Vietnam

We began our Round the World 2018 travel adventure in Vietnam, arriving in Hanoi in January. We spent a couple of weeks in the northern zone (Hanoi and Cat Ba), but then headed to the mid-section of Vietnam for warmer weather (Hoi An, Danang, Hue, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park). We were surprised just how cold northern Vietnam gets in January! We were in winter jackets and gloves. We found the heat in Ho Chi Minh City and enjoyed the ocean breeze and perfect temperatures on Con Dao island. As the weather warmed up in the north, we headed back to Hanoi for trips to Ninh Binh National Park and a motorbike tour of Ha Giang province. When traveling to Vietnam in January/February, a South to Northbound itinerary may be preferable if you want to avoid the cold season in the North. This is a great time of year to be in Vietnam as the entire country gears up for and celebrates the Tet holiday. The cities and parks are cleaned and fresh colorful landscaping installed. 

Vietnam Travel Stories & Inspiration

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Sharing the Tet Temple Pilgrimage Experience in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Sharing the Tet Temple Pilgrimage Experience in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

The temples in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh province, have exceptional characteristics, which is why they are a popular pilgrimage destination during Tet. Happy Year of the Dog!

Ha Giang, Vietnam: Motorbike Circuit
Ha Giang, Vietnam: Motorbike Circuit

Our motorbike tour through Ha Giang province in Vietnam's northern highlands was the capstone of our two months in Vietnam...

Perfect Island Retreat for Couples in Con Dao, Vietnam
Perfect Island Retreat for Couples in Con Dao, Vietnam

Con Dao is a perfect couple's retreat for those who love a quiet beach, an eye-opening dip in the salty bay after a hot morning run, and long stretches of simply staring in amazement at nature's glorious beauty.

Caves! Phong Nha National Park, Vietnam
Caves! Phong Nha National Park, Vietnam

The main attraction in Phong Nha National Park, Vietnam, is CAVES! Each cave offers a unique and completely different experience, but the highlight was...

Hue, Vietnam: Beautiful City With a Turbulent Past
Hue, Vietnam: Beautiful City With a Turbulent Past

Hue is a beautiful, modern city with a sordid past. From unifying the country to eventually selling-out to the French, the political events in Hue nearly 200 years ago altered the trajectory of the country. 

Vietnam's Garden of Eden: Viet Hai
Vietnam's Garden of Eden: Viet Hai

Most tourists to northern Vietnam book a fast-paced, one-day excursion to Halong Bay only to post disappointed reviews later.  Do yourself a favor: ditch the crowds and enjoy a little slice of Eden in Viet Hai on the island of Cat Ba...

Making Friends on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
Making Friends on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam

Nothing attracts kids like a flying camera! Caffrey making friends in Viet Hai, Cat Ba Island, Vietnam while flying the DJI Mavic Pro drone.

Danang and a Hai Van Pass Roadtrip to Lan Co
Danang and a Hai Van Pass Roadtrip to Lan Co

Danang has more to offer than just soft sandy beaches. When you’ve had enough sand between your toes, try exploring some of the nearby attractions, including: Marble Mountains, the Danang Fine Arts Museum, or a road trip over the Hai Van Pass to Lan Co for an all-you-can-possibly-eat seafood feast. Read on for more…

Impressions of Hanoi, Vietnam
Impressions of Hanoi, Vietnam

We were in Hanoi Vietnam for a week and it took about that long to get used to the noise, dirt, and chaos. There is an order, but don’t expect to articulate or quantify it. You just have to surrender to it.

Vietnamese Food

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Lau Hot Pot (lẩu riêu cua) in Hanoi
Lau Hot Pot (lẩu riêu cua) in Hanoi

The best food is shared food. This evening, our small party of three dined at The 1946, where I discovered why the rich tasting, slightly-sweet Field Crab Hotpot (lẩu = hotpot, riêu cua = fresh water crab) is such a well-loved dish in the northern region of Vietnam.

E-Book

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History of Hue: Travelers' Cliff Notes

Short E-Book describing Nguyen Dynasty that ruled Vietnam from 1802-1946.

Running Routes in Vietnam

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Tam Coc, Vietnam Running Route: Temple-to-Temple 5.5 Miler
Tam Coc, Vietnam Running Route: Temple-to-Temple 5.5 Miler

This 5.5 mile course is a mix of dirt road and pavement, almost entirely past rice paddies and karst mountains. Pancake flat. The loop extends from Bich Dong temple to Thai Vi temple through Tam Coc. 

Con Dao, Vietnam Running Route: Beachside 10k
Con Dao, Vietnam Running Route: Beachside 10k

An early morning 10k run along the seashore followed by a dip in the cool saltwater is the perfect way to start the day in Con Dao, Vietnam

Hoi An, Vietnam Running Route: 5 or 6 Miles Go EARLY!
Hoi An, Vietnam Running Route: 5 or 6 Miles Go EARLY!

This 5 mile-ish route in Hoi An Vietnam assumes that you will begin and end your run before 10:00 a.m. to avoid the tourist mob. 

Hue, Vietnam Running Route: Perfect 10k
Hue, Vietnam Running Route: Perfect 10k

Hue is a perfect city for running! This scenic 10 kilometer route loops around the Perfume River, passing the Imperial Citadel, with a round-trip extension onto Kim Long avenue to the Thien Mu Pagoda and back.

Cat Ba, Vietnam Running Route: Viet Hai
Cat Ba, Vietnam Running Route: Viet Hai

You do not really need a map to run this course, if you find yourself in the remote farming commune of Viet Hai on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. But check out these course photos!

Hanoi, Vietnam Running Route: West Lake
Hanoi, Vietnam Running Route: West Lake

Running in Hanoi presents a myriad of challenges, from chickens to scooters to pollution. After attempting a few different courses, this route on the banks of West Lake (Tay Ho) proved to be safe(r) and quite enjoyable.