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Vietnam
  • Zoe Bennfors
April 2017

Vietnam

A 29-day adventure by Zoe Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 2, 2017
    Zoe BennforsVietnamZoe Bennfors

    Ho Chi Minh

    April 2, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    With one country down, today was the day I headed to my next destination, Vietnam. Having heard so many good things about this beautiful country, I was excited to be moving on, despite the sad departure from Cambodia.

    After patchy sleep and being exhausted I made it to my 8.30am bus to Ho Chi Minh. I was sat to a very nice Cambodian, who attempted to make conversation with a very tired me. I felt awful that I couldn't be more of a joy to sit next to but I think my previous week had taken its toll.

    Having slept most the journey and experienced my first border crossing of my trip, I arrived in Ho Chi Minh at 4pm and wow it's a hectic city. First time crossing the road took at least 5 minutes and I'm hoping I make it out the city alive. However, I made it to my Hostel and checked in for the night. Having money to sort out, I made that a priority before I could enjoy myself and snoop around the shops.

    My hostel being located in the centre of town was perfect, being near various shops and the main market. My dinner was street food, adding up to a huge total of $1 as well as treating myself to ice cream which was freshly made (also $1). Eating for this little money has already made me fond of Vietnam.

    However, the market certainly sells questionable food, I saw crocodile being cooked in front of my eyes,
    something I haven't braved to try yet.

    After a very long day and being extremely tired, tonight is a rest night and the rooftop above my hotel is the ideal spot for this. Despite not having met anyone yet, it's quite nice to observe the city from my point of view and really take in the sights I'm seeing.    Read more

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    Cu Chi Tunnels

    April 3, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Today was another early start, the focus of the day being Cu Chi Tunnels. Having learnt about the Vietnam War for my A Levels I was extremely excited to go see the actual location of this fascinating war.

    The area in which the Cu Chi tunnels is located is huge and there was a lot of ground to cover. Right at the beginning there is still one entrance to the tunnels which hasn't been widened and it was a tight fit for me, let alone a grown Vietnamese man. I would hate to think what it was like going through these tiny tunnels in pitch black, I know I would be petrified. Through the tour we saw various boogey traps the Viet Cong set in order to beat the Americans, all made by hand. I think it's incredible that with so little the Viet Cong could challenge a 1st world country that had so much money, machinery and supplies. At the end of the tour there was an option to shoot a choice of guns from the war. I chose to shoot an AK47 and felt like a pro after shooting my 10 bullets, although I don't think I got one bullet on target. To finish off the tour, we actually got to travel underground through the tunnels. Having being widened, they were still a squash. After covering around 100metres underground I was ready to come out, drenched in sweat and having the beginnings of aching thighs.

    Back at the hostel I met an American ex army cadet called Marcus. He had a friend who was based in Ho Chi Minh called Clara and he invited me to go get food with them. It was ideal being with a so called 'local' as she knew where to go and we ended up at Saigon street food market and had a fantastic meal.

    With a full belly and early morning ahead, I decided it was a good idea to get a reasonable sleep to be fresh for the Mekong Delta the next day.    Read more

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    Mekong Delta

    April 4, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After a 6.30am wake up and a bumpy bus drive, we arrived at one of the sections of the Mekong Delta.

    Our first trip out on the boat was to an island were we had a row boat tour through the canopied water. It was so beautiful and was typically Vietnamese, with all of us wearing pointed hats. We then stopped at another part of the island where we tried a home made honey which is known for its many health benefits and was very yummy!

    Lurking around, they also had a python which I got to hold, safe to say it was a little daunting but felt it had to be done. By the end it had wrapped its tail around my leg, some might say it would want me as its prey however I reckon it just wanted a friend and a nice hug.

    Following on we left to go to another island where we ate a typical Vietnamese lunch, consisting of rice, beans, pork and spring rolls. However, the menu of this restaurant was questionable, including meals with crocodile and other appetising animals. We also spectated coconut candy being made which was really delicious. The speed in which the ladies finished the packaging at the end of the process felt like the motion was being fast forward as they went so fast.

    In pools around the complex they had a huge one full of crocodiles. There were so many I couldn't believe my eyes and were so still they didn't even appear alive. However, when it came to their feeding time you gathered they were very much alive.

