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Vietnam and Cambodia 2018
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Vietnam and Cambodia 2018

August 2018 - September 2018 Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 21, 2018
    We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    The first leg of our holiday.
    Not too many people for this flight.Our flight begins.

    Travel Day

    August 21, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Finally on holidays, we have been looking forward to this one. So many things to do in the first few weeks.

    I will keep you in suspense of our planned agenda, you will just have to follow and enjoy this vacation with us.

    It was a very early start this morning at the airport by 6.00 am for our 8.00am flight. We are flying Singapore Airlines for the first leg. The plane was half full so we had the seat between us vacant, which does make the flight more comfortable.

    On the plane we did what everyone does, eat, read, watched movies and before you know it we are in Singapore    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Singapore Airport display.
    Another part of the display.

    Singapore Airport

    August 21, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ 🌧 32 °C

    We had a very short stopover in Singapore just as well our luggage was going straight through. We did not have a chance to walk around the airport or go to the lounge. Straight off the first flight and a long walk to the next gate.

    Vietnam: the Hopwood's are on their way.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler

    Hanoi Airport

    August 21, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    This flight is very full so no extra room this time. The flight was only 3 hours so John did his puzzles and I read my book for a while and then back to childhood days of colouring. It is so therapeutic and before we knew it we had arrived. No one in customs so straight through, bags first off and our driver waiting outside. Everything going to plan so far.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Rooftop cocktails to celebrate our first night in Hanoi.Our first local meal.View of street from bath

    MK Premier Hotel

    August 21, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    It took 45 min from the airport to the hotel but we have arrived.

    We are in this hotel a few times during our trip, so this is home base for a while.

    Our room is quite large but like most hotels very badly designed. Nowhere to put clothes or bathroom stuff. The weird thing, and this depends on how you are about people seeing you in your birthday suit, the shower is in a large bath which you think OK (all good) and then you look a little more and realise that the bathroom wall on the other side of the bath is glass, not like the glass we have in bathroom at home but it is a window. We can see down to the street with all the people and motor bikes and across the narrow street into the homes.

    I think I will keep the blind down although to use the cord to pull it down John has to climb into the bath.

    We unpacked a few things hit the bar for a cocktail because that is what you do on holidays.
    By now it is dinner time so we went to a street food stall near our hotel a quick walk around before going back to the hotel.

    We have a big day of exploration tomorrow.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Local temple.
    Ho Chi Minh at his desk.Grounds of the Museum.Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.Soldier on guard at the mausoleum.Presidential Palace.

    Out and about in Hanoi

    August 22, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

    Today was our first full day in Hanoi.

    The day started with a cab drive to one of the main tourist areas.

    Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city by population. The population in 2015 was estimated at 7.7 million people. The city lies on the right bank of the Red River.

    From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam. It was eclipsed by Huế, the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802–1945). In 1873 Hanoi was conquered by the French. From 1883 to 1945, the city was the administrative centre of the colony of French Indochina. The French built a modern administrative city south of Old Hanoi, creating broad, perpendicular tree-lined avenues of opera, churches, public buildings, and luxury villas, but they also destroyed large parts of the city, shedding or reducing the size of lakes and canals, while also clearing out various imperial palaces and citadels.
    From 1940 to 1945 Hanoi, as well as the largest part of French Indochina and Southeast Asia, was occupied by the Japanese. On September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). The Vietnamese National Assembly under Ho Chi Minh decided on January 6, 1946, to make Hanoi the capital of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. From 1954 to 1976, it was the capital of North Vietnam, and it became the capital of a reunified Vietnam in 1976, after the North's victory in the Vietnam War.
    October 2010 officially marked 1,000 years since the establishment of the city.

    We visited the Ho Chi Minh complex which includes One Pillar Pagoda a historic Budist Temple.

    The Ho Chi Minh Museum which was constructed in the 1990s and is dedicated to the late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam's revolutionary struggle against foreign powers. The museum documents Ho Chi Minh’s life, with 8 chronological topics.

