Hanoi
May 9, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ 36 °C
My first time traveling alone to another country for tourism, I went to visit Huong in Hanoi, Vietnam. Just before getting on the flight, my Airbnb host cancelled last minute due to some time misunderstanding and I had to ask Huong to book me a place. I had some of her important things with me from her time in Japan that I offered to help give back. I arrived pretty late and had a taxi driver approach me. Huong talked to the driver through my phone and I ended up in a taxi with him and got dropped me off in some shady area. I ended up in a car with two guys that were pretty suspicious looking as well. I thought I got tangled up in some Vietnamese gangsters, heck they probably were. We communicated via Google Translate and had some fun conversations and they helped me find my hostel and knocked hard on the locked gate for me. The hostel started to get noisy around early morning because of the construction since 5AM. Huong arrived around 9 and I stepped foot outside to see Hanoi for the first time in daylight.
It was beautiful, morning air was fresh and there was still some fog around and I rode behind Huong on her scooter as she took me to eat pho for breakfast. It was pretty good, afterwards, I went ahead and booked a very nice hotel for myself and we transferred there as I do not want to spend another night in the hostel. I do remember getting scammed some money from the taxi driver but doesn’t really matter. We had a very good Vietnamese lunch, different types of food, all delicious. We went to see some sights including the lake, the library, the folk museum and I think the national museum. It had these huge giant houses. I tried to ride the scooter but failed. Afterwards, we went to try bun, some kind of beef pho. We tried to go to this good restaurant but I think it was closed down. Riding around Hanoi with the scooter was very frightening and wild but it was also very fun to see how traffic flowed. To end the night, we watched the water puppet show, it was really unique even though I didn’t understand anything.Read more
Trang An
May 10, 2019 in Vietnam
The next morning, Huong showed up at my place. I overslept and she got mad but we made it and had banh mi for breakfast. It was really filling, we waited a while for our bus to Trang An, a Unesco world heritage site. Waiting for the bus was really fun as while I was walking around the park I really got to see the life of the Vietnamese people, they had salsa dancing, fishermen, and just people doing general park stuff. We got on a really good bus with comfy seats and free water and went to Trang An, it was a river boat ride around a series of caves and surrounded by lush greenery and mountains. We had two people with us in the back, we didn’t know them yet but we did share some jokes and conversations. The boat stopped by a few islands and we walked and looked around. There were temples and jungles and fish. Going inside the caves was quite suffocating, we had to bend over to not get hit.
We did become friends with the people behind us, Justin from San Francisco and Kevin from Switzerland. They told me about their life and how much they traveled like their trip to Bolivia and other countries and they were doing it for months at a time. Such a thing sounded impossible to me before but it made such a strong impact on me and right there and then I decided to try to emulate that lifestyle and see as much of this world as I can while I’m still young. We went to have lunch afterwards, goat meat, they paid for it. It was a spontaneous trip but they invited us to go see the tallest pagoda that was in the area and they let us ride behind their motorcycles, I navigated the Google Maps while Kevin drove the bike. Huong was with Justin.Read more
Gia Sinh
May 10, 2019 in Vietnam
We arrived at the Bai Dinh temple complex, it was huge. Not much people, we went through the temple grounds and a labyrinth of monk statues, there was a lake as well. The pagoda was indeed very tall. We climbed up and the views were awesome. However it was getting late and I had to catch my flight back to Tokyo so we pardoned ourselves and tried to find our way back while getting lost a few times. In the end, we made it outside and bought some coconut juice, we ran into the guys again and had a commemorative photo. We somehow got on our bus and had a good rest heading back to Hanoi.Read more
Hanoi II
May 10, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ 23 °C
We arrived back in Hanoi and we ordered our last street food meal, it was quite delicious and we were just sitting outside on these little chairs. We said our goodbyes and I moved on to the airport. I was playing a lot of Super Mario Odyssey throughout the trip and in the airport as well and to this day it remains one of my most cherished games.Read more
Hanoi III
November 1, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Back to where it all started, the first country I backpacked in: Vietnam. Stepping foot in Hanoi a second time felt like a homecoming, I left Japan with an open heart and with a very much forward-looking perspective.
The moment I arrived at the immigration, I found the lines started to pick up. I found myself at the back of two familiar-looking bags. The Aer and Peak Design travelpacks. Two bags that I was researching on awhile back. It was the first synchronicity I encountered as I began my soul-searching journey in Vietnam. It was as if the Universe was introducing itself to me. My curiosity got the better of me and I asked and made friends with the fine couple. They were going to visit Japan soon so it was a great time.
