Northern Vietnam

Vietnam was on our top 10 destinations list, but lets say it wasn’t near the top. We knew little about it other than the fact it would be cool to visit, and we eat Pho all the time, and it’s bloody delicious.

Tina had holidays to use up and we wanted an adventure, so when Scott randomly suggested Vietnam, and after looking at images online in bed that morning, the seed was planted and our Visa applications were sent straight away.

This was our first time in Asia and we dove headfirst into Hanoi, world renowned for it’s chaotic streets. It was a wondrous eye opener and was nearly impossible to walk a block without stopping to take photos of something amazing. It was love at first sight and we were like kids in a candy store.

We ate and drank our way through winding streets of Hanoi during the 10 days we were in the city, gorging ourselves on Banh Mi, Cha Ca, Pho Ga, Bun Bo Nam Bo, Bun Cha, coconut coffee…OMG the food.

Trips out of town filled the other days, from cycling Ninh Binh, being paddled through the winding Tam Coc river, hiking the rice paddy lined mountains of Sapa in the far north, to a cute room aboard a Junk Boat cruising the teal blue waters of Halong Bay.

We boarded our train to Sapa at midnight and were shown to our quarters where we would try to have one of the strangest sleeps of our lives. Scott compared it more to a rollercoaster ride than a train trip, at times it felt like we were literally off-roading. Sleep might not have been plentiful, but it felt authentic and we loved it.
Our time in Sapa was highlighted by a long hike to a homestay deep in the mountains, where we were prepared delicious local food. Our hostess also tried her best to get Scott drunk on her homemade peach rice wine.

Our final destination was Halong Bay with it’s iconic teal blue waters, junk boats and towering limestone peaks. We spent one night on a little boat cruising the bay, taking hundreds of photos, singing karaoke with the crew and other guests and doing a little late night squid fishing off the side of the boat. A perfect way to end out time in Vietnam, relaxing in a beautiful setting, opposite to the mad rush and noise of Hanoi.

We loved Vietnam, and our journey to the north definitely left a lasting impression. With lots more of the country to explore, one day we will be back.

 

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