    We then headed back to the mainland and onto the bus which would take us to Can Tho were we would stay the night. We wondered round the town and grabbed a bite to eat, the town being significantly less busy than Ho Chi Minh. With an early morning in store for the floating markets, it was straight to bed.    Read more

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    Floating Markets, Mekong Delta

    April 6, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    6am alarm and an early rise in order to see the floating markets, which are one of the main attractions of the Mekong Delta. Having never seen them before and heard so many great things about them I was very excited but at the same time didn't actually know what expect. I can now say that they were different to my expectation, nevertheless as impressive. As the boat slows down numerous boats instantly attach themselves to our boat, trying to sell various fruits, all extremely cheap price and in bulk.

    I bought bananas and pineapples which were both delicious and so sweet. The pineapple was my favourite, both in the way it tasted as well as its presentation. They cut it in a way that makes it look like an ice cream and was just so so yummy and juicy. As you sit on the boat and watch what's around you, it was amazing to spectate this chaotic way of life and I learnt that tourism gives these people a large chunk of their earning.

    After departing the floating markets, we went to the rice noodle making place, where we could see how they made them from scratch. It's a simple but fascinating process to watch but also requires some skill which was learnt by attempting to do part of the process ourselves.

    Following on, we went to another island and hired bikes to go round and see the island. We visited the main temple on the island which was surrounded by a mass of trees and also the sight of a bomb that was dropped by the Americans during the war. To get here we cycled through the local housing and farming. It was lovely being able to have a personal insight into the daily lives of the people who loved there. Later, it was time to head back, stopping off at a place for lunch.

    After arriving back in Ho Chi Minh, I decided to have a snack at my favourite bakery which I have been loyal to the whole duration of my stay in the city. Marcus then wanted to see more of Ho Chi Minh as he was leaving the next day, so we went for a walk around Ho Chi Minh to see some more of the sights like the cathedral, temple and war museum.

    In the evening, we enjoyed a Korean BBQ with Clara, her partner and Marcus, followed by drinks at a bar called Layla which was a relatively new establishment and spent the rest of the evening there. Bars in Ho Chi Minh are usually a must do when your in the city as there are so many hidden in all kinds of places. This one did not disappoint. But soon after finishing up our drinks, we decided it was time for bed after a very busy day.    Read more

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    War Museum, Ho Chi Minh

    April 6, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    After a busy few days I decided today was going to be slower paced. Having a relaxing morning catching up with friends and sorting out my next steps.

    Due to it being sunny outside, I made use of the rooftop garden above my hostel and sat up there reading my book and soaking up some sun. However, the heat began to get too much and I decided I would take myself to the War Museum.

    Having been so interested in the war I thoroughly enjoyed this museum, despite the atrocities of the war. I was speechless at some of the activities that went on and thought to myself how man kind could think it's alright to do such terrible things to another human being. The affects of the agent orange and chemicals used by the Americans on the Vietnamese are still causing defects over 40 years later and its likely these defects will continue to be passed down. After finishing at the museum it's safe to say I felt quite emotional and sad having gained such an insight to what the people of Vietnam went through, especially having done nothing to the Americans.

    I got back to the hostel just in time to watch the sunset on the rooftop garden which was beautiful. Then, just as I was heading out for food I met a Canadian girl called Lauren, she invited me out for a beer so said why not. We ended up meeting others and all went out and had a very fun evening. I even met people who I had been with in Cambodia which was a crazy sight! Having had low expectations for a quiet night it became quite the opposite.    Read more

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    Bui Vien Street

    April 7, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Having planned to go to Mui Ne and in attempt to book my hostel beforehand there appeared no spaces for the night I wanted, therefore having to extend my stay in Ho Chi Minh and delay my arrival in Mui Ne.

    However, it turned out to be a very enjoyable day. Turns out someone I had met the night before wanted to go to the zoo and with no plans I decided to go along. We saw so many animals and got to feed the elephants sugar canes which was a lot of fun. I think the elephants enjoyed it as much as us. Other animals that we saw included giraffes, a snow tiger, tigers, bears and hippos.

    We spent around 2 hours around the zoo, being actually very enjoyable to stroll around and see the animals, despite it being incredibly hot and sweaty.

