Vietnam

November 17, 2016 MovinnGrovin 10 comments

Vietnam

 

Located on the South China Sea, Vietnam is well known in Southeast Asia for its beautiful beaches, rivers, and bustling cities.  It's a place, like so many, with a difficult history defined by years of war.  Originally colonized by the French, it is one of the few remaining communist countries in the world today (and we paid for it, literally, with the most expensive visa entry fee by far during our travels).  It's history and ever changing landscape was fascinating to us.  As always, so was the food!  In particular the bánh mì sandwich - a baguette (inspired by previous French rule) stuffed full of Vietnamese spices and inspired flavors - Sean ate at least 2 or 3 a day!

 

We explored the capital city of Hanoi and its centuries old inspired French architecture, sailed overnight to the stunning Ha Long Bay filled with hundreds of limestone islands covered by rainforest, swam in the South China Sea near the port city of Hoi An, and wandered the streets of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).  A recap of our travels throughout Vietnam...

 

the streets of Hanoi
the streets of Hanoi
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we watched as she meticulously set up shop for 15 minutes...
we watched as she meticulously set up shop for 15 minutes...
... she was the cutest, so we bought something
... she was the cutest, so we bought something

Per usual this side of the world, more of the craziest street food...

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we think one tub contained electric eels!
we think one tub contained electric eels!

Our overnight sailing excursion and kayaking through Ha Long Bay...

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Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
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colorful cave
colorful cave
heading back to port
heading back to port

The next day we flew south to Hoi An, explored the quaint port town and scootered along the South China Sea coast...

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Laura joining the evening tradition
Laura joining the evening tradition
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a local fishing boat and the South China Sea
a local fishing boat and the South China Sea

We spent more than a few days lounging along the coast before wrapping up our journey with a a quick stay in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)...

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It's hard to keep putting into words how much we have enjoyed our travels to date.  Vietnam, like so many others, was incredibly unique in its own way.  That's maybe what we have begun to appreciate most, how different everywhere and everything is.

 

The world has so much to offer.  Our next stop, in particular, has Hindu temples and ruins that are the envy of many others around the globe, it's off to Siem Reap, Cambodia to explore ancient ruins engulfed by trees and worlds largest religious monument, Angkor Watt!

10 Comments on “Vietnam

  1. Did you find Chris Farley’s famous companion? I know he was looking for his nose for a long time….poor guy! Anyway, enjoy the rest of your travels!

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