in the city of Ninh Binh.Spruce up your look with a sidewalk haircut nearby the Temple of Literature in HanoiCapture the day-to-day lives of rural Vietnamese.Take in the bright lights of night-time Hue admiring the Imperial City.
After 5 months in Vietnam, the above experiences and encounters with people are the reasons why we fell in love with the land of the dragon. Why we will definitely return. And why I think it will inspire you to book your flight to check it out for yourself.
Beautiful… I would love the kid friendly cut down one day 🙂