Been a while since we last blogged, soo much happening. Took the overnight train from Hoi An to Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) as it now officially called) We got on at about midnight after a two hour delay and arrived at Siagon at 5pm, long journey but quite comfortable. We shared with two ladies and three kids, so 7 of us in a 4 berth cabin. And they had loads of luggage including lots of fresh veg. Slept OK but our fellow passengers woke up early and the k...

Sleeper bus journey was fine as it was four hours in the day, wouldn't want to do an overnight as the beds are Vietnamese sized! Stayed at the Botanic Garden Home stay which is more like a good guesthouse. Hoi An is wonderfully flat and so we spent a lot of time on the free bikes. As the weather is really hot, cycling gives a refreshing breeze. We spent a morning with a local family, there was a sign outside their house inviting you in to see their house and how ...

Hue is a lovely city set on a River and the town is decorated in national flags to celebrate Liberation day- the end of the war for independance from the french in 1954. We booked a car and driver to take us to visit the royal tombs that are dotted around outside of the city. Hue was the ancient capital of Vietnam and many emperors from the 18th and 19th centuries built lovely palaces and tombs in the area. The first one we visit has several buildings set around...

We leave the hectic City of Hanoi behind and travel south to Ninh Binh (cool name huh?!) We'd hoped to travel by train but there is a public holiday so the train is fully booked. Instead we pay US $5 each and join a tour that's visiting some sites near to Ninh Binh, that will leave us there. In fact we get a free tour with a great guide who explains the sights we visit- we just have to buy the entrance tickets. First stop is an ancient capital of Vietnam (968-100...

Hanoi is a world away from Luang Prabang and Laos. The streets are a maddness of car and scooters. Sooo many scooters travelling in all directions and with all sorts of cargo. We are staying in a nice small hotel in Old Hanoi, ensuite room with a window (apparantly a rarity in Hanoi) but we've had to pay a frightening 450,000 VND per night. Frightening amount until you translate it to 12.20 GBP! Visited the city's landmarks; Literature Temple, where the local s...