I took a taxi to my hotel, Golden Time. I was dropped off a busy street as cars weren't allowed to enter this part of Old Hanoi. I was pleasantly surprised to find a street play going on, talented people they were. The first scene included an old man who I guess pretended to be a ghost? A lady in pink also made some expositions.
I checked it at my hotel, the receptionist was very friendly. The room I got was okay, it was a bit noisy and my sleep wasn't the best but I felt really at peace compared to Bhutan.Read more
Hanoi IV
November 2, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Thankfully, the karaoke outside stopped past midnight but I still woke up around 5 AM due to the time disrepancy with Tokyo. I started chatting with Huong and our meeting time got moved by another half hour and then another 20 minutes. I guess it really was Vietnamese time.
She was coming with her now husband, Tuan. Once I got to see her, I was super happy, it was like nothing had changed even after 4 years had passed. The first order of business was breakfast and they took me to an amazing noodle place that had just the best soup and noodles I've ever tasted. What a way to start the trip and Vietnam was already setting itself up as a powerhouse when it comes to food in my eyes.
I wanted to visit Hoan Kiem Lake and the nearby Ngoc Son temple that floated on its gentle waters. Oddly enough the two didn't know how to navigate the streets that well so I just ended up becoming the Google Maps guy for these two locals. We crossed the bridge together and noticed just how great the weather was today, with the sun shining and the wind blowing. Not too hot and not too cold too. The island the temple on was very pretty too with a lot of flowers and old trees entangled with the temple's main building. It seemed to be a Taoist temple mixed with some elements of Confucianism. I talked with Huong a lot while Tuan was on his phone for work. I prayed and expressed gratitude for a beautiful day and for being in Hanoi.
We actually weren't exploring Hanoi today but rather going to see some Ethnic minorities over at the National Village where apparently, a lot of them were. It was a project by the government where people from various tribes would stay there and they would get paid to do so. The taxi ride was long but Huong and I were able to talk and catch up for a long time.
When we got to the National Village's main gate, it turned out to be quite a huge place. Bigger than the Folk Village we've been to in Saga. For this one, we had to use actual buggies to get around the place which they had a pretty good system of. They had 10 stops so my plan to just ride the buggy towards the end and make our way back was not possible since we could only go forward so we had to start from 1 again. Well since we were here already, we decided to check it out. The first spot was dedicated to the Khmer and it had a beautiful golden temple akin to the ones I saw in Thailand, Theravada Buddhist style. What was unique about here was not the golden Buddha but the giant Bodhi tree behind him inside the temple which I thought was pretty cool. From there, we walked over to 9 and didn't see much so we started to head back towards the start again. On the way, it appeared that Tuan was busy looking for where to eat and we had to order in advance. The driver recommended we try the grilled chicken over at number 2 so we went there to place our order while we walked around. We chose to get some duck instead which will later prove to be an amazing idea for my part at least. We walked around the place and saw a lot of houses but not much people, where was everyone I wondered.
At the Nung village, we finally got to see some actual minorities, they were doing normal tasks like sewing, and it's from the Nung people that we learned that they can actually earn around 3 million dong per month just by living here. We also visited the Tay people, in the main hut there was a woman in green with one of their folk instruments. It seemed like they were about to partake in a banquet so we went out. Tuan got me to try some mountain rice which was really good, we were also getting hungry so we went back to the grilling place where we were served duck, spinach, and some rice. The duck was just too good, it reminded me of the lechon from Cebu. The herbs made it taste amazing. For Huong, she said it was pretty mid but it tasted amazing for me, another awesome meal just after a delicious breakfast. Huong and Tuan took a classic Vietnamese siesta and while they slept I tried to finish what food was left.
Soon it was time and we were off again, visiting the Thai village this time where there was supposedly going to be a show but it wasn't time yet so we moved to the next one. We arrived at the Bana village and it was here that I was fully satisfied, it made me feel like coming to the National Village was worth it. I was pretty happy seeing them sewing and enjoyed watching Huong and Tuan converse with them albeit there weren't any subtitles. I was wondering why they started to set out the gongs and drums and was surprised that they started to play the most amazing melody, akin to the Gamelan in Bali. I was mesmerized and had to take photos and videos. I was so busy admiring the drumming that I didn't even realize there was also a dance going on which was pointed out by Huong. I sat down with them and watched 3 ladies go around the main effigy-tree like thing. Huong asked me if I was satisfied and I told her yes, now I'm happy.
