AKWant to be taken away? Well, you must consider Vietnam. Take everything you’ve come to know or partially understand about the country as you’ve seen through the mass media and turn it all on its collective head. This picturesque sliver of a country is a true escape from some of what we’ve come to know in the west, and, in many ways, the country is better for it. People and community are everything here, and the crazy consumer mentality, though present in areas like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, takes a back seat to a quieter and more peaceful way of life in most other areas, especially in the countryside. The culture, the food, the majestic scenery and the vast range of climates all make for a trip that will surpass your expectations. Vietnam welcomed us with open arms and we felt right at home.
We tend to think of Vietnam based on our memories of movies like Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and The Quiet American. Present day Vietnam could not be further from the truth. We traveled for two incredible weeks through Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), the grand limestone rockscape of Halong Bay, the misty valleys and high mountain roads of Sapa, the motorbike riddled streets of Hanoi and the quiet warmth of Phu Quoc Island. A country that is communist and still harbors the relics of a bygone era, from the tomb of Ho Chi Minh himself, to aircraft shot down during the war, Vietnam is both bustling like a frenzy of bees and as calm as the quiet hours of the morning. One consistent theme throughout the entire trip was the gentle and seemingly never ending hospitality of everyone with whom we came in contact. The Vietnamese have mastered the art of serving westerners with a smile without becoming overly influenced by our manic culture. We were met by waves and smiles along our extensive motorbike tour of Sapa. Curious villagers welcomed us as they would their own. We’d occasionally see some older men still donning the Communist regime’s military uniform. Though naturally somewhat shy, the vast majority of Vietnamese always met us with kind eyes.
Vietnam’s scenery is nothing less than breathtaking. We were overcome by Halong Bay, with hundreds of foliage-laden limestone outcroppings along the northern coast of Vietnam. We sailed for three days and witnessed the life of the fisherman who live right on the ocean, enjoyed evening kayaking and calm nights on the boat with good Vietnamese Tiger Beer and imported Cuban cigars. The mountain village of Sapa proved to be one of our favorites. After overcoming a bit of fear being taxied on the narrow mountain roads in a Ford Transit van, we fell in love with the rich culture and the overwhelming amount of inexpensive Vietnamese food. We were not, however, misled by the copious amounts of bootleg “North Face” gear for sale at nearly every souvenir shop. Motorbiking proved to be one of the most interesting aspects of Sapa mountain travel. It is the primary mode of transportation and everything is moved on these 120cc mini-motorcycles, from entire families of four, to chickens, to furniture. Makeshift fairings are made of clear garbage bags, or rain ponchos, and gas stations are typically single hand pumps that are used to fill old Lipton tea bottles that then refuel your two-wheeler
Our favorite locale was the warm and wonderful Phu Quoc Island, where we relaxed at Chen La Resort, a bastion of western tourists who spoil themselves with private huts, the most amazing deep tissue massages, warm water scuba diving, and the country’s best seafood. We drank it all in, literally and figuratively, and sad to say goodbye. We will surely return someday.
Vietnam is both bustling like a frenzy of bees and as calm as the quiet hours of the morning.