    We walked past the Mausoleum. This was closed, which was a shame so we may visit on another day .The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Vietnamese Revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. It is a large building located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho, President of the Communist Party of Vietnam from 1951 until his death in 1969, read the Declaration of Independence on 2 September 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

    We also walked past The Presidential Palace of Vietnam, it was built between 1900 and 1906 to house the French Governor-General of Indochina.

    It was constructed by Auguste Henri Vildieu, the official French architect for French Indochina. Like most French Colonial architecture, the palace is vey much European. The yellow palace stands behind wrought iron gates flanked by sentry boxes.

    All that before lunch.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Pagoda.
    Quan Thanh Temple.Lakeside walkway.Truc Bach Lake.Lunch.Carol photo opportunity.

    Lake Area Hanoi

    August 22, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 32 °C

    We then walked for what seemed like ages to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, which is located on a small island near the shore of Hanoi's West Lake. Unfortunately, it was also closed but from the outside it looked nice.

    We continued walking for a little while to a local restaurant along side Truc Bach Lake where we had lunch.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Each stall had an enormous stack of each of their items for sale.
    The aisles between the stalls were very narrow.Another overstocked stall.Dried seafood.Confectionery.Weird fruit which we were told is not for eating raw but for cooking.

    Dong Xuan Market

    August 22, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 33 °C

    We continued walking for ages and we were getting hot sweaty. Funny thing was that the new blue colour in my hair was starting run a little. All good and I did not turn into a smurf.

    Finally arrived at Dong Xuan Market which located in a four-storey Soviet-style building on the northern edge of Hanoi Old Quarter. It’s also known as Hanoi’s largest indoor market, offering a wide range of goods such as fresh produce, souvenirs, accessories and clothing, as well as electronic and household appliances.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Overloaded bikes are a common sight.
    One of many street markets.One of the local historical buildings.Overloaded electrical power pole.Market ladies preparing their loads for sale.John outside our Hanoi hotel.

    Old Town Hanoi

    August 22, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 31 °C

    Still walking but someone misread the map so we walked about 30min the wrong way. Now back on track we walked back the Old Quarter which is where our hotel is located.

    Packed with charming colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and pagodas, the Old Quarter is located in Hoan Kiem District. Its heart and soul is exposed in the ancient commercial streets which are named after their original businesses dating back about 1,000 years.

    Though most of the specialties cotton, jewellery, herbs, and silk have changed over time and have been replaced with a variety of modern-day commodities and services, visitors can still appreciate some of the original goods as well as get a feel of rich old Vietnamese customs.

    The preserved shop-houses that lie along these roads were built a little over a century ago and were constructed in their long and narrow style to avoid being hit by high taxes. Each has a street facing facade and multiple courtyards inside. The front part of the buildings is where trading takes place while the family occupies the rest. Though one shop-house was meant to be for one family with many generations, nowadays it is more common to see quite a few families jammed in under one roof. There are plenty of cafes, bars, a variety of restaurants, bakeries, boutique shops and art galleries in this historical area. The area now covers 36 streets.

    Back at the hotel for a little rest and to cool down before our adventure tonight.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Bun Cha
    Fish Spring rollsFried Spring RollsNet HueBanh Bot LocXoi Yen

    Old Town Food Walking tour

    August 22, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

    After our rest it was time to go out again, this time for a 3 hour food walking tour. Our group was small, which was great, 2 Irish backpackers and a New Zealander who now lives in Melbourne.

    The food tour was fabulous so much food, we started with a noodle beef soup, fish spring rolls, noddles with beef, dried beef and fresh beef with papaya noddles, fried spring rolls with 13 different ingredients made by a lady who has been in the same spot for 20 years, slow cooked pork with sticky rice, fried egg yolk and vegetable spring rolls, pork and vegetable spring rolls, egg coffee from the original place that came up with this type of coffee (as in Vietnam they did not have milk) and we finished off with sticky rice and coconut ice cream. Photos below are of a few of the dishes.

