The Beauty of VietNam

Recently spent 9 days in Vietnam Sept 2006. Hanoi was a busy city full of people on bikes. The central Thien Quang Lake was a lovely feature to the city.

We took a day trip to Halong Bay where we hired a huge junk all to oursleves with guide. Lunch was served onboard. The thousands of islands are amazing. Everywhere you looked was like a postcard.

From Hanoi we went to Hoi An in central Vietnam for 5 nights. Not long enough. The town has an old world charm with tiny streets and heritage houses and shops. The restaurants were excellent with our favourites being Des Amis along the river and Miss Ly Cafeteria 22 in Le Loi Street. The Brother's Cafe was a great spot for a pre-dinner drink. The building has a charm about it and it is set right on the river.

The tailors are everywhere in Hoi An. We had lots of clothes made and some shoes. We were happy with all of it. Big hint is to take clothes with you to be copied. They are fantastic at this.

Cu from Cafe Cu was our transport around Hoi An. He is located next to the Hoi An Riverside Resort where we stayed. He and his friends and family rode us around on the back of motorbikes whenever we needed them. This was a great experience for 2 sisters that don't ride bikes back home!

The Hoi An Riverside Resort was a great resort and fortunately not too busy when we were there. Tip is to ask for a first floor room on the river overlooking the rice fields. At 7.00pm each night from the bar they float lanterns down the river. It was so relaxing to watch and made for a good start to the night. The resort is just the right distance out of town for the perfect bike ride.

I recommend anyone considering to take a trip to Vietnam to do it before it is spoilt. We plan to return.

 (Source www.thingsasian.com)