I spent 15 days here — using up every bit of my visa, although I could have easily spent longer!
I started in Ho Chi Minh and worked my way up to Hanoi. I had a blast — it was all one huge adventure, with crazy cool experiences.
If you are spending longer than a month here I highly recommend buying a motorbike (if you’re confident on bikes of course) they are so cheap to buy here and are the most popular form of transport in Vietnam.
I did the most popular things to do here, the museums and the tunnels , etc. It's a sea of motorbikes, creating perfect chaos. Learning about the Vietnam war was so interesting - I had no idea what a huge impact it still had on the country, some still suffering the effects of Agent Orange now.
It was heartbreaking learning about the events this country went through.
What I loved most about this was that you were just thrown into the deep end. There were no safety nets and ropes keeping you tied up the whole time as it would be back home — it was just like you were in a film. We all had near death experiences e.g slipping down the slippery rocks when walking to the edge of the waterfall and nearly falling to our deaths at 30 m high.
Canyoning is the main reason visitors come to Dalat, but Dalat itself is a great little town. It's super chilled and has some good smoothie bars!
This included an unexpected trip to the hospital for one of the girls — her leg got infected from the canyoning and she ended up on a drip! it was an eventful way to end our time together on the trip, consisting of visits to and from the hospital with the usual bag of grapes
I got you girl!
I came to Asia alone, this is my favourite way to travel. I love turning up to new countries on my own, the freedom to do what I like, whilst meeting incredible people and making new friendships.
You see, you're very rarely alone, you meet so many people along the way and if you're going in the same direction you have a travel buddy! This is what happened to me and this group of friends. We formed a tight bond and ended up travelling together for around 3 weeks.
Hoi An is the cutest little town! I recommend hiring a bicycle for $1 a day and riding around the town. The markets are great here and by night it's the sweetest little place where the town is full of beautiful lanterns. A cool thing to do; buy one of the little lanterns off someone by the river and lower it into the river. Remember to make a wish! You end up with a river lit up by everyones wishes.
The Hai Van Pass
The most famous road in Vietnam, and one of the World's best coastal roads, stretching along the mountainous coast line for 21 km.
We rented motorbikes from Hoi An to ride up to Hanoi. The trip was about 9 hours long and is one of the best memories I have of my life.
Once you've made it out of the hustle and bustle of the towns, you're met by the coast line. Here, you join the famous Hai Van Pass. It is the highest point in Vietnam and as the road curves back and forth, you're met with the most spectacular views.
If you want to see more, I recommend watching the Top Gear episode where they ride the pass... or of course you can go to Vietnam and experience it yourself.
What a trip!
Love always,
Em J
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