Travel Diary Days 52 - 58: Hội An & Hanoi, Vietnam
Hội An is a charming town on the central coast of Vietnam. Inside is the well-known "Ancient Town", a beautifully preserved trading port from the 15th to 19th century. The architecture and culture represent the various influences that have created the site, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town area is blocked off to motorists and can only be accessed via foot or bicycle. We rented bikes and rode around in the evening. There are beautiful canals that cut through the streets, and you can see distinct differences in certain areas between Japanese, French, Vietnamse & Chinese influences. There are bridges, soap houses, temples, colonial buildings, and color all around.
Travel Diary Days 44 - 51: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) & Vung Tau Beach, Vietnam
After our time in Cambodia, we headed to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam for 3 days & Vung Tau Beach for 4 days. We were very excited to see what Vietnam would be like, as we heard various things from travelers along the way (everyone has an opinion to share). I don't want to spoil the story, but overall, Vietnam was our favorite place that we visited! On the next Travel Diary, I'll talk about Hoi An, a charming ancient town that we adored & Hanoi.
This Travel Diary focuses on Ho Chi Minh City, which is still often referred to as Saigon - especially by the locals that we talked to.
I cover about the southern beach town of Vung Tau, which is interesting in it's own way. It was definitely a rich cultural experience. I am confident we will visit Vietnam again and spend more time there exploring.