We then went to the next village where something seemed to be happening, the Xo Dang. Here we got to experience different instruments, the most interesting one was the bamboos where you would clap to make the sound, with four people around the bamboos, they created an amazing symphony that sounded too dope. There was also the bamboo xylophone as well.
After the Xo Dang we somehow found ourselves back over at 9, we went into one of the long houses and decided to go back to the Thai village where the main show was taking place. It seems like people from different tribes came here to show their dances and it was really fun seeing the various dance styles. The last one of the Lao people had all the other tribes join them for their dance and even the audience. Huong and I joined and danced with them.
I guess now it was time to head back to Hanoi, we got some ice cream while waiting for a cab and once we got on Huong realized that she had lost her camera. It could have been everywhere from the Thai village and we frantically hurried back together with Tuan waiting in the car. I started to pray some Ho'oponopono and luckily the buggy driver we used to get to the entrance from the Thai village was the first person we asked and he had not only the camera but Huong's bucket hat as well! Thankfully things were resolved quickly and we were off once again back to Hanoi.
Tuan fell asleep so Huong and I were able to talk a bit more throughout the whole ride. We were also caught in the rush hour and arrived a bit too late for the Temple of Literature. It was already closed but I was satisfied with just seeing it from afar. Huong had planned to take me to try some shellfish today and we took another cab to have dinner. I was still pretty full from the duck but once again, the food was just too scrumptious. I don't know what's up with Vietnamese food but it's just too good, the spices, the sauce, they taste so zesty and fresh. We had around 5 types of dishes from oysters, to different kind of clams but each one was just absolutely divine. They asked me out of all the countries which one had the best food and it's got to be Vietnam. I was completely floored with every meal.
We went our separate ways here, they recommended I do the walking road around the lake which would be very lively at night. I followed their advice and walked around seeing various performances and group dances. The lighting at night was also really nice. I had some main problems here and thought to ask the Universe to show me some signs, more than the usual angel numbers, something more meaningful and unique, to surprise me. The loop around the lake ended near the road towards my hotel so it was a perfect way to end the night.Read more
Ha Long
November 3, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
I was picked up by a guy on a motorbike from my hotel. He said he was going to take me to the bus which was outside the Old Quarter since cars weren't allowed in this area. It was another new day, I felt so good and so happy as we cruised through the morning traffic while feeling the wind caress my face.
I got on the bus and found an empty seat and noticed a guy sitting across me with the same hemp bag with the same familiar "symbol." I found it particularly curious and later realized that this might have been one of those meaningful synchronicities that I had asked for. I thought to myself: "Wow, the Universe is fast, I'm not alone in this," and just as I thought that a bus with the name Universe sped pass ours as I looked out the window. This made my mouth gape open as I tried to process what had just happened. More than the bag, this was beyond me.
I had a lot to reflect and introspect on until we reached Ha Long where our first stop was the Pearl Farm where we were introduced to the art of harvesting pearls from the oysters. Ha Long Bay's waters had the perfect environment for them. I was even surprised to see Mikimoto again after we had visited the Pearl Island in Mie just a month ago with my family. What was different in Vietnam's was that they show everything, live demonstrations, and the backrooms.
The male guide was particularly passionate about his work which made me even more interested in what he had to say. He even took me back to see the actual pearl farms around Ha Long.
We then went to the docks to get on our boats where we had a pretty good lunch, there was quite a variety to it but nothing to write home about, certainly not like the food in Hanoi. Our first stop was the Sung Sot Cave which was the second biggest cave I've seen so far in my life, the first being Akiyoshido Cave over at Yamaguchi. It had three chambers, each bigger than the last, the final one being the most impressive one. We had to hike a bit to get to the entrance, and a bit more while inside but it wasn't that bad as the crowd started to disperse.
We then went to Hang Luon where we got to do some kayaking around the lagoon. I found it a bit crowded but I still enjoyed listening to some tunes while kayaking around. I then went back outside the cave and out into the open sea where there was no one. A much better experience.
The last island we went to was called Titov Island where I got the chance to do another hike albeit with a crowd. The views were so worth it though. After the hike, I went down to the beach to feel the waters for a bit before going back to the boat where we had a sunset party with some snacks and drinks.
Tired and satisfied, we got back to Hanoi a bit late and I was hungry so I went to a restaurant called Met where I had one of the best pho I've ever had in my life. True, it was a bit of a tourist-oriented restaurant and the prices reflected that yet the taste also reflected the price and I'd say it was so well worth it. I returned back to the hotel and found my new room on the first floor, which was much more quiet than the first one which gave me much better sleep.Read more
Hanoi V
November 4, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
My final day in Vietnam had me going to Huong's place to drop off my things before grabbing breakfast in the form of my favorite banh mi. The driver didn't have change for my 200,000 dong so I just gave it to him, it was my last day anyway. Together with Tuan, we set off on motorbikes to a nearby banh mi place where I got to try some chicken banh mi and some ice tea.
