Vietnam, January 2024

Day 7: Travel Day to Hanoi, Vietnam

US airports could really learn something about efficiency from their Asian counterparts. I arrived at Chiang Mai airport, ready for my international flight to Vietnam. I expected it to take several hours so in accordance with US standards, I left 3 hours before flight time. I arrived at the airport 2 hours and 45minutes before flight time. I checked-in, had my Visa examined, dropped my bag for screening, had my passport stamped, went through TSA, had my passport re-examined, and was at the gate with 2 hours and 15 minutes to spare if that isn’t efficient, I don’t know what is.

Plane boarding. Everyone had carry-ons. Not once did I hear calls for volunteers to gate check bags. We boarded 30 minutes prior to take-off and we took off on time. It was so smooth. This was my second experience with Air Asia and I would definitely fly with them again.

Also last night, went to a water puppet show. It was mesmerizing. The costumes, the voices, the instruments. I would see it again just to hear the singing. I wish I had gotten videos but I didn’t want to obstruct the view of others.

I also learned the four sacred animals of Vietnamese culture: the dragon, the unicorn, the tortoise, and the phoenix. I know definitely what type of souvenir I’ll be looking for while here! After the show, my guide took me for a tour of Hanoi and to authentic Vietnamese dinner. I’m learning a lot about the differences in Asian cuisine.

Next up: Day trip to Tam Coc, Bich Dong & Hoa Lu

Day 8: Hanoi, Vietnam

I couldn’t wait to make this post.

I’m left speechless after just my first full day in Vietnam. This experience is changing me but the words to describe how are escaping me. So I’m going to borrow something from Gabrielle Stone (thank you Becki Mares). In her book, she describes a Thought Onion. Peeling back the layers of your thoughts. It goes like this

The Superficial Thought - this is gorgeous and holy cow, are they really doing that?!?! Sure, but I’ve seen beautiful stuff before. Why does this leave me speechless?

The Authentic Thought - so many Westerners think that underdeveloped countries are not worthy. We (the collective) criticize their laws, their governments. We think that when they immigrate to other countries that they will be a strain on too few resources. Yet I have found some of the hardest working people I have ever met. Beautiful silk embroideries, done by hand, taking months. Towering boxes on their motor bikes. Rowing boats with their feet for 90 minutes at a time. Working rice fields twice a year. Refusals to accept tips from me. Offers of dinner and beer. Such pride in their history, their country, their language. Being kind hosts to me as I learned about their country. Ok, yeah, they seem to be okay with the space that they occupy.

The Subconscious Thought - I choose the places that I choose because they are misfits as much as I am. Places that are as different to the norm as I feel in my every day life. Often rejected by mainstream society. Yet always, desperately still trying to fit in. Why else did Paris, London, or others not make my bucket list yet Vietnam, Iceland, Qatar felt like home? Hmm, But why don’t I fit in where I have been, where I am at? Or is it that I am just trying to prove that I am worthy - yeah I’m sure that’s it.

Not sure I got that whole thought onion right, but it definitely is a good start.

Check out my IG for video of the boat ride. It was so cool.

Next up: Da Nang, Vietnam

Day 9: Danang, Vietnam

With the best tour guide (Thanh Minh) ever, I saw Danang. We drank coffee (and saw a car accident), tried street food at the market (nem chua and banh mi), had avocado ice cream (Kem Bo), visited the Lady Buddha and took pictures together. I am so grateful to Minh for sharing her beautiful country with me.

If she ever finds her way to the US, I will most definitely repay the hospitality. And if I find my way back to Vietnam, I will be sure to say hello.

Day 10 and Day 11: Hoi An, Vietnam

It’s my last day in Danang and I must admit how incredibly sad I am to leave not only this beautiful city but also the new friends that I have made.

Yesterday, my day started at Communist Coffee. No, the shop isn’t owned by the government but rather, it is privately owned. Even communist countries have capitalism! The coffee shop symbolizes so much of what I have learned about this country. The resiliency of its people. Their storied history. Their eventual independence from China, France, the US. Their rebirth. Their work ethic. Their insistence on not wasting anything and finding new uses for everything. And the coffee, homegrown in Vietnam, I give it 5 !

After coffee, Lam took me to Marble Mountain but then we walked to an off the beaten path pagoda and burial site. His knowledge and ability to give me the kind of tour I craved was outstanding. He was so knowledgeable, engaging, and I can’t remember the last time I had a conversation with someone that I felt so connected to. I consider him a friend now and look forward to the next time I can see him.

After saying our goodbyes, I had yet another tour scheduled in Hoi An. This is a great resort town, amazing night market for shopping, a plethora of restaurants, boat tours, and highlight is the night lanterns. I could visualize coming here for a vacation with the kids if I can get them to agree to the long flight! Of course, I also blew my shopping budget here - I was doing so good. Of wait, those North face pants only cost me $16!!!! Good thing I have limited space - I could have shopped until I dropped.

Check out my IG for video of the Coconut Boat Tour party environment

Tomorrow: Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)

Day 12: Travel Day

Today I headed to my final stop in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (AKA Saigon). Before heading to the airport, I explored Danang a little by myself. I’m struck by how comfortable I felt walking around here.

After a short flight, I arrived in HCMC. I had dinner cruise scheduled on the Saigon River. It was much like having dinner on Lake Michigan. A little too chintzy for me but nonetheless a way to spend an evening.

The highlight: my room at the Le Meridien Saigon. The bed. The shower. And the view.

Tomorrow: Cu Chi tunnels

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

In all areas of my life, I am a planner. Who was getting the kids, what’s for dinner, where I need to be in the evening, what I am doing that weekend and even the next one. I even planned when I would write or study.

When I travel, it is no different. I like to know I have something planned. I like to know that I have accommodations booked. I like to know my travel dates.

But that is where my planning ends. Surprisingly I do little to no research about where I am staying, including the neighborhoods. I don’t search for all the best adventures. I don’t make reservations at the best restaurants. You get the drift I’m sure.

So today when I woke up early for a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, I had no idea what to expect. In the US, we learned a little about the Vietnam War (or as it is is referred to here, the American War on Vietnam). I didn’t know anyone personally impacted by it so I never felt those mood shifts that I have heard are common for veterans. I didn’t have any family that died in the war. So I was interested in today’s tour simply to see something new.

But boy was I in for a rude awakening. Today, I read about how two countries suffered at the hands of each other. I heard stories from the Vietnamese people, both for and against the Communist government. I tasted the food staple that the Vietnamese lived on during the war. I saw quite literally the impact of the war on the Vietnamese people and land of today. I touched the means of inflicting pain on each other. I smelled the gun powder at the range.

This post is not to make conclusions about who was right or wrong. I simply learned about two very different perspectives on the war. I have a hunger to learn more.

Check out my IG for videos of the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Next up: Koh Samui, Thailand