My wife and I have become somewhat fanatical about Southeast Asia. We first came here in 2001 when we visited Thailand. We have been back every year since and it just gets better and better. Every time we try a new country we can’t make our minds up which we prefer. They are all fantastic. Vietnam is certainly a stand out, I had no idea it was simply so beautiful. We came three years ago and visited the south of the country. Saigon was fabulous and the Mekong River simply divine. I didn’t think we would find anywhere to rival it, but we did.
We did our own thing this trip and meandered north along the coast, traveling by slow moving train and visiting small towns along the way as we went. The last week of the holiday was an organised trip. We had arranged this, with Halong Luxury Travel, online and were a bit reticent as we are not always sure about trips that are organised. It was, though, to prove to be one of the best weeks of our lives.
Hanoi is a nice place, busy and noisy as you would expect from an Asian Capital, though there are quiet places to relax, like by the Hoan Kiem Lake. The locals come out here in the evening, to practise Tai Chi or just stroll about. There is plenty of other stuff to see though, places of interest and important buildings. The Old Quarter is especially good for evening meals and a few beers.
Next the tour took us to what in my opinion is the most beautiful place on earth. Halong Bay, is so fabulous, it is impossible to do it justice with mere words. We cruised around on a luxury cruise boat for two days and it could have gone on for ever, for me. The boat was super, the food was excellent and our cabin was as you would expect from a 5 star hotel, with infinitely better views. The bay is gorgeous, limestone rock islands abound and the boats weave in and out so that every few minutes the view changes. This is paradise on earth, no wonder it has won so many awards.
Returning to Hanoi we caught the train to Sapa for the next leg of the tour. The overnight train saw us arriving at a small station on the Chinese border in the early morning. A minibus then drove us into Sapa town. The journey is brilliant. The mountains and valleys and the terraced rice paddies are just so pretty. We went to visit delightful ethnic people living in traditional villages. They were so nice, and their way of life let us humbled. Beautiful waterfalls and tiny rivers running through lush vegetation were a delight as well. On the last night we had dinner with a group of people also on the tour, we had made good friends with them and it was a very special evening.
Back in Hanoi we had one more organized day which was great. The people at Halong Luxury Travel did a great job. They give you enough free time but are also well organised so you don’t miss a thing. What a week this tour provided!