    Heading back to the hostel and deciding what to do in the evening, I messaged Lauren from the night before and we decided to go grab dinner and a drink. Getting on so well with Lauren made it a very enjoyable evening, walking up and down Bui Vien street, exploring the shops and bars. Later on we ran into people from my hostel who invited us out for a drink.
    After a few beers with them, I decided I should head back and pack to be ready for my early departure to Mui Ne, leaving the others to head out clubbing.

    I said goodbye to Lauren who was also going her separate ways. After nearly week in Ho Chi Minh, it was time to say goodbye to the crazy city.    Read more

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    Mui Ne

    April 10, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Having grown accustom to the bustle of Ho Chi Minh, the Mui Ne vibe was a drastic change being located on the beach outside the city of Phan Thiet.

    The hostel I planned to stay in was referred to as a village and was the main stop for backpackers passing trough the area. The hostel was great fun and had a lovely pool to lounge by as well as activities on each night.

    My highlight of Mui Ne would have to be the sand dunes trip. It was one of the best days since I've begun my travels. 10 of us got picked up from the hostel in a jeep and headed to the first stop which was the Fairy Stream. It was a magical place and the stream was extremely shallow, enough to be able to walk through with the red dunes and rocks as a back drop surrounding you. At the end of the stream was a lovely waterfall, being the water supply of the stream. Next up, we stopped at one of the harbours with countless fishing boats and locals living on the beach. The sea being so blue making it extremely scenic.
    Following on from this were the sand dunes. We were driven up to the top by a quad bike at the highest viewpoint on the dunes. It was a breathtaking view and one I will not forget. The quad bikes were an exhilarating ride and after getting back down from the dunes treated ourselves to an ice cream. It was then time for our final stop, the red sand dunes to watch the sun go down which was another breathtaking sight.

    We got back to the hostel and everyone who had been to the dunes went out for dinner at a local Vietnamese restaurant which was cheap and delicious.

    The next day was a relaxing one by the pool, soaking up some sun and enjoying the hostel. Safe to say Mui Ne was a treat.    Read more

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    Dalat

    April 12, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Having enjoyed myself so much in Mui Ne it was sad to be leaving. The bus journey to Dalat was a bumpy one, however the scenery was incredible. I travelled there with a girl called Aurelie who is doing an internship in Dalat and was in Mui Ne for a break. Having got on really well, we agreed to meet up again in Hanoi as we are meant to be there around the same time.

    Exhausted, I arrived at my hostel. It was a lovely family feel and every evening they do 'family dinner' which invites everyone in the hostel to eat together. The food was the best I've had in Vietnam and was so sociable. To end the night we headed to the Maze Bar which was a crazy place full of tunnels and stairs. It really lived up to the name, being impossible to find your way back out again.

    The next day in Dalat was a touristy one. I joined up with a girl I had met in Mui Ne called Fiona and got on well with. We decided to explore the city along with another girl called Leena who was in her hostel as well. The day was filled with a trip to the local market, a walk around the lake which was spectacular. We then decided to head to one of the waterfalls. The hike up there was one I will not forget. We even got the local bus to and from the waterfall and felt like real tourists as well as feeling extremely proud we got there and back. On the way back, we stopped off at the Crazy House which was fascinating and cleverly created. It was full of crazy passages, tunnels and a breathtaking view over Dalat. Very tired and hungry we made our way back to the hostel in time for another family dinner which we all demolished.

    Having had a busy few evenings previously, we decided it was time for a movie night so settled on watching How to lose a guy in 10 days. After 22,668 steps I'm hoping sleep will come very easy tonight.    Read more

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    Canyoning

    April 13, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    My second day in Dalat was an exhausting one. The day's plans were canyoning. Having not really known what to expect, it was certainly an experience.

    Our team leaders were called Jerry, Sun and Nam and certainly made the trip. There were plenty of wild activities throughout the course of the day, these included abseiling down waterfalls and into waterfalls as well as cliff jumping and trekking along the rivers path. There was one activity called the washing machine in which you abseiled down a rock face and then dropped into a waterfall which took you under for 2/3 seconds then brought you up. My heart was certainly in my mouth through those very long seconds. The power of the water was incredible and I now understand how dangerous currents can be. However I came out safe and alive which was the main thing.

