More Than Pho

We were excited to visit Vietnam because of the pho and the amazing hotel rates, but as soon as we arrived it became clear this place has so much more to offer. So many colors and beautiful things to discover!

Our first stop was Hoi An, and it quickly became our favorite. The lantern-lit paths, romantic canal with colorful sampan boats, the epic Hoi An Memories Show, and the coconut basket boats spinning on the water made it a great introduction to the spark that makes Vietnam so memorable.

Our next stop was Da Nang, where we enjoyed the lovely beach, toured a vegetable garden, and took a cooking lesson that deepened our appreciation for Vietnamese flavors. We also visited Ba Na Hills, a mountaintop amusement park filled with wild European style architecture, winding streets, and the famous Golden Bridge overlooking what feels like the whole world. Riding the gondola up into the mountains was unforgettable. The Ba Na cable car is the longest in the world, stretching nearly four miles up the hillside.

Then we were off to Hanoi and Cat Ba Island. The highlight was a three hour kayak adventure over glassy water surrounded by towering limestone islands. Our beautiful room was just $26 a night, and all of our meals together cost us just $53 for three days. We capped it all off with a hike up Ngự Lâm Peak in Cat Ba National Park, where the view across the jungle was breathtaking.

We are so grateful for the memories here and for the handful of flowers now pressed in our flower press, waiting for the project we’ll create when we get home.Read more