    Afterwards, John went back the hotel and I had a massage which was nice.

    Now ready for bed.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler

    Out and About Old Quarter

    August 23, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Today was a little later start than other days as it is check out day and we will not be collected until 8.30pm tonight so we are going to take our time today and investigate the sights in the local area. There is so much to see in just 36 streets.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler

    Traditional House

    August 23, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 32 °C

    The Traditional House is at 87 Ma May Street, Hanoi and was built the late in the 20th century. The house is intact with the typical architecture of ancient houses.

    The house consists of two main blocks linked together by a square yard in the middle on the ground floor, and a small balcony on the 1st floor. The yard is at the centre of the building to moderate the air and provide the house with sunlight and cool winds. The balcony above is an ideal place to put small plants, flower pots for the owner’s interest and relaxation.

    The room on the ground floor, which is street front, is used for selling goods and the room on the next floor is living room to host the guests and worship.

    The room which is behind and linked to the living room by a balcony is a bedroom. On the ground floor, all the space at the back is for production activities, the kitchen and bathroom.

    All of the walls in this house were painted with typical yellow color like other ancient Hanoi houses, and all furniture, decoration items are preserved in good condition.

    Though being restored in 1999, this house still remains real an ancient beauty in itself.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Entrance to the bridge.
    Outside the temple.Statue of the turtle in the legend.View from the temple.Bridge to the temple.

    Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple

    August 23, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 33 °C

    We continued walking through the Old Quarter looking in a few shops for souvenirs on our way to Hoan Kiem Lake so we could visit more historical sites.

    The Huc Bridge is a beautiful bridge construction built to connect the Ngoc Son Temple located in the heart of Hoan Kiem Lake and the lake bank. You must cross The Huc bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple. The bridge is painted in the bright red colour so it looks like a charming silk strip across the blue water. The Huc bridge means to keep the beautiful light of the sun.

    After you cross the bridge you enter Ngoc Son Temple which was built in the 18th century on Jade Island in the centre of the Lake of the Returned Sword or Hoan Kiem Lake. Legend describes how an emperor was once given a magical sword which helped him defeat the Chinese Ming Dynasty and in doing so saw the return of the Golden Turtle God to the lake.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    The entrance to the theatre.
    The stage. The puppeteers are located behind the curtain and move the puppets by long bamboo poles.The puppeteers.

    Traditional Water Puppet Show

    August 23, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 34 °C

    We then crossed the road to watch a slightly weird water puppet show.

    Water puppetry is making puppets appear to dance on water and is a tradition which originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam that dates back to the 11th century.
    Today's Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition.

    The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The shows is performed in a waist-deep pool. A large bamboo rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers who are hidden behind a screen to control them making the puppets move over the water.

    When the rice fields flooded the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    St Joseph's Cathedral.They carry everything by bike, even the kitchen sink.The two of us skinny passengers surely an easy ride for the cyclist.

    Cycle Rickshaw Tour

    August 23, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 34 °C

    After the puppet show we decided rather than to walk we would let a little Vietnamese man take both of us back to the hotel on a Cycle Rickshaw sightseeing tour for 1 hour.

    Every time you step out of a cafe, hotel or just walking the streets they ask if you are interested in a tour, we finally said yes and for the 1 hour our driver pedalled around we paid VND400,000 (about A$28) . The roads are flat but there are lots of pot holes and traffic everywhere. The driver did ask for an extra VND50 for a beer and we thought it was well deserved.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    My lemon beer coctail and John's local beer.
    Pastries from the street hawker.

    Food and Drinks

    August 23, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    When we arrived back at the hotel we had a few hours to wait around until our guide was to pick us up for our train ride to Sapa. So what do the Hopwood's do? We eat and drink of course.

    John had a Hanoi beer which is very popular here and I tried a lemon beer cocktail. The picture will tell the story but it tasted quite good.

    We then purchased some sweet treats from one of the ladies selling in the streets. They were very sweet and mainly pastry and sugar.