    If you want something that gives you an adrenaline rush this couldn't be more ideal. After finishing the trip with a 20 minute hike up hill it's safe to say I was absolutely exhausted. My dinner that evening could probably have been shared between 4 people I was that hungry. Needless to say I slept very well that night.    Read more

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    Nha Trang

    April 15, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    This was just a 24 hour stop on the way to Hoi An and having heard many mixed reviews about the place we weren't quite sure what to expect. We arrived in the evening and were welcomed by the lovely people who worked in the hostel. They were so kind and always happy to help.

    Later on a group of us headed out and enjoyed a delicious Vietnamese meal and a local restaurant. We knew it was very local as we were the only westerners eating there, even the menu was all in Vietnamese. Luckily a kind man who was eating next to us was able to translate it into English for us. However, we almost had a confusion with the order and nearly ended up eating dog which I was horrified about. Needless to say it was a close call. We then strolled through the night market which was bustling with people, locals selling all kinds of clothes, shoes and food.

    Having been tired from the travelling, we decided to head back to the hostel and get some rest. Having wanted a good sleep, I was woken up in the middle of the night and had my first proper ill experience of SE Asia. I was so thankful to Leena and Fiona who looked after me and made sure I was on the road to recovery in the morning when I felt bed bound.

    After being dosed up on ginger tea and trying to eat something, I decided to join the girls down by the beach to get some fresh air before our night bus to Hoi An that evening.

    Feeling more like myself, we got back to the hostel and before we knew it were on the night bus on the way to Hoi An. Having heard so many good things about Hoi An I was very excited and hoping I would be feeling 100% in time to go exploring the town when we got there. Despite being apprehensive about the night bus, I was pleasantly surprised when I had a good nights sleep, especially after my disturbed one the previous night.    Read more

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    Hoi An

    April 16, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    12 hours on a bus and we arrived in the town of Hoi An. Eventually we arrived at our hostel, all very sweaty but well rested. Having had confusion in finding the hostel in the first place, the place did not disappoint having heard to many recommendations to stay in this specific hostel.

    Not wasting any time, we decided to hire bicycles and went to a local bakery to grab some breakfast. We then went back to the hostel in hope that we could be shown our dorms and check in. The views of the hostel are amazing. From the pool and window you could look out over Hoi An and lots of rice paddies. After a well needed shower, we headed back out and over to the Ancient Town. Our first stop were the tailors, all of us choosing our items we wanted made. My bank balance certainly felt the hit after this visit, but hoping the clothes made are worth the money, especially as no one back home will have the clothes I have chosen to be made. It was a very exhilarating experience though, especially with my love for shopping and clothes I loved being able to pick anything to be made.

    We then spent the rest of the day wondering around the Ancient town and finding our bearings. The amount of clothes, jewellery and food you could buy was pretty much unlimited and I had to refrain from buying countless things on numerous occasions. It was certainly a shop until you drop experience.

    On the way back to the hostel we stopped off by the beach to watch the sunset. It was so picturesque and the sky was a variety of gorgeous colours. The scenery on the way to the beach was also amazing, the sunset being over all the rice paddies. The experience was almost surreal.

    Back at the hostel we decided to treat ourselves to a few drinks and ended up joining the pub crawl the hostel was hosting. The night was thoroughly enjoyable and we carried on until the early hours of the morning. We finished the night with a banh mi, a typical Vietnamese food which was delicious and probably tasted 10x better being under the influence of alcohol.

    I can definitely say that our stop in Hoi An had got off to a promising start.    Read more

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    Ancient Town

    April 17, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    For our second day in Hoi An it was a slightly slower start to the day having been out the previous night. We just made it in time for the buffet breakfast and decided we would have an easy morning by the pool.

    Due to the fact we needed to have our second fittings, we headed to the Ancient Town again on our bikes for the afternoon.

    When we arrived we grabbed some lunch and had a typical Vietnamese dish called cao lau which was a mixture of noodles, greens, pork and pork crackling, it was delicious! Soon after we finished we headed over to get our clothes fitted and it was amazing to see how they had transformed the materials into the clothing we wanted. With a few more adjustments to make it makes me extremely excited for the finished product.

    Due to it being late afternoon, we wondered around the main town and found some yummy treats. My favourite was a warm donut rolled in sugar, it was absolutely divine. With Hoi An being full of coffee shops, we decided it would be rude not to go have one. We tried a speciality, iced coffee with coconut which was delightful, the sweet of the coconut balancing out the strong taste of the coffee. However, due to it getting dark we thought it would be best to head back, picking up a banh mi on the way.

