Top Sites in Vietnam

Vietnam has some amazing sites to see. It is one of our favorite countries that we have ever visited.  We spent 30 days in Vietnam and it was barely enough time to see everything that this diverse nation has to offer.  From great natural wonders to fantastic shopping, mountain adventures and chilling beach life, Vietnam has something to offer for everyone.

Once you get passed aggressive nature of the touts on the street, it can be a wonderful and fulfilling travel.  The people will soon win over your hearts and it will become one of your top travel destinations like it is ours.

Ha Long Bay

Halong Bay Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is definitely the number one attraction on any one’s list of sites to see in Vietnam.  Located about 165 km East of Hanoi on the Gulf of Tonkin.  It is a spectacular destination.  You can book a two night, 3 day cruise from Hanoi at any hotel or hostel.   Tours range in price but start at $80 per person and rise drastically for more luxurious cruises.

Halong bay consists of almost two thousand islands.  Giant limestone karst formations just out of the sea for as far as the eye can see.  You will witness this natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Sight up close and personal from your wooden cruise liner.

Relax on the top deck of your beautiful Junk Boat.  A classic Chinese sailboat made of teak, as the crew prepares your dinner.  You won’t go hungry out on the water, a feast of seafood, fresh vegetables and traditionally Vietnamese dishes awaits you. You will be served breakfast, lunch and dinner while enjoying local beer and wine.

You will anchor overnight right in the middle of this mountain range on the sea watching the sun descend below the horizon. When the mist rolls in, Ha Long Bay is spectacular.

The tour consists of exploring Cat Ba Island, kayaking and snorkeling and touring Sung Sot Cave (cave of surprises), the largest and most spectacular cave in all of Ha Long.  While it is over developed for tourism complete with lighting and paved walkways, it is still an impressive sight and the view of Ha Long from an opening from above is well worth the visit.

Sapa

Rice Terrace Sapa

Located in the North West Corner of Vietnam, Sapa is a must for anyone wanting to add a little adventure into their travels while in Vietnam.  Book a tour from Hanoi, or catch a train north to Lao Cai and find a guide to take you deep into the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range.  Sapa has become a little overcrowded with tourists, but if you book a multi-day trek to stay in a home stay with one of the ethnic minority peoples, you will get a feel for traditional life and will be far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Sapa for an authentic experience.

The giant rice terraces cascade down the mountains as the sun reflects in their pools of water.  You will trek right on the ledge of these terraces following your guide through every corner where it feels as if you are in the middle of a National Geographic issue.  The days are physical as the climbs are steep, but you will be rewarded with a feast of rice and vegetables, meats and stews at the end of the day as your hosts prepare dinner over an open fire.

Hoi An

Our Seamstress in Hoi An

Ever wanted an Armani suite or designer dress?  Or are your tastes more practical and you are looking for trekking pants or a new shirt?  Hoi An is a town in Central Vietnam that attracts tourists for its tailor made clothing.  Even if you think that you don’t need a new wardrobe, once you arrive at this picturesque town on the South China Sea, you will be drawn into the excitement of shopping for quality clothing at extremely discounted prices.

You can’t help but buy an item or two.  The talented seamstresses will have you measured and sized up in an instant.  They will pick out patterns, show you catalogues and find the right material for the perfect one of a kind item that you will wow your friends and colleagues at your next function.

The best thing about Hoi An is that even if you a backpacking through Asia, you can send your clothes home from the post office in town and they will keep your measurements on file for when you are ready to order more!

Cu Chi Tunnels

Dave going into Original Entrance

Agent Orange, napalm and constant bombing wiped out the jungle during the Vietnam War but it is now lush and green and Vietnam is capitalizing on tourism. The Cu Chi Tunnels are the most fascinating historical site of Vietnam.   Over 250km of tunnels weave their way underground and they were the key component in winning the war.

Most Guides are former soldiers that fought on these very grounds and they will tell you in intimate details of how the Vietnamese outwitted the Americans while living right under their noses.

Entrances were camouflaged by termite hills, cayenne pepper was sprinkled around to confuse the scent dogs and breakfast was cooked in the morning mist so that the smoke from their fires could not be detected.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can go into the original entrance and crawl through 150 metres of a tiny, dark and damp tunnel.  It is not for the faint of heart, but you will get a small idea as to how difficult it was for the people that lived in these tunnels for years on end during the war.

Mekong Delta

Rowing in a Tributary, Mekong Delta

Trips to the Mekong Delta can be booked from Ho Chi Minh City and it is definitely worth the trip.  This is the part of Vietnam that everyone envisions when they picture the country.  Hundreds of tributaries make their way through thick jungle.