    Dinner was the usual Chicken Pho for me and John had grilled chicken. Not sure we will be eating chicken for a while when we get back to Camperdown Castle as every dish here seems to be chicken or pork, what a surprise.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler

    Sapa here we come

    August 23, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    Now it is 8.30pm and we are being collected by a Tour guide to take us to the train station for our train trip to Sapa.

    The train is very old. Although I was comfortable enough in a 2 berth cabin, it is not the Orient Express which is the way it is described by Vietnam Railways in their advertising.

    "Livitrans Express Train is considered as one of the most luxurious trains in Vietnam operating from Hanoi to Sapa and vice versa. It is known as "the cleanest train in Vietnam' currently.
    To bring the best feeling to each passenger who travels by train to Sapa, the New Livitrans Express Train is introduced with 2 carriages in 2 trains name SP1 and SP2, which offer 3 types of the train tickets, a VIP cabin with 2 beds offered to couples who love to stay in privacy, 4-berth cabins and 6 berth cabins. All the cabins are equipped with air conditioners, wooden furniture and special soft sleeper to comfort any passenger through the night.

    Was that the same train we travelled on?    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler

    Lao Cai

    August 24, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    The train ride was pleasant enough. John slept most of the night but it was very noisy so I found it difficult to sleep. Tonight I will sleep well I hope.

    Out of the train window we could see lots of countryside and water on our way to Lao Cai.

    Lào Cai is a province of the mountainous Northwest region of Vietnam bordering the province of Yunnan in China. The province covers an area of 6,4000 square kilometres. Our diver picked us up from the Lao Cai railway station to take us up the mountain to Sapa    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Hotel floral display.
    View from dining room.

    Diamond Hotel Sapa

    August 24, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Our driver took us straight to the our hotel but our room was not ready as it was only 7.30am.
    We had some breakfast at the hotel looking over the mountain before our tour guide, Mr Quong arrived to take us on our trek into the villages.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Rice crop.

    Greeted by Red Zao and H' Mong Villages

    August 24, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    The start of our adventures was a car drive up the mountain the Ta Phin Valley.
    Ta Phin is a picturesque thirty minute drive North of Sapa. Set within a valley with a towering mountain peak at one end, this village is alive with the daily life of the Kinh, Red Zao and Black H'mong people.

    When we arrived we were greeted by some lovely ladies from the 2 local tribes Red Zao and H'Mong.

    Ta Phin is a village of Red Zao’s people possessing a rich culture that has not been impacted by the modern life. Ta Phin is the nearest village of Red Dao’s ethnic group within the Sapa district.

    Ta Phin village is home to approximately 1000 Red Zao and 1500 Black H'mong and a handful of Kinh. The village has 13 hamlets and 20 or more many small communes scattered throughout these hamlets.

     We walked through the countryside and enjoyed the lovely landscape of rice fields, mountains, streams, and hill tribe houses.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Red Zao villager.
    Mural at local schoolLocal school we visited.

    Black H'Mong and Red Zao

    August 24, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    The Hmong are an ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

    The Black H’mong women are famous for making cloth from hemp and dying it a deep indigo blue. They wear long blouses decorated with batik flowers over short trousers, and wrap long scarves around their legs.

    Red Zao tribe, pronounced Red Yao or Red Dao, is the second largest ethnic minority in Sapa district.

    Their unique belief system holds elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Dao people worship their great ancestor Ban Vuong as their Holy Man.

    Red Zao society in Vietnam is a patriarchal with dominant men roll in the family. Red Zao women shave their heads and eyebrows. They wear a distinctive red triangular shaped turban, decorated with silver coins and red tassels. A square piece on there clothing symbolizes they are children of God.

    We also visited one of their local schools.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Water buffalos are a prized possession of the local farmers.
    The thatched roofing is made of large timber boards that are loose which allow them to be moved.Inside a Red Zao's home.These huts have asbestos sheets for their roof.Fireplace for cooking and heat as it snows here in winter.Child riding buffalo alonside the roadworks.

