• perfect-trip-to-hanoi-vietnam
    North Vietnam,  Travel Guides,  Vietnam

    A perfect trip to Hanoi

    As Vietnam's capital Hanoi has a lot to offer, from delectable food and a great coffee culture, a fascinating history and interesting architecture, there is something for everyone. Only the traffic is hard to manage, but you will get used to it. The best time for a trip to Hanoi, in my opinion, is from March to May, just outside…

  • lan ha bay cruise from cat ba
    North Vietnam,  Vietnam

    Lan Ha Bay Cruise from Cat Ba

    To see the beauty of Vietnam's northern coast, without the hoards of tourists, unregulated cruise ships, multiplying hotels, gigantic resorts and all the trash you will find nowadays at Ha Long Bay you can visit Lan Ha Bay instead. Part of me wanted to keep this a secret since the more people know about it the fuller and less beautiful…

  • from-hanoi-to-sapa
    North Vietnam,  Vietnam

    How to get from Hanoi to Sapa

    Getting from Hanoi to Sapa is an adventure in itself. You basically have three choices: Bus, Private Van or Train. While you can book all three on the same platform, the prices, departure and arrival times and the experiences will vary greatly.

  • Hmong woman doing Batik during a Workshop in Sapa
    North Vietnam,  Vietnam

    Hmong Batik Workshop – Sapa

    While in Sapa I divided my time between the city and a homestay with a Hmong family in Ta Van village near Sa Pa. They offer half-day and full-day trekking tours and two ethnic handicraft workshops to their guests: a Hmong Indigo Batik Workshop and a Traditional Hmong Embroidery Workshop. I choose to do both.

  • Silver Smith Workshop Hanoi
    North Vietnam,  Vietnam

    Silversmith Workshop – Hanoi

    Always on the lookout for unique things to do and more things to learn I stumbled upon a silver smith workshop in Hanoi. In the silver crafting village Dinh Cong, about 30 minutes from the Old Quarter of Hanoi inside a community house this workshop takes you back to the time where Hanoi was still called Thang Long (1010).

  • hidden-gem-ninh-binh-province-vietnam
    North Vietnam,  Vietnam

    Hidden Gem – Ninh Binh Province Vietnam

    Before I arrived in Vietnam I had never heard of Ninh Binh. I donโ€™t know whether I was ignorant or if it feels like I see it everywhere now because I am paying attention to it. To tell the truth, I had no idea what to expect from this tour, but Ninh Binh really is a hidden gem of Vietnam.

  • ha-long-bay-daytour-worth-it
    North Vietnam,  Vietnam

    Ha Long Bay Daytour โ€“ Is it worth it?

    Right after I booked my flights toย Vietnam, I made a list of places I wanted to see. On top of that last list was Ha Long Bay; the Bay of the Descending Dragon, a UNESCO world heritage site known from National Geographic, with over 2000 limestone mountains emerging from emerald water. Since I stayed in Hanoi, a day trip seemed…