Tuan was busy with work today so it was actually a pretty good thing because Huong and I ended up getting some private one on one time. We had a long time to talk during the long taxi ride to Quang Phu Cau incense village. I was surprised that we ended up touching upon manifestation and even Ho'oponopono as I told her my story. I later realized this too was another meaningful synchronicity from the universe.
When we got to the Incense Village, at first it seemed a bit underwhelming but once Huong got her non la on and I quickly got into photographer mode, it was actually a playground of grand proportions! One where we thoroughly enjoyed taking full advantage of, including the higher platforms. We also checked the back to see what the actual incense making process was like and even got the chance to try and make one ourselves. Mine wasn't that good but Huong managed to make a fairly decent one that even lit up. When we were done, we got on a taxi back to Huong's place where lunch and Tuan were waiting.
Once again, I was left astounded by the sheer deliciousness of the meal, just some fish and noodles but the texture of the skin, the sauce and spices used were just sublime. I was floored during every meal with Huong and grateful too. I showed my appreciation by giving them a little show of my breakdancing to Huong's delight. It was then time for a little bit of Vietnamese siesta as they both went to bed to rest after the meal while I had time to process my on-going journey.
Once Huong was ready, we set off to explore a bit more of Hanoi before the day ended. We went to the Imperial Citadel, Thang Long, where Huong was apparently a volunteer tour guide so I was able to get some bits of information though the mileage varies. I thought the main gate was it but turns out it was just one part of the complex, which consisted of underground bunkers used by the Viet Cong, temples, museums, and plenty of other sites to see. We got some ice cream after exploring the place and decided to head to Quan Thanh Temple which was closed but I got to take a photo nonetheless.
From there we went to Tran Quoc Pagoda. It was free this time around which was a pleasant surprise. The temple grounds and gardens were really pretty and at the back side was the hidden main temple which featured both Buddhist and Taoist deities, with a sprinkle of Confucianism. We talked a bit about Wukong here when I pointed out one of the statues looked like Tang Sanzang.
With some time left, we decided to check out the One Pillar Pagoda where I also ended up withdrawing another million dong to pay for the taxi going to the incense village and other meals I ate with Huong. We visited the One Pillar Pagoda where Guan Yin was enshrined and Huong and I prayed for each other which was really sweet. It was also inside the park where the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was, it looked amazing when lit up at night with red lights on it.
With everything done for the day, we went to find dinner. Huong suggested I should try the shrimp cakes which we put inside fresh spring rolls along with vegetables and such. We were even planning on grabbing some duck afterwards but this was more than enough. I wanted to end the day strong and give Huong a little treat since I've seen she was gripping with some body stiffness throughout the day so we went for a nice massage at a very luxe place. We got a couple massage since we both decided to get the bamboo treatment. They rolled heated bamboos on our bodies which actually felt great albeit a bit rough. Halfway through Huong was getting a bit too vocal with her pain which was so funny.
With not much time to spare, we had to get back to her place to grab my things and then to the airport. I was a bit nervous but I somehow knew it would be alright. I was supposed to give Huong the remaining of money, and save the rest for the taxi driver but instead of giving her 500,000 dong, I gave her 50 dollars instead. I also left my green pants at her place too, everything was happening in a bit of a rush. My taxi driver did do his job well after Huong told him to hurry up, I noticed just how on point he was, overtaking any car and switching to whichever lane had the most leeway during the highway run to the airport. Not knowing I had given Huong 50 dollars, I was quite surprised to see two 500,000 bills in my wallet. Well, I wasn't going to be using them so I just gave both to the taxi driver and his face lit up like a child during Christmas. I didn't even know he could smile like that, he gave thanks "Cam un!" and I was off. I thought to myself that perhaps that was a bit too high and I also ended up giving away 50 dollars but it was done. I was in time to check in with no one in line, I got my ticket and saw number 3. I was quite happy since it was really close to the exit but I realized as I entered the plane to board that it was actually a business class seat. This left me a bit aghast, I thought to myself if I accidentally bought a business class seat instead of economy but my e-ticket showed I did get economy. I took this as another amazing level of synchronicity done by the Universe and thanked my lucky stars. It was a short flight but at least I got some good sleep in between too.Read more