    Back at the hostel we had a well deserved shower and thought it would be a good idea to have a chill night with a busy day planned tomorrow. After two intense days I was very much in need of some chill time.    Read more

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    Kim Bong

    April 18, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Deciding to be slightly more touristy we joined a free tour that is run by local students who want to improve their English. Our tour guide was superb and one of the best guides I've had in my time in Vietnam.

    The tour was around a local village in Hoi An called Kim Bong Village. Our first stop was at the local boat making business which built both fishing boats and boats for tourists. The eyes on the boats are pointy to protect the boat against evils of the water and are typically found only in north Vietnam rather than the south.

    Our next stop was a local home where they make sea grass sleeping mats, all of us in turn having a go. We also went to another local home and tried rice paper cakes which were surprisingly delicious. Here, anyone who wanted could have a try at making the rice paper. It was an easy task but repetitive and can imagine it gets quite laborious after a while.
    After stopping off at a hand made crafts shop it was time for the tour to end.

    Needing to get another fitting for our clothes we stopped by the old town and then headed back to the hostel to enjoy the rest of the day's sun.

    For the evening in the hostel it was tropical themed which allowed us to wear some questionable outfits. However the evening ended up with all of us being thrown in the pool finishing the evening soaked.    Read more

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    Farewell Hoi An

    April 19, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    For our last full day in Hoi An we decided to take it easy, spending the morning by the pool and enjoying the hostel we were in and catching some rays.

    However, we needed to go get our last fittings for our clothes. 3rd time round and we were all extremely happy with our purchases. Having bought so much during my time I was already having to send $40 worth of clothes back home, ooops.

    We then decided to head to the beach in time for sunset which was gorgeous. We strolled along the beach but had to finish up shortly in order to be back for the pub quiz at the hostel. Heading back we picked up a Banh Mi for dinner, which was one of our best yet! I also found myself a furry friend, a little kitten who decided to fall asleep on me... so adorable.

    Full and satisfied we joined the pub quiz, however we failed miserably, knowing very few answers to any of the questions. However, being our last night we didn't let this dampen our spirits and headed out on the pub crawl that we had joined on our first night.

    With a fun last night and having fallen in love with Hoi An it was time to say our goodbyes.    Read more

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    Hai Van Pass

    April 20, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Ditching the bus, our normal transportation, we did the route from Hoi An to Hue on the back of motor bikes. I can honestly say this day was one of the most memorable experiences and one that should be on everyone's bucket list.

    Our drivers picked us up at 9.30am and we pretty much hit the road immediately. The first stop was marble mountain, which gave you a beautiful viewpoint of Da Nang and Hoi An. It was a breathtaking sight and loved all the marble sculptures at the bottom of the mountain.

    Further along the road we stopped off at a fishing beach. It was so quiet and peaceful, also an opportunity for a few photos. Heading out the city you could definitely see how the area around was becoming more scenic and less built up. Entering the mountainous area which is famously known as the Hai Van Pass, the route Top Gear did in one of their episodes and only when you are actually there can you appreciate the beauty of this country. We stopped off at another 3 points, a cove, Lang Co and a waterfall known as Elephant Falls, where you could swim in the water.

    As we got closer to Hue we were accompanied by paddy fields either side of us which created the true typical Vietnamese backdrop for our journey which were spectacular.

    Arriving into Hue it was certainly busier on the roads. We arrived at our homestay hostel exhausted but having had a great day.

    If anything could make you fall in love with Vietnam, this trip couldn't do the country more justice.    Read more

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    Hue

    April 21, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C

    In Hue the main attraction is the Imperial City so our plan for the day was to spend it there. This was a location that was heavily bombed by the French and a battle ground during the war. However there's been a lot of reconstruction of the place in order to see what it would have been like when it was previously built.

    Having heard that Hue was extremely hot, as its located far away from a large body of water we didn't really register this until we were wondering around in 38 degree heat. Safe to say we struggled and after 2 hours decided it was time for a cold beer and a sit down.