You will explore the Mekong area by tour boat, traditional rowboat and minibus.  The highlight of the trip is a visit to the famous Cai Ba floating market. Hundreds of boats line the harbor filled with fruits and vegetable waiting to be sold.  You will also walk through villages and markets, cross canals on traditional bamboo bridges and visit rice paper mills and sample coconut candy and rice wine.

The Mekong Delta tours can be a little touristy, but it is worth the visit to explore the backwaters of this famous area of Vietnam.

Mui Ne

Vietnam's Grand Canyon

It isn’t as popular as Na Trang, but Mui Ne is a beautiful beach area perfect for relaxing after the Chaos of Ho Chi Minh city.  Located North East of Saigon on the South China Sea, Mui Ne has everything for beach lovers and adventurers alike.   Perfect conditions allow for great kite surfing.  Be sure to take a lesson however as this adventure sport can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing.

There are some amazing sites around the  area such as the incredible sand dunes and red rock.  You can take a tour that includes a visit to the fishing village and walk on the dunes and a stop at the famous red rock and fairy stream.

If adventure is not what you are into, relax on the white sandy beach and enjoy a massage by ladies with bionic hands.

All of these sites are stops on the tourist bus that travelers can buy open tickets from Saigon to Hanoi or vice-versa.  Tourist can buy a one month ticket with hop on hop off privileges to take their time exploring the country from North to South.  Price is approximately $32 US dollars giving you the freedom to enjoy the countries top attractions at your leisure.

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Strange and Surreal Travel Moments

Life can be pretty surreal at times. And travel is no exception to the rule. We seem to have some of our strangest experiences when we are on the road. Some of them are completely out of our control and we just have to hang on and enjoy the ride. While others have been completely our own doing. A momentary lapse of reason if you will.  Either way, they make for some fun stories around the campfire. Here are a few of ours in no particular order.

Dave Bathing in the Dongola Zoo, Sudan

Camped in a zoo in Sudan-We arrived in Dongola, Sudan after 6 days of cycling in the desert.  We hadn’t showered and we were covered in dirt and sweat. We weren’t treated to luxury though, we had set up camp in an old abandoned zoo.  Apparently a turtle still roamed the grounds but we never saw it. The zoo had high steel walls and nobody was allowed in.  It was pretty strange, because we were fenced in while the town looked at us from outside. We were monkeys in a cage?  This may sound a little odd already, but it didn’t become really strange until we all started bathing in our red supply boxes.  They were carried on our supply trucks and held all of our gear. someone found a hose, so we all filled up our little 100 litre boxes and took a bath.  Weird.

Dirty in Ethiopia, We Would Shower Anywhere

Showered in a Brothel in Ethiopia- Yet another African experience.  We had been cycling once again for days on end through sand.  Once we crossed the Ethiopian border, we camped in a patch of grass which we shared with cows and donkeys.  We had to keep an eye out for cow patties and at one point I saw a cow drinking out of the bottom of one of our trucks.  Our trucks carried our water through the desert in a big bladder underneath. They kept us alive through the unforgiving desert and here was a cow slurping from the bladder like it was sucking on its mums teet. This may sound like a strange experience, but it didn’t get wierd until we all lined up to have a shower at the brothel next door.  We raved about how amazing it was, your standards lower a lot when you are in the desert. The stalls were tin shacks with cement floors and cold water, but the pressure was good and we loved every minute of it. And we even sat down for a beer in the bar afterward as the “ladies and gentlemen” watched on.

Strange Sculptures in Namibian Campsite

Camp Site in Namibia-We approached a camp site in Namibia that completely freaked me out. I was riding alone and in the distance I saw a scary looking guy standing at the side of the road.  He never moved. As I road closer, I was beginning to wonder if I should turn back. But I was on the right route, I followed the flags, it had to be O.K.  Then I realized that it was a statue.  I was relieved, but then again, why is a statue standing alone in the Middle of the Kalahari desert?  I hope I didn’t make a wrong turn?  I kept riding down the long abandoned path and more of these creepy sculptures kept popping up.  They were set up in various strange scenes. Sitting on motorcycles, working at a wagon and perched on go carts and bicycles. They had these heads that looked like pumkins and every horror movie from my childhood flashed through my brain. I eventually made it to camp thank God.  I was happy I was with a crowd, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night if it was only Dave and I.

Shared a bus with a load of Lobsters -  This one was pretty surreal.  We got on a bus downtown Hanoi enroute to Vientiane Laos.  It ended up being a 24 hour journey. There were a handful of us waiting for the bus and we assumed that we would be picking people up at different stops along the way.  Well, we stopped alright, but instead of people, we picked up flour, rice, electronics; you name it, we got it.  We actually started to wonder if we were on a bus that was smuggling stuff across the border.  Oh yeah, I said Lobster didn’t I?  Dozens of lobsters wrapped in pretty packaging  that started to” turn” in the heat as time went on.  It was getting pretty ripe in there by the end and we couldn’t understand why they weren’t packed in ice. Were the lobster carrying something??? We’ll never know.

Loving My Clothes in Hoi An

Shopping in Hoi An-It doesn’t sound very strange, but in Vietnam, Hoi An is famous for its designer suits and cocktail dresses tailor made for a steal. Well, we were backpackers and our jobs at home never call for suits and formal attire.  We told everyone that we were never going to buy clothes in Hoi An. We just wanted to see the town and the sights around it.  However, when we were approached on the street we thought we would be nice and humor the sweet lady and go to her shop. We ended up spending $250 on suits, dresses,  silk shirts, pants and skirts we bought it all.  We stressed about our purchases that night and reprimanded ourselves thoroughly. When we went back the next day to pick up all of our clothes, we loved them so much, we bought more!!  That night again, we kicked ourselves again and again.  What were we thinking? We ended up sending a giant box home to Canada and speding over $300. That cut into our travel budget quite a bit. When we were staying at inns for $4 a night and eating meals for a couple of bucks.  Well, thats a lot of days on the road that we just spent on clothes.  What is strange about this you ask? Well we would love to know where our brains went while we were in Hoi An. (Travel tip-if you get clothes made in Hoi An, be sure to make them double stitch the threading.  It lasts better.)

Adorable Yes, but watch out, those staffs can be deadly

Being Stoned all the way Through Ethiopia-No it is not what you think….In Ethiopia the children have an odd pass time of throwing rocks at cyclists.  They get a kick out of using us as target practice.  We spent 23 days in Ethiopia, and each day we could count on getting a rock whipped at our heads or sticks stuck in our spokes.  It was nuts! Most kids carried these big staffs to herd their cattle and as we rode by, they tried to stick them in our tires to take us out.  You may think that it was because they wanted us to stop and talk. But no, even when we stopped and shared a nice little conversation, they would hurl rocks at us as we left.  It was infuriating.  They had great aim and they could run fast.  I would try to get off my bike and run after them when I was hit by a particularly painful shot, but they were long gone. They didn’t do this in Sudan, or Malawi, or Tanzania, or Namibia….so why in Ethiopia.  I also have no idea who taught them this, but as we cycled from the Sudanese Border in the north all the way through Ethiopia in the south, everyone yelled You, You, You at us. It is weird.  Not a hello or even a wave,  “you, you, you” oh and “give me my money.”  I was luckier than most, I had Dave with me to keep me safe and I didn’t get it near as bad as other riders.  Plus, we rode fast.  We were through early in the day, and it wasn’t so bad yet.  As the day went on however, people got hit worse. They knew people were coming and they were ready for them.  Here is a list of what happened to other riders in Ethiopia.  While cycling by, a woman was peed on, a man had cow dung thrown at him, another woman ran into a child and the town mobbed her demanding money and would not let her leave. The child was ok by the way, and after settling on a payment, she was allowed to go.  Many including myself were whipped with a bullwhip, and yet another woman was asaulted, but a bunch of villagers came to her rescue. Thank God. Most people are good in this world, it is just an few that make everyone else look bad. Unfortunately, Ethiopia is a very populous country and as we were cycling we passed thousands and thousands of people.  So the hundreds and hundreds that got us, made it seem like everyone was out to take us down.

Going to Bokor Hill- A popular tourist destination in Cambodia, we thought it would be a good place to visit.  We hired a truck to take us up themountain.  He asked us if we wanted to pay a couple of bucks more and he would take us on a hike to the waterfall. Sure, OK we said.  We hiked a path and then came out to a bunch of rocks.  It was dry season, and there wasn’t any water. No biggie off we went to the casino.  Another creepy place that is said to be haunted.  I don’t know what it is like today, but back then we just walked through dark hallways and looked at the abandoned hall.  It was a little unsettling. But the view was beautiful. I think they are turning it into a big resort now, I am glad I saw it when it was all run down and abandoned makes for a better story.  Oh wait, that’s not the strange part yet.  Our truck broke down at the top of the mountain, so we all had to pile into the back and coast our way down.  I remember the guys checking the engine scratching their heads and wondering what to do.  We decided that we would have to walk, but a while later, they came up behind us and we had no choice but to hop on. It was night time in the Cambodian Jungle, plunging down a mountain in the box of a coasting truck seemed like a safer option.

