Took a short trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay. It's a world heritage site but I found it a little disappointing, possibly something to do with the fact that it was freezing cold! When you board your boat at Halong Bay you realise how popular this place is as over 400 boats are all jostling for position in a very small harbour. To board your boat you have to climb through about 3 otehrs to reach it, yet it's always the one at the back that wants to leave firs...

My last stop in Vietnam was Hanoi (except for a short trip out to Halong Bay). After another overnight train I was greeted by the somewhat unexpected feeling of coldness as I stepped outside. In fact I even detected goose pimples as the cold air hit my skin so I had to go hunting in my bag for a jumper, yes I really have had to wear a jumper! But a short transfer to the hotel revealed we were unable to check in for a few hours (I guess that's not unreasonable...

The journey to Hue may have been a short one but it definitely one of the most spectacular. The bus ride took us over the Hai Van Pass where you climbed and climbed up into the clouds, until you could no longer see the stunning lagoons and coves below you. Down the other side and back out of the clouds we drew alongside the Reunification Express (train) and followed this all the way into Hue. Hue is situated on the bank of the Perfume River and is famous for it&...

On to Hoi An, definitely one of my favourite places so far. After another overnight train journey all I wanted to do was fall into bed and sleep for a week, but the life of a traveller is never so easy. After breakfast an early morning cycling tour of the quaint riverside town was on the agenda, and it was something I wouldn't have missed for anything. We cycled through all the cobbled streets, passing more tailors shops than you can ever imagine. Trying to ...

Survived the first overnight train to be greeted by a beautiful beach at Nha Trang. An early morning stroll revealed I might be doing less in the way of swimming and more in the way of wave jumping however, as the South China Sea isn't exactly calm! But needless to say I spent pretty much the whole of that day on the beach. We found a great little place on the beach called Louisiana beach club where you could rent beds and umbrellas for a mere dollar a day an...