    After grabbing lunch at a local restaurant and a delicious milkshake from another cafe it was time for us to head back to the hostel and pack up our things in time for our bus to Phong Nha, the national park. Here, a lot of bombs were dropped during the Vietnam war and was where the main transportation route for the Vietnamese was. Its also a beautiful location with amazing scenery and lots of natural caves.    Read more

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    Phong Nha

    April 22, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    Another early start and we hit the road off into the national park of Phong Nha. The first place we visited was the 8 Lady Temple, named after the 8 women who were trapped and died in the cave as they got blocked in and starved. The temple was created in memory of them. People still go pay respect to them today.

    The main road that runs through the park used to be the passage way used by the Vietnamese in the war to transport supplies from North to South, hence the area was heavily bombed by Americans. But due to the trail being covered by a canopy of trees it made it very hard for the Americans to find it from a birds eye view.

    Next we travelled through the gorgeous scenery to Paradise Cave. There was an unexpected trek up to the cave but despite being covered in sweat it was worth it. The cave was enormous, one of the most impressive sights I've ever seen, no photography could capture the shear size of the cave. Walking through the cave it just seemed to go on forever.

    Heading through more beautiful scenery we arrived at Dark Cave. The first thing we did was indulge in a huge meal of meats, noodles and rice and oh wow did it hit the spot. Then we headed into the Dark Cave via a zip line which was such fun. Entering the cave we trekked deep into it and ended up at a mud bath. I have to say it was a strange but very cool experience and because of the thickness of the substance you floated in the mud.

    Back out of the cave we kayaked back to land and having it been raining we were all very cold but waiting for us was some rum and coke to warm us up.

    Getting back to hostel we had a long warm shower after a busy day and a much needed early night.    Read more

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    Pub with cold beer

    April 23, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Woke up and had a chilled morning with a more leisurely breakfast and decided to go exploring by ourselves around the national park.

    Hiring bikes from the hostel we headed to a recommendation known as the 'pub with cold beer'. The first 10km of the bike ride was thoroughly enjoyable however the last 5km could be referred to as hell on wheels. We managed to find ourselves on a dirt track all up hill on a steady incline. This happened just at the time where I was actually beginning to enjoy cycling, but after that not so much. We arrived exhausted, sweaty and extremely in need of a cold beer.

    Having had the bike ride from hell on the way, we chilled there for the afternoon in the hammocks provided enjoying our cold beer. However the restaurant was also famous for being able to kill and eat your own chicken. But the thought of killing our own food may have put us off our meal so we just decided to let the workers do it instead and still have an appetite. It has to be said the chicken was some of the best I've had in Vietnam yet. I'm not sure if that was because of the quality or the hunger that had brewed on the journey there.

    Realising we could take a different route back along the highway we had a much more relaxing journey. Along the way we stumbled at a duck farm and got to help herd ducks and ducklings which was hilarious and such a treat, never having an experience quite like it. Finally we arrived back at the hostel for 6pm which meant free beer.

    After having something to eat and collecting our things together it was time to get on the nightbus to Hanoi.    Read more

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    Hanoi

    April 24, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    5am arrival in Hanoi and exhausted we headed to the hostel straight away and grabbed something to eat after our 10 hour journey. Lacking in energy I decided to have an easy morning, enjoying a nap and writing various postcards.

    In the afternoon, we showered and headed out for lunch, trying bun cha which was absolutely delicious and a typical Vietnamese dish. It consisted of noodles, BBQ pork and veggies.

    Then as a last minute decision we headed to the Women's museum before it closed, picking up various street food and goodies on the way, attempting to taste as much different food as possible. The Women's museum was extremely interesting and about different religions and how that affects a woman's worship routines, marriage riturals and bringing up kids.

    Having heard about a popular performance called the Water Puppet Show, we decided it would be fun to go. Although it was in Vietnamese it was lovely to watch and felt like a treat being able to appricate something that's so popular in their culture.

    Needing to pack for the next day, our trip to Mai Chau, we went back to the hostel. It was also good to have a catch up with Dad and nice to see a friendly face after while. Then it was time for bed, another day having flown by.    Read more

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    Mai Chau

    April 25, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Having not had the time to do Sapa, we decided on a less expensive alternative, Mai Chau. It's slightly closer to Hanoi but still has the beautiful scenery and typical rice terrace look and generally more guaranteed good weather. Having not heard much about the area itself, I was excited to see what it had to offer.

