Vietnam
I do not think anyone can prepare you for the madness of the traffic in Hanoi and Saigon. You are thrown into chaos as you try to cross the roads amidst thousands of cars and bikes with little regard to traffic signals and lanes, but after a couple of days you’re an expert and you are mixing it with the locals.
The cities are full of life, but the remainder of the country is an amazing myriad of cultural and historical experiences. I was surprised at every corner – from the beautiful city of Sapa in the north overlooking the terraced rice fields; to the towering limestone islands and emerald waters of Halong Bay; down to the central coast where Hoi An and Hue are a cultural delight, a beach haven with beautiful resorts and a shopper’s paradise; and the Mekong Delta to the south which is a vast maze of rivers, swamps and islands.
I disappeared from reality for a few days and stayed at beautiful resorts in Ninh Van Bay and Vinh Hy Bay far away from anyone – at that time I could have been anywhere in the world if not for the incredible Vietnamese food that was put in front of me 3 times a day.
Vietnam is a foodie’s delight – jam-packed with fresh herbs and spices, it encompasses a huge variety of dishes – from the light, balanced flavours and fresh seafood in the north to the spicy cuisine of the centre and the tropical fruits and sweet dishes of the south.
No one area stood out to me – they all complement each other to make this one of the most fascinating countries to visit.
The cities are full of life, but the remainder of the country is an amazing myriad of cultural and historical experiences. I was surprised at every corner – from the beautiful city of Sapa in the north overlooking the terraced rice fields; to the towering limestone islands and emerald waters of Halong Bay; down to the central coast where Hoi An and Hue are a cultural delight, a beach haven with beautiful resorts and a shopper’s paradise; and the Mekong Delta to the south which is a vast maze of rivers, swamps and islands.
I disappeared from reality for a few days and stayed at beautiful resorts in Ninh Van Bay and Vinh Hy Bay far away from anyone – at that time I could have been anywhere in the world if not for the incredible Vietnamese food that was put in front of me 3 times a day.
Vietnam is a foodie’s delight – jam-packed with fresh herbs and spices, it encompasses a huge variety of dishes – from the light, balanced flavours and fresh seafood in the north to the spicy cuisine of the centre and the tropical fruits and sweet dishes of the south.
No one area stood out to me – they all complement each other to make this one of the most fascinating countries to visit.