If you ever want to do something very special for yourself, then go to northern Vietnam for a couple of weeks.  I have no doubt that you not only have a memorable holiday, but you will also leave Vietnam a changed and a better person.  The people as well as the natural beauty of the land can’t help to leave an impression on you.  The summary below is for Halong Bay, Sapa, and Bac Ha only, but Hanoi and a flight down to Hue’ and/or Hoi A...

Even though I know that I am too big of a baby to move away, I still usually judge a city by whether or not I would enjoy living there. Never in a million years would I have thought that Hanoi, Vietnam would be on that list. To say that I have been pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. I expected Communist block architecture, with sad, economically depressed people. Man my preconception of the place was way, way off base. Everyone seems to be happ...

All right folks, almost everyone I know has given me hell at one time or another for the off the beaten path places that I go to. Well, I 100% guarantee that you would all love Hoi An as well as Hue' in Vietnam. From the architecture to the relaxed atmosphere to the great food (seaside towns) and finally the history, both towns are perfect. Due to its unique architecture and street environment Hoi An is an UNESCO World Heritage site. This basically mean...

If you ever want to get a "feel" for France without having to deal with the French, then head to southern Vietnam. Over the past week or so, I have been to Saigon, Dalat, and Nahn Trang. Each town has its own flair, but each has French colonial undertones all over the place. The French connection comes in a many, many forms - wide boulevards with flowers down the center, baguettes, street side coffee shops, French restaurants, a mock Eiffel Tower, etc. All in...

I just can't leave that downer of a journal entry out there as the lead story, so.... I am a rock star / super model / carnival act again! If you recall, I was a BIG hit in China. Well, my fame has returned. What a difference a five hour boat trip from Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Chau Doc, Vietnam makes. In Vietnam the kids are laughing, playing games, practicing martial arts, etc. It is both wonderful and refreshing as compared to Cambodia. While al...