    Arriving there we settled in our homestay and had lunch almost immediately. The food was honestly incredible and I'm pretty sure I ate enough food for at least 4 people. Having finished the meal, all I could think about was how good dinner would be.

    The afternoon activity was a bike ride, probably a good thing in order work off the mass of food I had just eaten. During the cycle ride we rode through the large stretches of rice paddies which were absolutely stunning. It was also a beautiful day so we were extremely lucky with our views. We made one stop at a local village that had just been open to the public a few months where they made a large range of woven cloth, all a lovely array of colours.

    Heading back to the hostel at sunset was a gorgeous backdrop to end our cycle ride. Soon after we got back it was time for dinner and yet again they delivered the goods. All different food to lunch yet as delicious.

    Later on we had a treat of Vietnamese dancers come put a show in for us. They were such sweet people and it was so nice to see how much they enjoyed performing for us. In the end all of us even joined in and I'm not sure who had more fun, them or us.

    Safe to say I'm excited to see what Mai Chau brings tomorrow.    Read more

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    Puluong

    April 26, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Getting up to the beautiful landscapes of Mai Chau and enjoying the breakfast at our homestay, it was soon time to leave on the bus further up into the mountains for our trekking at Puluong.

    Despite the 'roads' being quite questionable on the way up, we arrived at our next homestay and enjoyed a delightful lunch of chicken and baguettes.

    Having thought Mai Chau was stunning, I was in for a treat with what was to come. After lunch we headed off on our trek through the rice paddies. From the moment of stepping out the homestay the scenery was breathtaking and I've never quite seen anything like it. No words could do this place justice nor any picture capture how incredible it is. Every 2 minutes you are taking in new nice paddies and seeing locals a work.

    Being such an untouched area by tourists many locals look at you as though you are aliens, which in a way is quite humorous. The area was also so empty which made the experience all the more special. Our tour guide said that in 10 years time this will be the new Sapa, which makes me sad as the beauty of the place is because it's so natural and non touristy. Sitting at dinner that evening I still couldn't get over the sights I saw that day, despite being physically exhausted it's definitely been a highlight of my time in Vietnam. And I know I say many places I've been to or things I've seen are a highlight but this was on a whole new level.

    The dinner served that evening was divine, everything tasting incredible and cooked by the family we were staying with as well as our tour guide. We then got invited afterwards to sit with the family while they ate their dinner and despite the language barrier it was a precious moment.    Read more

  • Zoe BennforsVietnamZoe Bennfors

    Ha Long Bay

    April 30, 2017 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    So wowee, where do I start... the 3 days at Ha Long Bay couldn't have been more of a treat and possibly being the best place to celebrate my birthday.

    After the hefty journey to get to the castaway island, I already knew we were in for a fun few days. We couldn't have asked for a better tour guide, Dan, who kept us all entertained throughout the duration of the trip. The island we were on really felt like a castaway with no Internet and contact with the outside world.

    That afternoon the activities included playing volleyball on the beach, tubing around Ha Long Bay as well as kayaking. Ha Long Bay itself is stunning and I can see why it's such an attraction. Luckily we had good weather for the duration of the 3 days meaning it looked it's best.

    The boat cruise was the day of my birthday and I couldn't have asked to spend it in a more beautiful location. Having Vietnam been so incredible up until that point I never think what I do can be topped, however I've constantly been proved wrong.

    The boat stopped at various points, the first time we all got in kayaked and went through the caves of Ha Long Bay, ending up in areas that had been used to film movies such as Avatar. The next stop was for lunch as well as swimming to a small beach off one of the island rocks.

    We got back, everyone's spirits very high, excited for the evening ahead. The evening was filled with lots of celebrations for my birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be with.

    Waking up on the last day was a sad realisation that my time at Castaways and more importantly Vietnam was nearly over. Safe to say I've definitely fallen in love with this country and I've had some unbeatable experiences but also met some special people who I hope to remain in contact with.

    Getting back to the hostel it was time to say goodbye to everyone we had met on Castways as well as Fiona. This was a very sad depart after travelling together for 3 weeks and she is certainly someone who I will be in contact with for the rest of my life and was a big part of everything I did in Vietnam.

    However, despite being sad to depart I was ready to see what Laos has to offer and what treats would await me there.    Read more

    Trip end
    April 30, 2017
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