Traveling to Vietnam was probably one of the reasons that engendered my motivation towards making 2020 the year of new cultural experiences. Of course, that didn’t end up being the case but as I dug through my photos of Vietnam, I started to feel those urges again. Maybe 2024, maybe 2025. I hope the photos selected here spark a feeling of wonder for you the way it resurfaced joy for me. I’ll keep this short and sweet because this memory capsule is bulky as much as it is culturally beautiful. Here’s what I did on the trip!
Navigated the frenetic traffic in Hanoi Old Quarter for a bowl of Bún Bò Huế before walking along Hoan Kiem Lake en route to Trang Tien Plaza
Kicked off a full-day tour of Ninh Binh, the ancient capital of Vietnam by visiting the Temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh
Biked around one of the most scenic and natural landscapes that the province has to offer, passing by locals and beautiful rustic homes by the water
Admired the rolling limestone hills of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex by taking a boat tour on gentle waters, through magnificent grottoes, and passing wetland flora
Climbed to the top of Hang Mua Peak to see stunning rice paddies and valley’s through the eyes of the almighty dragon
And took a breather in the middle of breathtaking views
Boarded the Dragon Legend cruise for a tour around Bai Tu Long Bay, with a few stops in the middle of the water for paddle boat trips to nearby island beaches
Ate some pretty delicious dishes but nothing beat the morning breakfasts of rich star anise flavored bowls of Phở Bò
Listened to the calming push and pull of paddles hitting the emerald waters during a boat tour to some of the floating villages around the bay
Paddled through island caves observing their rough exteriors before arriving at an oyster farm for creating smooth and rounded pearls
Participated in an exciting spelunking tour of a cave filled with many showy stalagmites and stalactites, and a pathway that leads to a sandy beach
And finished the final few days of the tour with some sunrise relaxation on the observation deck before concluding the trip with a water puppet show
Asia Trip 2020 memories continue into Phuket and Bangkok!
“People say that time goes by; time says that people go by.” - Vietnamese Proverb