(TITC) - Laura Pullman, a writer of UK’s The Times published her 1-week trip experience in Vietnam with her husband.
According to Laura Pullman, the first time she came to Vietnam was when she was 19 years old, during her gap year. Returning to Vietnam after 17 years, she wanted to have the opportunity to explore more. “I needed to right youthful wrongs and explore properly.”, quoted Laura Pullman.
Laura and her husband arrived in Vietnam in February, during Tet holiday. The couple spent 7 days exploring the beauty of the country on motorbike and guides accompanied them. Peach blossom branches bloom everywhere, bringing an atmosphere of peace, happiness and prosperity for the upcoming new year. Laura and her husband whizzed around Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi's Old Quarter, watching Vietnamese women resplendent in their ao dai (national costume) celebrating Tet and taking countless photos.
Hoan Kiem Lake (Photo: TITC)
President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum (Photo: TITC)
Opera House (Photo: TITC)
Pho (Photo: TITC)
Banh mi (Photo: Vinpearl)
The Vietnamese tour guide brought Laura on a city tour, passing by the President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, the Opera House as well as enjoyed some Vietnamese dishes such as bun cha, banh tieu (deep-fried sticky rice balls), Pho cuon (Pho noodle rolls), beer and fresh kumquat juice.
“I absorb more of Ha Noi’s culture in two hours than I did in a week as a teenage traveller.”, Laura concluded.
Explore traditional craft villages
Another experience in Uoc Le, a village one hour south of Ha Noi, also brought them a cultural and historical impression with its rural architecture. Uoc Le Village not only attracts tourists due to its traditional craft and pork roll sausage specialties, but also the simple beauty of rural architectural works that mark the time. “We stroll the quiet streets, taking in the vast communal well, pagoda and ancient village gate. Tradition, heritage and craft are the lifeblood of Uoc Le”, stated Laura.
(Photo: Vinpearl)
The couple then visited a traditional craft house in Uoc Le village and had the opportunity to experience watching skilled workers making cone-shaped bamboo hats. People there say that bamboo hats can block the blazing sun or sudden monsoon rains. Laura imitated the young girls skillfully weaving and connecting bamboo strips. The giggles and guidance of the 90-year-old lady made her extremely fascinated.
Or going to another family's house to enjoy small cups of homemade rice wine is also somehow a stunning experience. Cha lua is also a specialty dish here and Laura had the opportunity to enjoy it.
Explore Ninh Binh
After an hour's drive to Ninh Binh, the landscape here is also very attractive: limestone mountains, mountains covered with green trees, rivers, caves and rice fields. It is also a bit surprising that this place was chosen as the filming location for Kong: Skull Island.
Photo: Collection
Laura and her husband spent their afternoon hiking up the mountain at Thung Nham Bird Valley which is located in the famous Thung Nham eco-tourism area in Ninh Binh. This is a rare nature reserve that almost retains its pristine, wild beauty, tropical forests, vast rivers, good land for birds to roost, and dozens of rare bird species.
Thung Nham eco-tourism area belongs to the core area of the Trang An World Heritage complex and is located right next to the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area. At a point on top of the mountain with a cinematic panorama below, Laura takes a breath to reiterate her gratitude for being able to escape the busyness and relax here. And at the end of the hike, the goat curry dish filled them with energy.
Con Dao full of surprises
A 2-hour flight from the capital Ha Noi took Laura and her husband to the Con Dao Archipelago. They tried all the activities: yoga, a singing bowl session (to cleanse our filthy chakras), paddleboarding, beach tennis and a boat trip, which begins with exploring the coral reef.
Returning to the motorbike rental, Laura also explored the island more comprehensive, including the Con Dao prison relic.
(Photo: Collection)
Con Dao is a pristine archipelago located off the southeast coast of Vietnam. The destination is a hidden gem known for its natural beauty, rich history and peaceful atmosphere.
The island's appeal lies in its pristine landscape, where turquoise waters meet fine white sand and dense forests with diverse flora and fauna. The archipelago is also home to pristine coral reefs, making it a paradise for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts.
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