Despite a dramatic turn of events thanks to Typhoon Yagi, our Southeast Asia travel specialist, Jessica Klauzenberg, found herself exploring the rain-soaked streets of Hanoi in search of a steaming bowl of pho – she ended up finding one of the best spots in town. In this case, ‘town’ is Vietnam’s capital where old and new live peacefully beside one another, from the intricate pagodas to the buzz of a billion mopeds.
Jess’ first sojourn out of Hanoi was to the wildly beautiful Ninh Binh where she was welcomed with a flourish to Tam Coc Garden Resort, a delightful enclave with striking views of the emerald-green countryside. After settling in, a very scenic boat trip was in order, followed by a hearty meal of delicious duck confit and pistachio creme brulee for dessert.
After a tranquil boat ride through Trang An, it was back to Hanoi to do a little more exploring of its storied past, stopping off at the fascinating Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison, before getting to know a few locals at a training centre for differently-abled people, where they learn to embroider, sew or paint.
Time for a complete change of pace, Jess headed off to the striking city of Hue (one of her favourite places in Vietnam). Jess could have easily spent a week exploring this pretty and very walkable city, but she had just a few days to take in as much history as possible. Jess meandered amongst ancient mausoleums and temples, admired the impressive Imperial Citadel and took in the beautiful bonsai garden. She can definitely recommend reflecting on the day with a drink overlooking Perfume River as the sun sets.
Next up, Jess travelled the vertiginous Hai Van Pass to reach the picturesque port city of Hoi An. On the way there, Jess and her guide stopped off at a pristine lagoon where families farm oysters in old motorbike tyres. One of the most memorable experiences of her trip, Jess learned all about how they fish overnight from a stilted house and took a boat ride over the water, where Jess enjoyed one of the best oysters she’s ever had. This was followed by lunch in the middle of the lagoon and more wonderful chatter.
Jess spent her time in Hoi An trying her hand at local crafts including lantern making and a visit to a pottery village just outside of the city, exploring its markets and cycling around the colourful streets. Jess happened to be there during the Mid Autumn Festival, meaning the streets were a riot of colour and music, which made her visit even more special. Jess also spent a day at the beach, which was just a 15-minute shuttle ride away – easy peasy! On her last night in Hoi An, Jess took a cruise around the pristine waterways and marvelled at the Japanese Bridge and the kaleidoscope of lanterns reflected in the shimmering surface.
For the final leg of her trip, Jess headed to the historic Ho Chi Minh City where she took a peek inside the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels and took a blissfully tourist-free cruise on the Mekong Delta. There, Jess learned how to make coconut rice paper in the middle of the jungle, and exchanged stories over a cup of tea in the heart of the Mekong Delta, only accessible via a tiny boat.
A trip filled with unique and very special experiences from marvelling at ancient relics to sharing a lip-smacking egg coffee in hidden-away cafes, Jess fell in love with Vietnam once again.
Why you should book a trip like this, according to Jess…”It is a beautiful combination of the highlights and secret experiences that will show you the real culture and people of Vietnam.”
