EN - Vietnam
Door: Lars van Lier
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Lars
28 December 2014 | Vietnam, Hanoi
First of all I hope you all had a merry Christmas and I wanna wish you all the best for next year! This blog will be a bit longer than my usual ones, because it's impossible for me to describe Vietnam in 1 A4. However, you all have holidays, plus it's weekend now so you probably have all the time in the world ;)
From Thursday the 11th onwards we've been in Vietnam. After the most uncomfortable busride ever, that lasted about 12 hours, we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, but let's call it Saigon just for convenience. Here we strolled around the markets and went up the Bitexco Tower in the afternoon, from which we could see most of the city.
The two consecutive days we did (half-)daytrips from Saigon and some further exploring of the city. On Friday we visited the Cu Chi tunnels from the war, where we learned more about the war and the brilliance of the Vietnamese. We also fired a M16 on the shooting range. On Saturday we did a trip through the Mekong Delta. We initially visited a pagoda with enormous Budhhas, and continued with a boat trip that took us to several farms where a big range of products were produced and grown (including different fruits and vegetables, coconuts and coconut products, honey, and more). In the evening we took the plane to Danang.
Unfortunately we didn't find Danang that interesting. It's a modern city with a couple of nice bridges, but that's pretty much it. We spent our Sunday morning walking around the city and subsequently took the bus to Hoi An. We liked this town way more. The old city center was filled with nice, characteristic houses decorated with lampoons and it felt more atmospheric and authentic. In the evening we met with our friend Bart (another friend from Singapore) and together we went to some bars. On Monday we decided to do a scooter tour of 60 km through the countryside, in which we saw the real Vietnam. Hard-working farmers working their land with either machinery or water buffalos in the beautiful landscape and people crafting all sorts of products in their front garden could be seen everywhere. It was a great experience!
On Tuesday we had the idea of renting scooters again and driving from Hoi An to Hue, over the Hai Van Pass. This is a famous coastal road through the mountains along the Vietnamese coast. The weather wasn't really cooperating, but nevertheless we had some great views. After 160 km we arrived in Hue, soaking wet, but very satisfied. Here we took a nice warm shower. In the evening, believe it or not, we met up with another friend from Singapore -Ben - and his girlfriend, and had some beers together.
The weather on Wednesday was pretty shitty (similar to a wet autumn day back home) and we quickly seized our attempt to explore Hue. It was nice weather to stay inside, so that's mainly what we did until we took a bus to our next destination: Phong Nha National Park. Since we arrived there late in the evening, we were too late to book an organized tour through the park. Instead, we were forced to rent motorbikes to visit the same places, so that's what we did. In the end we were actually happy to do it this way, because we could stop wherever we wanted and do it in our own pace. The park was filled with beautiful mountains with jungle, and huge caves. The sights there were among the best so far!
In the evening we continued up North again, this time to capital Hanoi. We arrived here on Fridaymorning, and after a walking tour through the Old Quarter at 10 AM we decided to relax for the rest of the day (except the evening). The following day we weren't very active either, and were mainly preoccupied with getting rid of our hangover and our terrible British roommates who thought they were Geordie Shore. We did go to the Ho Chi Minh Complex in the afternoon and planned our trip for the following two days.
Because skipping Halong Bay wasn't an option for us. This bay exists of 2000 islands and islets and is one of the 7 new world wonders of nature. The first day we were brought to a beautiful private island: Cat Ong Island. Here we got spoiled with great food and cocktails, and a luxurious bungalow with ocean view. On the second day we took a cruise through the bay with a kayaking break. The sights were amazing and all in all it was a great trip!
On Tuesday we were back in Hanoi and strolled around town for a bit more, and in the afternoon it was time to leave Vietnam unfortunately. Clément was heading for the Philipines and I had left for Luang Prabang in Laos earlier that evening, from where I will be continuing my trip alone!
I definitely won't disagree with those who argue that 13 days in Vietnam is not enough. We saw a lot, but there's even more we didn't see. But for me that's another reason to come back, because I love this country! It's simply got everything: a rich history, beautiful nature, everything is dirt cheap, and the attitude of the Vietnamese is very refreshing.