Bed Bugs in Malaysia, I have already talked about when we were eaten by bed bugs in Chang Mai, Thailand in a previous post, but there was something very surreal about this bed bug experience in Malaysia.  We were in Penang in a highly recommended guest house which will remain nameless. I was walking back to my room after a morning shower and I saw Jimmy the owner, squishing these creepy creatures leaving bloody smears all over the floor.  He had a big piece of wood and was swatting at them in the room next to ours. All the while, he had a big smile on his face and kept reassuring us that we didn’t have any in our room. I was so grossed out by the blood all over the floor and wall, that we had to get out of there.

Diving in Cozumel, Happy before we spent all that money

Getting taken to the cleaners in Mexico-We had just spent a week diving in Cozumel and were about to embark on our Central American Adventure. On the ferry from Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen, we were approached by a time share seller.  We know all about time shares and weren’t interested.  But they offered us $100 US Cash each to come and take a look.  We said, wow, we can go see it and make sure to say NO, collect our $200 and be on our way.  Well we got their and the pressure was high.  They kept throwing everything our way and we kept saying no. The price kept going down and down and then they finally said that they would give it to us for $1000 and upgrade us to the level where we can get African safaris and luxury tours for cheap cheap cheap.  We gave in and bought.  Right after I freaked out and wanted my money back to no avail.  We did get our $200 though and they agreed to put us up in their luxury resort for a week in Playa Del Carmen. It was beautiful and we were pampered staying in this incredible hotel.  We had just come from an all inclusive dive resort  and this one made that one look like a Days Inn. So we figured it all evened out in the end.  $800 bucks for a week at a luxury resort. Why is this surreal, we were supposed to be back packing in Mexico and should have been roughing it in Tulum by now. Insead we had white robes and slippers and were sitting by the pool bar. We cut almost a month of travel off of our trip because of that resort, but we still talk about how nice it was and to this day, we still get emails from that vacation club offering us great discounts.  They do have great discounts admittedly, maybe one day we will take them up on it

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Vietnam In 30-Days

It is a frantic travel from South to North Vietnam.  30-days is just enough time to scratch the surface of this diverse country.

First Impressions

We drove non stop from the border of Cambodia to downtown Saigon.  A city etched in my brain from all of the war films that I watched as a kid.  Women whiz by on their mopeds, dressed in white from head to toe.  White gloves, white hat, flowing white silk suits and a white mask to block out exhaust pollution.  Motorbikes span the streets in thick packs making crossing feel like a game of Frogger.  The city is a bustle with markets, food stalls, and nightclubs.  Where shopping is the main priority and dodging touts is a full time job.  Trishaw drivers won’t take no for an answer as they follow you down the street looking to make their fare and precocious children sell photocopied books for $2.

The Cu Chi Tunnels

The fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels were our first visit.  Agent Orange, napalm and constant bombing wiped out the jungle during the Vietnam War but it is now lush and green and the Vietnamese are capitalizing on tourism.  Our guide, a former translator for the American army leads our group telling the story of the North Vietnamese and how they defeated the U.S.  The caves were right under the Americans noses, literally.  They showed us how they would escape in the jungle and camouflage the entrances with termite hills.  We learned that they fought in sandals made from tires to avoid jungle rot and we learned how they wore checkered scarves to announce that they were fighting for the North and how farmers snuck food to soldiers.

For Those Who Dare
It was then into the claustrophobic original tunnel to crawl for 100m in darkness to get a sense of just how uncomfortable the conditions were.  The dim lights went out for a few minutes and for a while there and I had no idea where our guide was, being near the back of the crowd.  Earlier, I saw some lights leading to another direction and I was starting to panic that we had taken a wrong turn.  The tunnel system is hundreds of kilometres long and worry was setting in that we might be in here for a very long time.  Three bats flew through our little conga line in the dusty tunnel, but a few minutes later, we emerged drenched from the heat and covered in dirt.  I was feeling proud for making it through, and glad that I did not opt to take the chicken route near the start of the tunnel.

War Remnants Museum

Back in Ho Chi Min, we visited the War Remnants Museum, an emotional look at the effects of war and a fascinating display honouring photographers and correspondents who lost their lives covering the war.  We walked by the Armerican Embassy known for the infamous rooftop helicopter evacuations after the fall of Saigon and we checked out the thriving waterfront with luxury hotels, nightclubs and bustling river.

Mekong Delta Tour

The three day trip to the Mekong Delta is a steal.  Tour companies in Ho Chi Min City offer great package deals fighting for tourist dollars to all destinations.  For only $30 an all-inclusive trip supplies you with a guide, food, accommodation and transport.

