2018 travel recommendations
It’s that time again, when every travel magazine and website publishes their list of the places you should visit this year. And some of those 2018 travel recommendations seem just a little weird.
Category: Vietnam
The best time to visit northern Vietnam
The conventional wisdom recommends visiting Vietnam in spring (March or April) or fall (September through November). However, northern Vietnam, with its mountainous terrain and terraced rice fields is a little different. Choosing the best time Read More …
Exploring northern Vietnam in ten days (or more)
Experience the variety of northern Vietnam in ten days I fell in love with Vietnam – all of it – during my 2015 visit. But my husband and I had three weeks to tour the Read More …
Wandering the laterite lanes of Duong Lam, Vietnam
Surrounded by laterite in Duong Lam Commonly referred to as Duong Lam Ancient Town, this village near Hanoi, Vietnam, is among the last to retain its traditional laterite buildings. Laterite buildings have a long history Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Around Sapa
Day seven off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam The final day of our northern Vietnam road trip is a bit less off the tourist trail because we are now in Sapa. Exploring around Sapa Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Bac Ha to Sapa
Day six off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam Day six of our northern Vietnam road trip begins right in Bac Ha, as we are in town specifically for the day’s colorful market. Even though Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Hoang Su Phi to Bac Ha
Day five off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam Day five of our northern Vietnam road trip begins at a relaxed pace at the lovely resort where we spent the night. It continues as we Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Yen Minh to Hoang Su Phi
Day four off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam Day four of our northern Vietnam road trip includes visits to several villages tucked into valleys far off the tourist trail. We also visit a lively Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Meo Vac to Yen Minh
Day three off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam The third day of our northern Vietnam road trip takes us way, way off the tourist trail as we tour more of Ha Giang province. Today’s Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Ba Be Lake to Meo Vac
Day two off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam The second day of our northern Vietnam road trip starts quietly along the peaceful shores of Ba Be Lake. With about 150 miles of mountain roads Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Hanoi to Ba Be Lake
Day one off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam Our first day of our northern Vietnam road trip ends up being a 12 hour, 150 mile journey off the tourist trail traveling from Hanoi to Read More …
Don’t leave home without an electric surge protector
At home most of us automatically plug our computers and other electronics into an electric surge protector because you never know when there will be a lighting strike somewhere in the neighborhood or a squirrel Read More …
Visiting a typical market in northern Vietnam
At the market in northern Vietnam Residents in the rural towns of northern Vietnam rely on weekly markets to buy and sell the goods they can’t grow or build at home. Visitors are always welcome Read More …
Duong Lam ancient village, Vietnam
Vietnam is filled with villages racing to modernize by tearing down their old buildings and replacing them with modern ones as fast as they can, but there are still places where visitors can see what Read More …
Fantastic figures at Mia Pagoda, Duong Lam, Vietnam
The traditional Vietnamese villages of Duong Lam, Vietnam, have many treasures hidden within their ancient walls, but the largest collection – both in number and physical size — reside within the quiet confines of Mia Read More …
Gas Stations of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
I often notice gas stations when I travel (particularly when I don’t actually have a vehicle, and so have no need for one). I’m guessing this is a remnant of my time as a land Read More …
Cruising Trang An, Vietnam
Northern Vietnam is a country of ragged karst mountains and twisting caverns. The most famous of these are found in Halong Bay, but they exist inland as well. And in some places they exist in Read More …
Vietnamese musician playing a bamboo xylophone
Simple bamboo xylophones (dàn t’rung) are traditional musical instruments from Vietnam’s Central Highlands, but more elaborate versions can be in music groups performing throughout Vietnam. . . Like this one being played outside a restaurant Read More …