Vietnam
Halong Bay
Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia. It is the border between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The area is approximately 69800 square miles. The population is approximately 17 million people. Cambodia became a French colony in the 15th century, and it declared independence in 1953. The Cambodian genocide by the Khmer Rouge in the 'mid-'70s put Cambodia on the map. To read more about the history of Cambodia, please click on the link below. The capital city of Cambodia is Phnom Penh. I only visited Siem Reap just toward the end of the Covid-19 restriction. At that time, I only carried a US passport, so I applied for a visa while I was in the US. I flew to Cambodia from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok but decided to see more of the country. Therefore, I took the bus back to Thailand. It was the venture begun. At the border, the worker told me that I didn't have sufficient documents to enter Thailand. I have to complete a form and submit it and get approval first. I didn't have access to a computer, and using my iPhone would have taken a long time. I asked a representative who examined my passport to do it for me, and I would pay him. He agreed and told me to wait. While working the line, he processed my paperwork, and it was approved within 30 or 45 minutes. I really thought I had everything completed before leaving the US, and I had read about a border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia, and I never thought I would have any problems. At the end I paid that worker 10 dollars, which is not very much but would have been one day's worth of work in that country. Other than that, I found Cambodia to be an interesting country, and I would love to visit it again. People were welcoming, friendly, and mild-mannered and hard workers. At the markets and the restaurants, workers are a little more assertive in trying to sell their merchandise and have you dine at their restaurants. This is common practice in Southeast Asia. Remember not to purchase anything until you shop around, and definitely try to bargain to get the best price. The trick is to get a lower price and try to buy more than one. The sellers are willing to reduce prices when you agree to purchase more than one item.
Hanoi
Hanoi located
To learn more history about Siem Reap. Please click on the link here. Siem Reap - Wikipedia
Halong Bay
Is Halong Bay worth a visit?
Halong Bay & Sung Sot Cave
Photograph by Viyada Dietrich
Ha 'Long Bay is located in northeastern Vietnam. It is approximately 2.5 hours from Hanoi. Ha Long Bay is also known for its emerald waters and limestone mountains that formed more than a thousand years ago. It is a very popular and commercialized place, and more than 8000 visitors visit each day.
I purchased a half-day tour because I was pressed for time. I only had 3 days and two nights in Hanoi, and Ha 'Long Bay was included in my itinerary, and I still had enough time to visit some historical and cultural sites in Hanoi like Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), St. Joseph's Cathedral, and the Famous Railway Track (Duang Tao).
I highly recommend those who are visiting Hanoi to take a half-day tour if you're unable to do an overnight trip. I thought a half-day tour was very reasonable because it included bus transportation, a boat cruise, lunch, and outdoor activities such as a Sung Sot Cave visit, kayaking, and a bamboo boat ride. The only negative is it is crowded on land and water. You're expected to be patient and be respectful.
HOI AN
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Last visit to Vietnam, I didn't spend many nights in each city because I wanted to see as much as I could in 10 days. I only spent 2 nights in Phong Nha. I could stay one more night so I can explore the largest cave in the world, but with one night, visiting Hang Son Doong is only touching the surface. I'd rather come back to spend all of my time trekking this cave.
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Hoi An & An Bang Beach
PHONG NHA
Phong Nha is a city located in central Vietnam. The city is known for its natural wonder with beautiful limestone and the world's largest cave, Hang Son Doong. This cave is located in Ke Bang National Park (Son Doong Cave • Largest Cave in the World • Oxalis Adventure). Phong Nha is for those who enjoy outdoor adventure activities such as ziplining, hiking, kayaking, swimming, tubing, and mud bathing in a dark cave. Here you can also enjoy strolling through Phong Nha Botanic Garden and visiting the Duck Stop.