Life remains unchanged here as farmers still bring their produce to the floating market and people still wash their clothes by hand on its banks.  Strong women row our boat down an estuary surrounded by thick jungle and we don conical hats pretending to be Rambo.  We are paraded from one shop to another set up strictly as a tourist trap.  At small factories, we learned how to make coconut candy and rice paper being offered a taste to entice us into buying a souvenir. It is all a little contrived at times as they try very hard to make you purchase something, but the scenery is incredible and watching local life unfold is fascinating.

Travel in Vietnam

We return to the city and buy a “tourist” bus ticket north.  This great invention allows us to travel from Ho Chi Min City in the south all the way to Hanoi in the north.  For $30 US, you can stop at as many places as you like for as long as you like.  Just hop off at your destination, and then when you want to move, go to the office in town and book a seat for the next day.  It makes traveling a cinch.

Beach Life

• Our first stop is Mui Ne.  A spectacular beachfront visited by very few tourists. Kite surfers ride the waves in its windy bay, women offer cheap massage on the beach that is so vigorous that it leaves bruising and the sunsets here are some of the most spectacular you will ever see.  The high winds whip and swirl the clouds throughout the day and when dusk sets in the setting sun illuminates the sky with deep reds and bright yellows.

• A short jeep ride takes you out to the town’s main attraction, the sand dunes.  Giant rolling hills of sand surrounded by green fields looking as though a bit of the Sahara has been dropped on the land.  We walk to the top in the scorching heat and take a thrilling magic carpet ride down its sandy banks.

• After wasting away five days in paradise, we decide that we need to see more ot the country and time is an issure, so we reluctantly pack our bags and head north.

Nha Trang

Next stop, Nha Trang, a far busier beach town with high-rise buildings, giant resorts, nightclubs, and fine dining.  This long stretch of beach is well developed and touts are everywhere selling jewelry, hats, t-shirts and of course cheap photocopied books.

We take a day to visit the mud baths to bask in its cool medicinal mud.  All of my travel weary bones and muscles are treated to a relaxing day of pampering and nurturing, preparing me for the days to come.  We will be going to Hoi An next, and I need to be in top form for the ultimate shopping experience.

Hoi An

Hundreds of shops vying for your business to sell you tailor made clothes whipped up in a matter of hours.  Chosing a shop can be difficult and we were standing in the rainy street confused when a lady approached us and said to follow her.  Reluctantly we followed her through winding streets and alleyways, when we finally came to her shop in the market.  We proceeded to pick out patterns and styles, while an army of women took our measurements, aided us in choosing material and colours from the walls of fabric.  Tailors work around the clock to please the many passing travelers and our new wardrobe was ready the next morning for pick up.  From cashmere suits, cocktail dresses and silk shirts to cargo pants and surf shorts, we bought it all for a steal and end up sending 12 kg of clothing home to Canada

Hue

After shopping till we drop for 3 solid days, we are off to Hue close to the North-South border Staying in one of its many clean and cheap mini hotels, we stumble onto Café on Thu Wheels, a unique café with its walls covered in writing from past guests.  We book a motorbike trip to see the sights and it is a thrill to explore the countryside in the fresh air.
Taking another trip to see some tunnels and old war sights, I grow weary and look forward to moving on to Hanoi, the nations capital.

Hanoi

A colonial city full of French architecture, sidewalk cafés, and cobblestone streets.  We explore its sights eating French baguettes and sipping lattes on Hoan Klem Lake, then book a tour to Halong Bay.

A wonder of nature in the South China Sea, where 1000’s of island jut out of the turquoise water creating a never ending horizon of mountains.  We explore the labyrinth on a small teak cabin cruiser, where we have our own private bunk and are treated to a feast.  Sleeping in the bay surrounded by these sleeping giants while looking into the clear night sky is a unique experience.

Sapa

The final destination of our Vietnam adventure takes us to Sapa, a mountain town near the Chinese border.  We stay with the hill tribes in the vast rice terraces and trek for three days in this rugged land.   The beauty is overwhelming as every corner I turn leaves me more awestruck.  Giant terraces filled with water glisten in the sun for as far as the eye can see.  Water buffalo graze in the fields and villagers dress in traditional hand made clothing.

The villagers live by the old ways, harnessing water from the mountain to use as irrigation, weaving their own material, growing their own rice and vegetables and raising their own livestock.  They are a people truly at one with the land, but that hasn’t stopped some of them from owning a satellite televisions.

Vietnam is a fascinating adventure with so much to see, you could easily spend two months exploring its countryside.

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