Vietnam – ‘We are the champions’

Outward Journey

December 20, 2012 – Flew from Edinburgh to London Gatwick with British Airways then onto Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines lasting 14 hours.

December 21, 2012 – Very tired but excited to be here I looked for a taxi to get me to the hotel to join the other members of the adventure party and local tour guide. Whilst standing outside the airport I was approached by a young lady who was clearly British and after the “hello” she introduced herself as Sarah.

We found a taxi and during the ride we got talking life stories etc. As it happens Sarah had also flown down from Edinburgh. Then I found out she lived less than half a mile from me! She also worked for the same company as me! It further transpired she was on a similar adventure holiday to me except her group were travelling everywhere by bicycle. We would meet up several times over the next two weeks.

Hanoi

The hotel was a decent 3-star affair. I met up with the other members of the party and the excellent tour guide from Vietnam. He turned out to be superb! There were mainly couples from Australia on the tour along with a Scottish lady from Glasgow who along with me were only the 2 from the northern hemisphere.

December 22, 2013 – Our first adventure out would take us to the old palace where President Ho Chi Minh lay in state. It is quite surreal seeing the body of a very popular historical figure on day 2 of your journey to a new country. We also visited a few temples and a local University.

We then travelled on to the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ a prison used by French colonists for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for US prisoners including Senator John McCain. The prison was mainly demolished in the 1990s, except the large gatehouse which remains as a museum. All very historical and intriguing.

In the evening we were taken to water theatre puppet show which was rather entertaining.

December 23, 2013 – The next day we went to a school for kids rescued from traffickers run by the charity Blue Dragon. Very inspiring work being done here and it was a thrill to see the kids happy. I continue to support them to this day. What an emotional experience it was seeing these homeless kids getting a fresh and more prosperous start in life again.

Halong Bay

December 24, 2012 – Wow. It is now Christmas Eve. We boarded a coach to drive to the coast. I was so excited to be going to Halong Bay.

We first explored a deep cave and then we canoed into the sunset (I tried and thankfully did not sink my beautiful companion). Words cannot describe it. We eventually boarded a boat which would be the venue for a Christmas Eve karaoke. I ‘killed’ ‘We are the Champions‘.

December 25, 2012 – To wake up to a wonderful morning in Halong Bay on Christmas Day in one of the most beautiful places on earth does not cover it.

We made another boat tour before leaving this amazing place. I was pleasantly surprised just how much the locals celebrate Christmas once back on the mainland. I celebrated with a KFC – heathen am I!

We then travelled overnight from Halong Bay by train to our next port of call Hue. Vietnamese trains are an ‘experience’ and I shall leave it at that. All part of the fun.

HUE

December 26, 2012 – We visited an art centre where victims received an making fine pottery before checking into our next hotel. The next day would prove to be the most exciting part of the trip. We also bumped into the cyclists I mentioned at the beginning.

In Hue we first saw the atrocities of the war and in particularly legacy effects of ‘agent yellow’ on mutilated children. Sickening.

One of our first stops was lunch at a restaurant visited by US President Bill Clinton.

We then toured the Hue Palace which was nearly destroyed by the Americans in the war.

At night we visited a gorgeous restaurant where we all dressed in traditional costume.

December 27, 2012 – This was an adventure hotel with a packed itinerary. There were a few optional extras we could pay for. One was a tour of Hue riding on a moped driven by a local. One of the gang said: “My friend has done this – DO NOT MISS IT FOR THE WORLD !”

Forget health and safety – this was hilarious!

We enjoyed a scenic tour of the city and neighbouring countryside. One of the thrills of the whole adventure holiday. We also visited various temples and saw the monks who lived there.

December 28, 2012 – We travelled from Hue to the part of Vietnam that would become my favourite part – Hoi An.

En route we enjoyed a sunny day at the beach.

Hoi An

Our stay in Hoi An was a more relaxing weekend. However there was still so much to do.

By the way, alcoholic drinks were barely more than a £1 or $2 for even a cocktail. We were told what food and drink to consume and what to avoid. Apart from couple who had 24 hour tummy bugs there were no real issues.

December 29, 2012 – We toured Hoi An by hired bicycles which also proved to be so much fun.

For lunch we boarded a boat (with bicycles) to tour the river. We were promised a barbecue yet there was only one crew member on board(?) Yes you guessed it – he cooked and steered the boat together (with a bit of help from us!) … And the meal was delicious.

Hoi An is also the place to have suits, dresses, and shoes made locally measured to fit (as made famous by BBC TV ‘Top Gear’). We were measured up on the first day and picked them up on the third day.

December 30, 2012 – In the evening we all went to enjoy a Vietnamese cooking lesson. So much fun and educational. Our tutor chef sang all the way! My cooking of blue-fin tuna in banana leaf was actually quite good!

Nha Trang

December 31, 2012 – The following day we travelled to Nha Trang to enjoy what would be New Year’s Eve. We did arrive quite late and ended up gate-crashing a nearby hotel beach party! We danced to music with locals on the beach at midnight. A New Year to remember.

January 1, 2013 – We spent the next day at the beach (some with hangovers). As we were generally heading south the whole trip the weather was becoming warmer and sunnier.

January 2, 2013 – We headed south on overnight train to our final destination – ‘Saigon’ or Ho Chi Minh City. In-between travels we also managed to enjoy a mud bath and spa!

Ho Chi Minh City

January 3, 2013 – After an early morning arrival we travelled to see a museum on the Vietnam War and to see the hidden ‘city’ of tunnels that served the local soldiers so well. Very little room for large adults!

A trip to a war museum followed. Again very moving and not for the faint-hearted. ‘Saigon’ proved to be the most western of the cities we visited in Vietnam due to the influence on the American occupation. Unlike the rest of the country expect to pay western prices for food and alcohol. A city tour followed in the evening along with another delicious meal.

January 4, 2013 – A boat trip planned today on the Mekong Delta; also my last day so I had to pack first.

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, as a region, lies immediately to the west of Ho Chi Minh City and comprises a very large river delta, and has been dubbed as a ‘biological treasure trove’. Over 1,000 animal species were recorded around the year 2000 and new species of plants, fish, lizards, and mammals continue to be discovered in previously unexplored areas.

To say it was a river cruise is over-selling it as we sailed on gondolas that were a little precarious which only added to the fun!

In the evening we had one last dinner together with each of us giving a farewell speech then I was off to the airport. There was rapturous applause for our local guide – well deserved! My only regret that I did not spend another 2-3 days exploring the city.

A truly memorable and special trip that I will never ever forget.

PS – The BBC ‘Top Gear’ programme was made after my trip and at one point Jeremy Clarkson was speechless about the country – that about sums up the experience.