Day 5 Hue

In bed early tonight after another full on day. After breakfast we were met at 9am by our guide and three motor scooter riders. After a quick demonstration of how to get on the back of a scooter we were off out into the traffic. Thankfully not as busy as Hanoi but still exhilarating. The tour lasted 5 hours and included a history lesson on the Vietnam war and communism thanks to our very knowledgeable guide. We visited war ruins, the American military base, the emperor’s palace and the very impressive emperor’s mausoleum, whose design and decor had been influenced by many European artists including Gaudi. We travelled around many country roads and back streets all with their own view into daily Vietnamese life. We also made a stop at an incense making village. Our final stop was for a vegetarian lunch at a Buddhist Pagoda. All in all a great way to see the city and riding the scooters was so much fun. Back at the hotel we relaxed with a swim in the pool and a drink in the roof top bar. Our dinner tonight was at a restaurant where we all ordered set menus which were platters of numerous Vietnamese delicacies including spring rolls, seafoods, stuffed rice pancake, and nam, bro and loc and a sticky rice cake. It was all delicious and we needed the walk back to the hotel after it. A great day- loving this tour as it is such a good mix of organised activities and our own free time.Read more