We ventured to northern Vietnam, starting and ending at Hanoi with an overnight stay at Halong Bay. The second largest city in Vietnam, its capital bustles with horns-honking narrow streets with vendors selling buttons, toys, motorbike helmets and seat cushions to sandals, silk, and zippers. More gritty than romantic, we push through the maze of cars, motorbikes, and scooters, and watch where we tread on the sticky pavements. Remnants of its French colonial past contrast with modern yet abandoned construction projects. Bun chan (barbecued pork with rice vermicelli) and bahn mi (a legacy of the French, a baguette dipped in soups and filled with meats, pickles, and vegetables) and whole pigs and live chickens make Vietnam’s street food famous.
Halong Bay
Incomparable Halong Bay, boasting more than 2,000 limestone islands, offers magical sailing and cruises, both day and multiple-day cruises.
Kayaking within the karsts, lagoons, and grottoes in peaceful, beautiful Ha Long Bay
In addition to kayaks, bamboo boats escort tourists around the islands. Kelsi at the boating platform and fishing village.
About to paddle through the Trung Trang Caves in Cat Ba National Park
Paddling together made it easier to enjoy the sea eagles
Chinese luxury junk boats offer a luxurious and relaxing sail through the national parks. Activities included kayaking, squid fishing, a cooking class. We also enjoyed the outdoor jacuzzi and large tub bath en suite.
One of the multiple dishes served for dinner. Steamed bass with sweet mushroom sauce and bok choy with another mushroom sauce.
Plenty of food! We enjoyed dinner of crab cakes, fried prawn, oyster soup, steamed sea bass, and crab salad. Besides chicken salad, fish was served in every platter for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Drinking in the beautiful view with a warming cup of tea.So relaxing and luxurious. Without internet service, napping and sleeping in made for a very restful, restorative cruise.Keri participating in the spring roll cooking demo. Mixture of ground pork, chopped wild mushrooms, eggs, scallions, and rice noodles were rolled up like a tamale and fried. Kelsi on the 2 hour bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay viewing rice paddies and fields out the window. What a great cruise! Luxurious bus transportation to and from Hanoi and Halong Bay.
Hanoi
“Train Street” is Hanoi’s most famous tourist spot. A narrow street lined with charming cafes, souvenir shops, and apartments, in which a train speeds through every few hours a day.Cute coffee shops along Train StreetVietnamese Women’s Museum showcases the roles of women in Vietnam society and culture. Information is in English and French. The collection of fashion and tribal basketware from Vietnam’s 45 ethnic minority groups were interesting. Street barbers create their own barbershop on building walls.
Kelsi in front of French architecture in the Old Quarter
People come to Tay Ho Pagoda on the 1st and 15th day of each lunar month in the hope of receiving good fortune.Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower, a ramshackle topped with a red star and is often used as an emblem of Hanoi.Buttons! Shops cluster together selling the same wares, from buttons, silk, and motorcycle covers to toys and sandals.Plunging in amongst the street trade and local life
Hanoi Street Food
Street vendors selling hot dogs on skewers, pineapple, cucumber, and rose apples.Fried shrimp cakes are a specialty in Hanoi. Shrimp with heads and tails are dipped in a wheat batter and deep fried multiple times throughout the day for reheating. Another round of deep frying to keep the fried shrimp cakes hot and golden.Vendors sitting on squat plastic stools selling corn cobs to zooming scooters.Kelsi with jack fruit, the largest tree fruit in the world, which has an intense taste and aroma of mango and pineapple.
Morning runs around West Lake, Hanoi
West Lake, the city’s largest lake, is 15km in circumference and ringed by cafes, hotels, and shops. A pathway circles the lake, making for a great run.
In West Lake, early morning markets are out selling oranges as offerings to the temples nearby.Exploring Hanoi’s narrow, crowded streetsKelsi finds a new pet! 🙂 A goat at a playground in West Lake
