Page 8 of mbrown Travel Blog Posts


Asia » Vietnam » Northwest » Lao Cai » Sapa June 7th 2009

Sapa was a hill station in the Northwest mountains that linked the surrounding hill tribe minorities to each other, but has since become a popular spot for tourists. Sapa sits next to and views Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam. While the town itself completely revolves around tourism, its one of those places that is impossible to drain of its authenticity. It is very small and built into the side of the mountain, so views from almost anywhere are great. The surrounding areas are the most beautiful I have ever seen (more on the next post). While having dinner one night, a Hmong (local hill tribe) girl came up and starting speaking to me in surprisingly good English. She and several other Hmong girls hang out and play pool at their friend’s restaurant, so I ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Red River Delta » Hanoi June 6th 2009

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology displays artifacts and explains the heritage of the diverse people that inhabit Vietnam. So much of this region exists without regard for the modern borders or artificial boundaries. The minority groups speak their own language and they spill over the borders between Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Laos, China and Cambodia. I took a motorbike taxi to the museum which is a ways outside central Hanoi. As is somewhat common, the driver said he knew the location when he didn’t, so we stopped about ten times for directions. Eventually I got to the museum. Within five minutes of starting to look around a young Vietnamese woman leading a group of about twenty, asked me where I was from and if I liked Vietnam. The group she was leading was her family from various ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Quang Ninh » Halong Bay June 4th 2009

Halong Bay is in the Gulf of Tonkin a few hours east of Hanoi. Its an unreal series of green limestone formations that jut out of the water. I was surprised how large an area it covers. You can cruise around the area for hours on a boat. I took a tour out of Hanoi with about 10 other people that included one night on the boat. We got to the junk boat, as they are called, around noon and had a nice lunch while moving through the karst formations. In the afternoon we went to a colorfully lit cave then cruised around until anchoring for the sunset. The group on the boat was eclectic. I talked most with a German couple in their 50s that were incredibly happy and nice. A Vietnamese family, including grandpa, ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Red River Delta » Hanoi June 2nd 2009

For those unfamiliar, Ho Chi Minh is like the father of modern Vietnam. He was a Communist revolutionary who fought against French occupation and American aggression. He was president of North Vietnam from 1945 until his death in 1969. He did not live to see the reunification of Vietnam. He is a beloved figure in Vietnam among seemingly everyone and is featured on the front of the Vietnamese currency, the dong. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is modeled after Lenin's Tomb in Moscow. I had read some time ago, but must have forgotten, that his preserved body is on display in the tomb. It startled me a little bit to see him on display surrounded by observers onthree sides. This tomb goes against something Ho himself said not long before his death, "Not only is cremation ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Red River Delta » Hanoi May 31st 2009

Although the area of Hà Nội has been inhabited one way or another for 5000 years, 2010 will mark 1000 years since Hanoi was officially established. I have to say, Hanoi ended up being one of my favorite places so far. My first impressions were from the back of a motorcycle at 6am after an all night bus ride. It was sunrise and there were people all around Lake Hoan Kiem running, meditating and doing tai chi. It was rather calm compared to beautiful, chaotic mess the city become quickly after sunrise. I was surprised by how different Hà Nội is from Saigon. Hanoi is smaller, but definitely felt more dense. The traffic isn't as massive but , its more chaotic. Hanoi seemed much dirtier than relatively clean Saigon, but I definitely prefer Hanoi. There is ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » North Central Coast » Thua Thien - Huế » Hué May 27th 2009

Huế is a city in central Vietnam just south of the former DMZ (demilitarized-zone). It is significant for several reasons. The Nguyen Dynasty moved the capital from Hanoi to Huế during the 19th and first part of the 20th centuries. The Huế Citadel, from which they ruled, dominates the north side of the Perfume River that flows through the middle of Huế. The walled compound contains beautiful temples and royal living quarters with an iconic flag tower in front. Huế is also famous for the elaborate tomb compounds that honor Nguyen Dynasty Emperors. The tomb of Tu Duc is a large, serene park with several buildings and a lake. It was built during his lifetime and he enjoyed the grounds frequently. It was interesting to sit on the Xung Khiem pavilion where 150 years ago Tu ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Da Nang May 25th 2009

Đà Nẵng, only about 30km from Hoi An, is Vietnam's 4th largest city. During the American War (Vietnam War) there was a major American air base and many troops had R&R here. Da Nang is on the coast and is home to the famous China Beach. I stayed in Hoi An but rode a motorbike to Đà Nẵng two of the days I was there. Just up the coast from China Beach and viewable from Da Nag they are building a huge Buddha statue in the mountains overlooking the ocean. I rode up there and found a great temple behind the statue. From the top there is a great view of Đà Nẵng and the ocean. I decide to ride back to the city for gas before heading anywhere else, but (for the first time so ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Quảng Nam » Hoi An May 24th 2009

Hội An is an beautiful little town with lots of history. It has been a very important harbor in Southeast Asia for most of the last 2000 years. Years of spice trade made the area wealthy long ago. The old town has been preserved in many ways, although now it is filled with boutique hotels, nice restaurants and a million tailor shops. You can have a suit or any other article of clothing custom made here for a fraction of the cost in the west. I arrived here early in the morning after taking a crazy Vietnamese sleeper bus (pictured). Three rows of upper and lower bunks. Your feet fit under the bed of the person in front of you. These sleeping pods are made for Vietnamese, not 5' 10" giants like myself, so I coundn't ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Khanh Hoa » Nha Trang May 23rd 2009

Nha Trang is a beach destination on the south central coast of Vietnam. The beach is very nice, but I only stayed here for one day before heading on to Hoi An.... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Central Highlands » Lam Dong » Da Lat May 19th 2009

After Saigon I chose to go to Da Lat based almost completely on its weather. Its in the central highlands and much cooler than any place I have been since leaving the states in January. I have been sweating for four months. Luckily Da Lat is fantastic; there is no other city like it in Vietnam. The city of about 100,000 is centered around a lake surrounded by hills and mountains. In the center everything looks stacked upon each other. The French built a lot of villas here and used it as a vacation spot to get out of the heat. Some say it is a little remiscent of the French Alps. A clean, colorful city surrounded by pine forests in the mountains. There is not a straight road here. I kept getting lost while riding ... read more
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