The Many Oohs, Ahhs, and Yums of Vietnam
Rich in culture, history, and flavors. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the peaceful landscapes of Ha Giang and Ha Long Bay, and the modernity of Saigon, Vietnam offers a wide range of experiences that cater to any traveler. We recently had the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful and vibrant parts of the country, and we're excited to share our journey with you!
Hanoi
Arriving in Hanoi was like getting hit by a semi truck going 100 mph (well… kph) full of sensory overload. It was beautifully chaotic. To try and sum it up in a single sentence… a stranger thew an egg at us in a drive by from his motorcycle at 6AM and then we rode through stunning, endless mountains on the back of a motorcycle all within the same day. The dichotomy in experiences was the most drastic either of us have experienced.
We spent a few days exploring the city, trying out local delicacies, and immersing ourselves in the Vietnamese culture. One of the things we enjoyed most was the food. From the pho at Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, to Bun Cha at Bún Chả Đắc Kim, and Banh Mi at Bánh Mì 25, the variety of dishes and quality of the food was exceptional. And the best part was that everything was incredibly cheap! On food alone, we averaged around $5USD / day… for two people!
We also checked out a number of coffee shops, which are a cool part of Hanoi's culture. They were perfect for getting some planning done, people watching, and our new favorite activity… in Vietnam at least… traffic watching! We also loved the fact that the coffee shops were often hidden in alleys, giving a sense of exploration and adventure.
One of our favorite coffee shops was The Note Coffee, a unique and charming cafe located in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter. The cafe's walls are covered from floor to ceiling in colorful sticky notes left by patrons from all over the world, giving the space a whimsical and welcoming atmosphere. The menu features a variety of delicious coffee drinks, including egg coffee, which is a must-try for anyone visiting Hanoi.
With its cozy ambience and friendly staff (including the woman greeting people outside by screaming “HELLO! WELCOME!”), The Note Coffee is a popular spot for both locals and tourists looking for a great cup of coffee and a memorable experience. We left our instagram handle on a few sticky notes and we had other travelers reach out the same day to say hello! We now have a new German couple that we follow, who are also taking a sabbatical to travel.
Ha Long Bay
Our next stop was Ha Long Bay, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, and for good reason. We took an overnight cruise through the bay on the cruise line, Orchid Trendy, and had an amazing experience. The landscape was unlike anything we had seen, and the experience on the boat was relaxing and peaceful. They offered activities, including kayaking on the bay and a cave hike, but we opted to relax on the boat. We did, however, participate in the spring roll making cooking class… we couldn’t miss out on that!
One of the most memorable parts was how the crew treated us. Since we had mentioned it was our honeymoon when we booked the trip (…we never had an official honeymoon, so this trip is just a really long honeymoon, right?), they went above and beyond to make our experience special. They covered our bed in rose petals and then prepared a special “honeymoon” table for us at dinner with a white table cloth, rose petals, and towel swan. To top it off, they paraded through the dining room with a watermelon cocktail to celebrate our honeymoon and another couple's anniversary. Britt nearly slid under the table in sheer embarrassment. She said we’re no longer able to tell anyone that we’re traveling for our honeymoon!
Waking up to views of the water and towering limestone cliffs from bed was, simply put, epic.
Ha Giang Loop
Our trip to Ha Giang was one of the most enriching experiences we've ever had. We took a four-day motorbike tour on the Ha Giang Loop, and we got to see some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Vietnam. The tour is usually a group of eight people, but we were lucky and essentially got a private tour because no one else booked the same dates as us. So, for four days, it was only the two of us and our guides — Cuong, aka “King Cuong” and Vay, aka “Chicken” — giving us ample one-on-one time to learn about their culture and the different ethnic groups that live across the areas we visited.
King Cuong and Chicken shared that Vietnam is home to 54 recognized ethnic groups, each with their own unique customs, traditions, and languages. Many of these groups have lived in Vietnam for centuries and have preserved their customs and traditions through generations, including music, dance, clothing, architecture, and cuisine, among other things. Despite modernization and globalization, they have maintained their way of life through self-sufficiency and a strong sense of community, often living in rural and remote areas like those we visited.
It was truly a remarkable four days. The only downside was the weather. We had 1.5 days of rain, cloudiness, and cold weather, which made some of the viewpoints nearly impossible to see. Luckily our guides showed us pictures on their phone of what it would usually look like! 🤣 The upside was that we literally had our head in the clouds, which was a pretty cool feeling. The experience of riding on the back of a motorcycle through pouring rain nearly made Britt wet herself, but with all the rain, who would even know?
We had the opportunity to learn about Vietnam’s ethnic groups by staying in local families’ homes and experiencing their ways of living. They served up some of the best meals we had in Vietnam, which usually consisted of beef, fish, soup, multiple veggies, and of course, rice. The hospitality and warmth of the people we met were incredible, and we felt like we were part of their family.
Saigon
Our last stop was Ho Chi Minh City, which everyone still calls Saigon even though it was renamed in 1976. We went back and forth on what we were calling the city, and ultimately landed on Saigon because, honestly, we only saw the airport with “Ho Chi Minh City” in its name. It was the most modern city we visited in Vietnam, and really all of our time in SE Asia. It had a nice blend of Eastern and Western architecture, old and new, calm and fast-paced.
One of the highlights of our stay was our dinner at NOIR, a dining experience in the dark. It was a fascinating experience to eat in complete darkness and to rely on our other senses to appreciate the food and the atmosphere. It truly gave us a different appreciation of our food and dining experiences, as well as made us realize that we really do take our ability to see for granted.
Another aspect that we really appreciated was that NOIR employs individuals who are visually and hearing impaired. Our waitress was blind, and she was incredibly talented. She escorted us into the dining room by putting our hands on her shoulders and walked us directly to our table, and then proceeded to provide a three course meal without a single flaw — no dropped dishes, silverware, etc. She was remarkable.
In an effort to try as many things as possible, Britt got the Vegetarian option and Justin enjoyed the seasonal menu. The challenge was sharing each of the dishes. Eating in the dark was a challenge itself, but sliding each dish across the table to swap without spilling was an adventure. After dinner, we were escorted out of the dining room and walked through each of the menus. We were able to guess around 60% of the dishes and many of the ingredients, but wow, our taste buds could use some training for the other 40%! We would share our favorites, but we don’t want to spoil it for anyone headed to Vietnam anytime soon!
And finally… let’s talk about the GREATEST brownie in the world. First and foremost, brownies aren’t usually at the top of our list of items to order at cafes because they always tend to disappoint. However, Justin read a blog that specifically called out this cafe’s brownie. So, we tried it. Twice. The soft outside paired with the ganache-brownie mix on the inside is something we will dream about until the end of time. Britt has already done extensive research to see if we can acquire said brownie once we are home, but unfortunately, you can only get it in Hanoi or Saigon. Maison Marou… we repeat, MAISON MAROU. Go there. And please bring us back a few.
Overall, we loved our time in Vietnam. It’s a place that will captivate you with its stunning landscapes, diverse culture, and delicious food. From the north to the south, we were blown away by the experiences we had and memories we made. If Vietnam is not on your list of travel destinations, we highly recommend you add it!
