Our travel specialist, Millie, explored beautiful Vietnam from Hanoi in the northern part of the country to the beaches of Mui Ne in the south. Read part 1 of her experiences in the country here.
Vietnam is one of those places that just grabs your heart and unapologetically doesn’t let go! My two weeks journeying from North to South were nothing short of magical, with the perfect mix of madness and charm. I cannot wait to return with my family and allow them to soak up the Vietnam effect, drown themselves in delicious coffee, and create their own love story!
Hanoi
We started in Hanoi and what an introduction…It was colourful, chaotic, and loud but somehow still managed to give me a heavy dose of Vietnam’s culture and elegance. Once I found my rhythm with crossing the roads…there was no stopping me!
Our first stop was to head to the city’s green heart and visit the temple of Ngoc Son on Jade River (Hoan Kiem Lake). Centrally located, this is a natural spot to meet up and is enjoyed by local Hanoians and curious travellers alike.
Our guide kept us in the loop by teaching us about legends of the emperors, the magic sword, and we even got the chance to meet a very old local legend "Cụ Rùa". I would encourage our travellers to bring their own offerings, so they too can be prepared and get involved with the symbolic traditions. You will have the opportunity to leave a wish on the wishing tree outside, witness some incredible local calligraphy, and even get a handwritten keepsake to remember your time here.
The Temple of Literature was another stop on the city tour. It was a true masterpiece and is considered to be the first national university of Vietnam. As well as the beautiful Vietnamese architecture, leafy courtyards, and ponds, it was the stone statues (steles) which grabbed my attention – I believe there are 82 of them and each one holds the names and hometowns of the students which passed the exam, which exceeds over 1000 names. It was really heartwarming to see students coming to take their graduation pictures in the complex but also to pray for good luck in their own exams.
Lunch at KOTO – meaning ‘Know One, Teach One’ was not only a tasty treat but an awesome experience to learn more about the social enterprise project which trains and supports young Vietnamese people from disadvantaged backgrounds and gives them all the training and skills needed for a fresh start at life within the industry! The food was fresh and aromatic and was served by the warmest and friendliest staff - proud of the restaurant’s roots!
The local ‘Cyclo’ ride on a traditional rickshaw was another highlight of the day – not only was my driver full of smiles and local knowledge but it was a fab way to explore the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. The slow pace was the perfect speed to do some people watching and soak up authentic local life and classic Vietnamese charm.
The Water Puppet show was the last stop of our day and certainly something which exceeded expectations. It is a centuries old Vietnamese tradition where your senses are hit with vibrant colourful puppets dancing across the stage, accompanied by local music and hypnotic singing to really bring the storytelling to life. Was it busy with tourists and locals alike? YES. Did I love it just the same? YES!
Aside from the city tour, it is worth leaving some free time to just wander Hanoi with no specific plan or aim in order to truly appreciate the warmth and vibrancy of the city. The streets were full of life and filled with families where young kids buzzed about on electric cars and scooters whilst parents watched on with some street food and drinks. It felt warm, safe, and something really quite special – I can’t wait to take my family back with me one day to experience the magic once again!
Ha Long Bay
Bright and early, we left the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and travelled onto Ha Long Bay which took around 2.5 – 3 hours and most importantly, allowed a morning coffee stop on the way, which had to be the Cà phê muối – a strong coffee with a creamy salted foam and the perfect way to kick start our tour day!
We stayed on board the Mila Cruise and received a wonderfully warm welcome with a refreshing drink on arrival before sitting down to a sumptuous lunch (serving both Vietnamese cuisine and also international options) and being presented with our adventurous itinerary to get the most out of our time on the bay. The cabins on board were comfortable, spacious, and with great big windows to soak up the views at every opportunity.
After lunch, we were able to hop into a kayak and really experience the completely calm and tranquil waters whilst we paddled around the different islets and caves. It was a really beautiful experience and I had to pick up my jaw off the floor a few times from being in absolute awe of the stunning natural beauty!
In the afternoon, we went on a mini adventure to Sung Sot Cave – which is the largest and most impressive limestone cave in Ha Long Bay. It is worth mentioning that all the activities we had were included but were optional, so if instead you wanted to relax on deck and enjoy the landscape, then that is also fine. I was slightly ill-prepared with just slider sandals, so I would recommend comfortable and sturdy shoes to be worn if possible by our own travellers. Inside the cave was simply awesome. It was stunning with the jagged rock formations creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere and a wonderfully cool environment to explore. When you finally make it out to daylight after your hike through the cave complex, you are rewarded with the most awesome viewpoint at the top over the bay!
Back on board, we had time for a quick shower and then enjoyed some happy hour drinks on the top deck and watched the beautiful sunset over the bay, which was the perfect end to a fun filled day.
After a fantastic night sleep, we were awake bright and early the next morning. Breakfast was an array of fresh fruit, pastries, and some hot options to fuel us for the next activity. The next stop was Ti Top island, a small island made of limestone and one of the few places in the bay where you can swim. We hiked to the top which was not too demanding but quite a hot and sweaty affair – we were rewarded with yet another phenomenal view of the bay.
The hike and swim allowed us to work up an appetite and once again, this was satisfied back on board with a sumptuous feast. I was really impressed by the wonderful array of cuisine on board and the freshness of all the ingredients. It was a gentle sail back to the marina and then time to bid farewell to the majestic Ha Long Bay.
On our drive back to Hanoi from Tuan Chau Marina, I couldn’t help but notice the enormous King Kong sculptures on our drive out and even more so – couldn’t help hopping out for a quick photo or 2. As a boy Mum, I knew I would earn some big brownie points by bringing home some Kong pics and knew that when I return (because it is ‘when’ not ‘if’) with my family, we will undoubtedly need to make a stop here – because let’s be honest, what trip to Vietnam is complete without seeing a magnificently enormous King Kong statue regurgitating a waterfall?
Overnight Train to Hué
We got back to Hanoi with a good few hours to spare and were able to go for a wander and pick up some snacks for the journey ahead of us – which we always recommend as better options and better cost rather than getting something on board.
I was pleasantly surprised by the cabin. It was clean and comfortable and the cherry on top was a little welcome package of water, bread, crisps, and fruit. I felt all ready for the night ahead!
The cabins are made up of 4 bunk beds and you can also choose to upgrade to a private cabin for an additional cost to have it be just you and your travel companions. Whilst toilet facilities are not in the cabin itself, there is a toilet per carriage – which was always clean when I used it en route. There was also a boiling hot water station, which came in very handy when preparing my easy dinner of a pot of noodles. The beds were narrow but comfy and had chargers within easy reach to charge your phones and set your alarm for the next day.
It is fair to say that it will not be the most restful night's sleep, but I really enjoyed it as part of the adventure – especially waking in the morning and watching the changing scenery accompanied by traditional Vietnamese music, which was a wake up call that I won’t forget for a while.
We arrived at Hué railway station nice and early at around 8am and as promised, we were met by our very smiley local guide – Easy.
Millie,
TourCompass – From tourist to traveller
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