    Treking through the village

    August 24, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    So far an incredible day walking though the village hamlets taking to the locals even going inside one of the houses. Certainly a day to remember for the people and scenery, however, not so much for the incredibly sore knees by now. We have walked 8 kilometres over some very steep hills.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    The start of the steps up the mountain.
    There are statues of the symbols of the Chinese zodiac along the trails.John alongside his sign, the horse.The lookout at the top of the mountain.

    Ham Rong Mountain

    August 24, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    Back in the car for about 15 min so we can visit Ham Rong Mountain.

    Ham Rong Mountain is situated in the centre of Sapa town and according to legend, once upon a time there were a couple of dragons were so madly in love. While they slept there was a biblical flood and but they didn’t know until they awoke. It was too late for them to escape from so they were washed away and separated and then turned into stone and due to natural instinct, the female (Ham Rong Mountain) always looks toward her lover in the west (the Hoang Lien Son mountain range).Shaped like a dragon’s head in the clouds, Ham Rong Mountain is approximately 2000 metres high with green trees and colourful flowers almost all year round.

    The path leading up to Ham Rong Mountain consists of many stone steps and winding trails. About mid­way, there's in an orchid garden with over 400 species. Standing on the highest point of Ham Rong Mountain (which we didn't continue through to) there is a breathtaking view over the romantic Sapa town.

    We did walk a far way up the mountain, apparently over 500 steps up and even more coming down.

    No wonder when we finally arrived back at the hotel I was having spams in my legs, I could hadly walk.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler

    Diamond Hotel Sapa

    August 24, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    Back at the hotel and ready to check in. All I can say is YIPEE we are both exhausted need showers and a rest.

    The room has a nice view over the mountain and a comfy bed what more do you want.

    After a rest went we next door to a restaurant for dinner and now ready for bed so we can do it all over again tomorrow.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    John helping Carol up the hill. Carol has worn her best hiking gear today.Carol will be entering the most fashionable backpacker competition this year.

    Muong Hoa Valley

    August 25, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    Today will focus on visiting more villages. I am hopeful for a little less walking but after a night's sleep I am ready to go again.

    Going to need a holiday after just the last few days. The mind is relaxed as it is so beautiful but the body well what can I say, I will leave that to your imagination.

    The Moung Hoa Valley from the top near Sapa is beautiful, lots of rice paddies and villages.

    Mr Kien, our driver, had his work cut out for him today. The roads are dreadful, driving down steep hills, around huge pots holes and dodging people walking along the narrow roads and traffic.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Traveler
    Local Red Zao villager.
    Inside a typical Tay house unique to the Ban Ho village.John having morning tea with the house owner, our driver and our guide.

    Ban Ho

    August 25, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    Ban Ho is about 20 kilometres from Sapa and it is divided into three areas: Ta Trung Ho, Xeo Trung Ho and Hoang Lien and home to the Mong, Dao, Tay people.

    We visited a Tay house and sat with the owner and looked around his house and drank cups of tea before walking through the village.

    The Tay people originate from Thailand and the houses are very similar to the Thai with the homes on stills. However, now as tourism is so popular they have converted the downstairs to living areas with the sleeping quarters for themselves and homestay people on the second or third floor.

    The Tay are farmers who have a long tradition wet rice cultivation through intensive cultivation and irrigation methods like digging canals and laying water pipes. They also maintain the custom of harvesting the rice and thrashing the grains out on wooden racks, which they call loong, while still in the fields. They then carry the threshed rice home in baskets. In addition to cultivating the rice fields, the Tay also plant rice on terraced fields along with other crops and fruit trees. The most famous Tay craft is weaving brocaded designs of beautiful and original patterns which are highly prized.

    We had 2 lovely ladies walk with us all the way to the next village helping us over steep roads and the rivers of water coming from the hills flowing over the roads. Not sure but I think they may have been older than us.    Read more

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