I took a sleeping bus from Hanoi and arrived in Phong Nha early in the morning. The bus took approximately 9 hours, not including a long-delayed traffic jam in Hanoi. The reason I took this route to Phong Nha was because I wanted to experience the sleeping bus, and it was also an economical way to travel. At that time, I think it only cost $29 or 32 for a one-way ticket to Phong Nha. It was at night, and I did not get to enjoy the view and countryside, and besides, inside the bus, there wasn't a restroom. Therefore, the bus driver stopped for the restroom twice. The bus driver spoke limited English. I didn't have any opportunity to ask him, except for the arrival time.
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Last visit to Vietnam, I didn't spend many nights in each city because I wanted to see as much as I could in 10 days. I only spent 2 nights in Phong Nha. I could stay one more night so I can explore the largest cave in the world, but with one night, visiting Hang Son Doong is only touching the surface. I'd rather come back to spend all of my time trekking this cave.
HERE IS MY 2 DAYS & NIGHTS ITINERARIES :
Phong Nha Botanic Garden & The Duck Stop
DAY 1. Phong Nha Botanic Gardens & The Duck Stop
a. Thac Gio waterfall
b. Vang Anh Lake (swimming hole)
c. Native's plants
d. Ducks call and feeding
e. Water buffalo ride (fee)
f. Phong Nha Botanic Garden - Self guided jungle walks | Local Vietnam
DAY 2. DARK CAVE & PARADISE CAVE
a. Ziplining
b. Swimming inside Dark Cave
c. Kayaking
d. Mud bath
e. Hiking Paradise Cave
f. Paradise Cave (Thien Duong) - A Guide Exploring Phong Nha Most Stunning Cave
g. Everything you need to know about Dark Cave | The largest cave in the world
DAY 3. Phong Nga Cave (optional)
Details:
DAY 1. Phong Nha Botanic Garden (self-guided)
I booked a moped ride for half a day because I arrived in Phong Nha at 3:00 am and only had a few hours of rest, and I wanted to come back to rest a little more at the hotel because I booked a full-day trip of activities the next day. To the Botanic Garden, I walked with my driver and went to the waterfall and swimming hole. He also shows me different native plants and a lizard. After a trip from Hanoi and Halong Bay, I thought it was great to have alone time and relax without racing with the crowd for something.
The Duck Stop Privately owned by the family of farmers. Here you can tour rice and a variety of fruit trees growing on the property. But the main attraction is the ducks. They were trained and entertained guests. I thought it was a fun and great experience to be able to interact with them by feeding them and having them peck on your feet searching for food. At the Duck Stop, you will be asked if you would like to ride a water buffalo for an extra fee. I took that opportunity because it reminded me of when I was young, riding a buffalo across the river in Thailand.
DAY 2. Dark Cave and Paradise Cave
I chose Dark Cave (Hang Toi) as my first full day of adventure. You will be spending most of your day experiencing ziplines over the Chay River, swimming/walking on the underground river (not too deep) to Dark Cave, relaxing, and taking a mud bath. Natural mud baths are believed to have therapeutic benefits for the skin, muscles, and joints, potentially due to minerals like sulfur, zinc, and magnesium. They are also thought to relieve stress and certain skin ailments." After the bath, you and your partner will be kayaking back to the zipline station. You'll have free time for more playing, swimming, and ziplining; clean up and get ready for Vietnamese lunch. After lunch, you'll head to Paradise Cave. Paradise Cave is the longest dry cave in Asia. It is approximately 19.26 miles (31 kilometers), but only 1 mile (1000 meters) of the wooden path is provided for you to enjoy the cave without having to worry about stumbling and getting wet in the puddles. When visiting this cave, please keep in mind that the cave sits almost 1200 feet (360 meters) above sea level. That means you have to hike up the mountain path to reach the mouth of the cave. So, this is a challenge in itself. Also, keep in mind the seasons in Vietnam. Is it rainy or summer? I was lucky enough to visit Paradise Cave in September—dry, hot, and humid. If it were a rainy season, this would make it worse than what I have endured. It was a long and slow trek up the mountain, but I made it to the end, and it was worth it. It was a stunning cave, and I would recommend that everyone visit it. If you're unable to hike or walk a long distance, there are electric buggies that can take you to the top for small fees.
Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon
Following a five-night stay in Hoi An, I took a taxi early in the morning to Da Nang International Airport, which is about an hour away. I traveled on VietJet Airlines to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport, and that journey takes around 1.5 hours. There are various methods to travel to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) from Hoi An and other cities in Vietnam, but for this segment of my journey, I lack the time to appreciate and explore the countryside, making flying the most suitable choice for me. Ho Chi Minh City resembles many major cities globally; it is bustling, packed, and congested, featuring contemporary skyscrapers, lively atmospheres, and expansive markets. Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam's capital city, housing around 14 million residents. It functions as the economic and financial center of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City, known as Saigon, was under French colonial rule from 1859 to 1954. Communist troops, commanded by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong, took Saigon (currently Ho Chi Minh City) on April 30, 1975.
Ho Chi Minh City was the last leg of my trip; I decided to rent a hotel in town for convenience during my two-night stay, avoiding the crowds and traffic jams. My hotel is within walking distance of the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, the iconic Saigon Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, Times Square Towers, and Ho Chi Minh City Hall. I took a walking tour alone, which gave me the opportunity to spend as much time as I wanted without being rushed to learn and explore each place. While walking, I stopped for lunch at a local mom-and-pop restaurant where there were few or no tourists dining because I wanted to ensure I had a more authentic local meal rather than something made for foreigners' palates. At the same time, I was supporting small business owners and local farmers in the area, getting a pedicure and manicure on a whim, and checking out as many full-service coffee shops as I could. Vietnam and some other Asian countries take pride in their coffees and teas. While touring Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, I preferred a sit-down coffee shop where a barista crafted artwork on my latte, along with fresh-baked pastries. I always look forward to finding a new coffee shop and restaurant where I can sit and enjoy the atmosphere, the decorations, and friendly service.
On a positive note, there are many inexpensive massage parlors and nail salons everywhere in Vietnam, and you do not have to schedule an appointment to receive services. However, before you decide to get any service or purchase anything, please confirm the price of the merchandise or service you are going to receive from the merchants to avoid misunderstandings after the merchandise or service has been rendered. Have it in writing or recorded on your telephone, if possible. Sometimes, the language barrier or communication in English can be a challenge, and misunderstandings can occur. Two incidents happened to me while traveling to Laos and Vietnam, and I wish I had recorded the confirmations on my telephone. It is normal to negotiate the price on certain trips like a one-day trip with a private taxi or a car and tuk-tuk because many drivers are self-employed, and they are willing to accept a price lower than their asking price. This is true with souvenir shops at large flea markets. If they are not willing to negotiate, you can always find someone else who is ready to accept your price. Remember, prices are not negotiable at shopping malls or supermarkets.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY
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Ho Chi Minh City Hall
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Time Square Towers
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Independence Palace
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War Remnant Museum
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Saigon Central Post Office
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Notre dame Cathedral
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Ben Thanh Market
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Saigon Opera House
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Cholon (Chinatown)
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Ho Thi Ky Street Food (district 10; 3-10 PM)
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Bui Vien Street Nightlife (district 1)
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A Word of Advice
Traveling throughout Southeast Asia is relatively safe, but always take precautions regarding your surroundings and large crowds on buses, trains, sky trains, food courts, or night markets. It doesn't matter where you go in the world; there will always be opportunistic crime. Please do not leave your purse and backpack unattended. It would be wise to purchase an RFID purse or wallet blocker. I have had a few incidents where my credit card was skimmed while I traveled to a small rural town in Thailand, a Maui gas station, and Los Angeles Airport. The amount is small, but the pain of reporting it to the credit card company is a major headache and time-consuming. More TIPS in another section!