15 days, 3500 km and 11 places covered with 14 different means (Bus, flight, cab, train, boat, cruise, Van, scooty, cycle, buggy, raft, zipline, cyclo and kayak). An experience of a lifetime !
However more I write about Vietnam, it won't be enough. So listing down my top 7 experiences from the beautiful country.
Hoi An street during evening
It was love at first sight with Hoi An, the charming lantern town blew us away. We just couldn't have enough of Hoi An. Right from the lanterns, cafes, different shops, street food, street performances, beautiful pagodas and a river flowing all along will transport you to a different world. Can man made things be so beautiful too?
Quietly beautiful Phong Nha and adventurous Dark Cave
Son river in the amazing landscape of Phong Nha
You can sit all day by the riverside enjoying the amazing landscape and still leave with your heart unfilled. While the place is world renowned for its Caves, the greater beauty I feel, lied outside the caves in the scenic landscape. We enjoyed our scooty rides in Phong Nha more than the caves. We enjoyed the Dark Cave too which provides a unique adventurous and a muddy experience.
Trek through the rice valleys of Sapa
The terraced paddy fields of Sapa
Cruise along the Halong bay
Sunset at Halong Bay
This turned out to be a bonus on our trip. The weekend evenings transforms the Honoi city square into a big village fair, of people enjoying, singing and dancing. We danced too and were in love with the big bubbles as well. The entire experience was lovely.
On top of Bai Dinh Pagodha
However more I write about Vietnam, it won't be enough. So listing down my top 7 experiences from the beautiful country.
Map representing the places we covered during our short stay.
Magical Hoi An
Hoi An street during evening
Quietly beautiful Phong Nha and adventurous Dark Cave
Son river in the amazing landscape of Phong Nha
You can sit all day by the riverside enjoying the amazing landscape and still leave with your heart unfilled. While the place is world renowned for its Caves, the greater beauty I feel, lied outside the caves in the scenic landscape. We enjoyed our scooty rides in Phong Nha more than the caves. We enjoyed the Dark Cave too which provides a unique adventurous and a muddy experience.
Trek through the rice valleys of Sapa
The terraced paddy fields of Sapa
A 6 hour trek from Sapa to Ta van along the paddy fields is the best way to experience Sapa. We enjoyed the trek along the muddy fields, the scenic landscape and interacted with local tribes. We also stopped over in the H'mong village and had a lip smacking lunch at a local tribal home. It was the best local cuisine we had in Vietnam.
Sunset at Halong Bay
Arguably the most photogenic location in Vietnam, Halong bay lived up to its high expectation. We enjoyed the cruise all the more because it was our first cruise experience. When we were not relaxing on the deck, we also did kayaking, caving, swimming and visiting a pearl farm. Witnessing the sunset was an amazing experience.
Hanoi weekend night at Hoan Kiem Lake
Street performance near Hoan Kiem lake
On top of Bai Dinh Pagodha
An aerial view of the pagoda
This was not just a routine visit to a place of prominence, exploring the vast pagoda was an experience in itself. The real amazement came atop the tower where we enjoyed the panoramic view of the pagoda and the valley.
Train journey from Da nang to Dong Hoi
Scenic Da nang bay
Train journey from Danang to Dong Hoi traverses along the scenic Danang bay. Book your seats on the right side of the train and brace yourselves for a free tour of the beautiful bay.