My next blog will dedinitely be shorter again, since I will be describing my 9 days in Laos, of which 5 have already passed. See you then!
From Thursday the 11th onwards we've been in Vietnam. After the most uncomfortable busride ever, that lasted about 12 hours, we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, but let's call it Saigon just for convenience. Here we strolled around the markets and went up the Bitexco Tower in the afternoon, from which we could see most of the city.
The two consecutive days we did (half-)daytrips from Saigon and some further exploring of the city. On Friday we visited the Cu Chi tunnels from the war, where we learned more about the war and the brilliance of the Vietnamese. We also fired a M16 on the shooting range. On Saturday we did a trip through the Mekong Delta. We initially visited a pagoda with enormous Budhhas, and continued with a boat trip that took us to several farms where a big range of products were produced and grown (including different fruits and vegetables, coconuts and coconut products, honey, and more). In the evening we took the plane to Danang.
Unfortunately we didn't find Danang that interesting. It's a modern city with a couple of nice bridges, but that's pretty much it. We spent our Sunday morning walking around the city and subsequently took the bus to Hoi An. We liked this town way more. The old city center was filled with nice, characteristic houses decorated with lampoons and it felt more atmospheric and authentic. In the evening we met with our friend Bart (another friend from Singapore) and together we went to some bars. On Monday we decided to do a scooter tour of 60 km through the countryside, in which we saw the real Vietnam. Hard-working farmers working their land with either machinery or water buffalos in the beautiful landscape and people crafting all sorts of products in their front garden could be seen everywhere. It was a great experience!
On Tuesday we had the idea of renting scooters again and driving from Hoi An to Hue, over the Hai Van Pass. This is a famous coastal road through the mountains along the Vietnamese coast. The weather wasn't really cooperating, but nevertheless we had some great views. After 160 km we arrived in Hue, soaking wet, but very satisfied. Here we took a nice warm shower. In the evening, believe it or not, we met up with another friend from Singapore -Ben - and his girlfriend, and had some beers together.
The weather on Wednesday was pretty shitty (similar to a wet autumn day back home) and we quickly seized our attempt to explore Hue. It was nice weather to stay inside, so that's mainly what we did until we took a bus to our next destination: Phong Nha National Park. Since we arrived there late in the evening, we were too late to book an organized tour through the park. Instead, we were forced to rent motorbikes to visit the same places, so that's what we did. In the end we were actually happy to do it this way, because we could stop wherever we wanted and do it in our own pace. The park was filled with beautiful mountains with jungle, and huge caves. The sights there were among the best so far!
In the evening we continued up North again, this time to capital Hanoi. We arrived here on Fridaymorning, and after a walking tour through the Old Quarter at 10 AM we decided to relax for the rest of the day (except the evening). The following day we weren't very active either, and were mainly preoccupied with getting rid of our hangover and our terrible British roommates who thought they were Geordie Shore. We did go to the Ho Chi Minh Complex in the afternoon and planned our trip for the following two days.
Because skipping Halong Bay wasn't an option for us. This bay exists of 2000 islands and islets and is one of the 7 new world wonders of nature. The first day we were brought to a beautiful private island: Cat Ong Island. Here we got spoiled with great food and cocktails, and a luxurious bungalow with ocean view. On the second day we took a cruise through the bay with a kayaking break. The sights were amazing and all in all it was a great trip!
On Tuesday we were back in Hanoi and strolled around town for a bit more, and in the afternoon it was time to leave Vietnam unfortunately. Clément was heading for the Philipines and I had left for Luang Prabang in Laos earlier that evening, from where I will be continuing my trip alone!
I definitely won't disagree with those who argue that 13 days in Vietnam is not enough. We saw a lot, but there's even more we didn't see. But for me that's another reason to come back, because I love this country! It's simply got everything: a rich history, beautiful nature, everything is dirt cheap, and the attitude of the Vietnamese is very refreshing.
My next blog will dedinitely be shorter again, since I will be describing my 9 days in Laos, of which 5 have already passed. See you then!
Reageer op dit reisverslag
Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley
