14 articles tagged with vietnam
I first stumbled upon Dalat while backpacking through Vietnam five years ago, seeking refuge from the coastal heat. What I discovered was a misty mountain paradise that felt more like a European alpine town than Southeast Asia. With its temperate...
There's something deeply spiritual about floating among ancient limestone karsts while sipping premium champagne at sunset. Having visited Halong Bay four times now—twice solo and twice with friends—I've discovered that experiencing this UNESCO World Heritage site aboard a luxury junk...
There's something about trading the predictable comforts of middle age for the wild unpredictability of sand between your toes and salt in your hair. Last winter, I found myself craving both desert and ocean, so I designed a two-week adventure...
I never planned to write a family travel guide. But when my cycling buddy Dave invited me to join his family vacation to Vietnam last winter, I couldn't resist tagging along. Watching his kids experience Hoi An's magic transformed how...
Let me be real with you – Ho Chi Minh City wasn't initially on my retail buyer circuit. But when a last-minute sourcing opportunity for Vietnamese streetwear popped up during winter break, I extended my stay for a full week...
The moment my feet left the board and I found myself suspended—if only for seconds—above the South China Sea, I understood why kite surfers from around the world make the pilgrimage to Mui Ne. This coastal fishing village turned water...
The first time I stood atop Mui Ne's red sand dunes, my PE teacher instincts kicked in – I wanted to roll, slide, and play in that magnificent russet landscape. Instead, I planted my feet firmly in the cool morning...
There's something about marketplaces that reveals a culture's true heart. As someone who's spent 15 years scanning faces and reading body language for the U.S. Border Patrol, I've developed a sixth sense for authenticity – a skill that serves me...
The first time I felt the warm Vietnamese breeze against my face while zipping along coastal roads toward Mui Ne, I knew this wasn't just another pottery pilgrimage—it was pure freedom. After three visits to this stunning beach destination, I've...
The moment my feet hit Hoi An's ancient streets, I knew I'd stumbled onto something magical. It was late afternoon, that golden hour when the sun paints everything in honey-colored light, and the centuries-old buildings seemed to glow from within....
Well, mates, I never thought I'd be comparing the deserts of Vietnam to the rainy streets of Liverpool, but life takes you on strange routes sometimes. After 35 years behind the wheel of buses across two continents, I've seen my...
As a dentist by profession and photographer by passion, my travels have taken me across continents, but few destinations have captivated my lens quite like Phu Quoc. This Vietnamese island, nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, offers a remarkable juxtaposition...
I'll never forget my first glimpse of Sapa's terraced rice fields, emerald green steps climbing toward misty mountain peaks. The morning light cast long shadows across the valleys, and I knew immediately why cyclists and backpackers alike are drawn to...
There's something magical about waking up to misty mountains cascading with rice terraces while the scent of wood fire and fresh herbs drifts through a traditional wooden home. That's exactly what greeted me each morning during my homestay with a...
