Experience Vietnam
The first stop on our private trip was Puluong in Northern Vietnam. This is a stunning mountainous destination, and it is still under the mass market radar for now. The awe-inspiring landscapes, and quaint villages will appeal to nature lovers and hikers. If you want an authentic experience with fabulous food and dramatic mountain scenery Puluong is the place to be.
From Puluong we continued to Ninh Binh which is also known as Halong Bay on land and spent a few nights in Tam Coc a popular tourist destination and part of the scenic Trang An complex recognised by UNESCO. The best way to discover the fabulous scenery of this area is by boat, preferably in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun. While you are there, I also recommend visiting the Bai Dinh Pagoda Buddhist complex with its spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
When we returned to Hanoi, we met our group and guide at our lovely hotel centrally located in the old quarter. French and Chinese influences were evident in the architecture and the food in Hanoi, and when you are there, you must try the famous Hanoi egg coffee which tastes a bit like crème brulee, and the famous Pho.
Our group was made up of 3 couples and 6 female solo travellers, ranging in age from 30 to 66. Travelling in a small group is a great way for solo travellers to see the world safely.
For many years Halong Bay was high on my bucket-list and when I finally got to visit this amazing destination with the group on our second night it certainly lived up to expectations. Halong Bay is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone karsts. It is also popular with scuba divers, rock climbers and hikers. After spending the day exploring caves, swimming, and kayaking we enjoyed dinner on the top deck of our private junk boat where we spent the night. After a Tai Chi lesson at sunrise, we left this beautiful archipelago and travelled back to Hanoi in our private minibus.
A short flight took us to Hoi An, one of the highlights of the trip. It is known for its well-preserved ancient town with its mix of architectural styles, and the colourful lanterns seen everywhere. Hoi An is also known for its tailors. This is the place to go for that tailor-made suit or dress.
Another short flight took us to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as it is still known by the locals. It is apparent that Saigon has been influenced by the West by the amount of American coffee shops and restaurants seen around the city. While in Saigon we took a tour of the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels - a vast interlinking network of underground tunnels that formed the centre of operations for Vietnamese guerrilla soldiers during the Vietnam War.
Many of our group then continued their trip into Cambodia which I will talk about in my next blog.
The Vietnamese people are so friendly and welcoming, and the food is incredible. The scenery was spectacular and perfect for outdoor activities, and for those interested in culture there is plenty to be seen. I highly recommend visiting this wonderful country.
We visited Vietnam in September during the rainy season in central and southern Vietnam. This did not affect our trip at all because if it rained it tended to be in the late afternoon after we returned from sightseeing, or in the evening time. The “rainy season” also has the advantage of being less expensive and less crowded with tourists. Generally, the dry season is from November to April.
If you are interested in planning a trip like this, I can put together a tailor-made itinerary to suit your interests and budget or I can arrange for you to travel as part of a small group tour. Please get in touch if you would like to know more. .