Vietnam Việt Nam

Phu Quoc & on the road

From Ho Chi Minh airport I went straight to Phu Quoc Island, where my little holiday began. Phu Quoc was pure relaxation: sandy beaches, cocktails and amazing seafood. You can hire a scooter to get around, but I was happy to walk from A to B and enjoy a slower pace.

Then the real road trip started, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Apart from the highlights, it was mostly long hours of travelling and waiting for buses and trains. Another reason why next time I'll stay longer, and probably travel by motorbike.

The Cai Rang floating market

The night before, I met a fisherman on the bank of the Hau River who was just packing up his gear and boat. With very little English and a lot of hand gestures, I asked him if he could take me to the floating market the next morning. We agreed on a price and a time, and at dawn he was there, waiting for me.

So many impressions. Most people live on their boats: you see them hanging their washing, doing the dishes, with pets on board. To stand out among hundreds of boats, the sellers tie a fruit or vegetable to the top of a long pole to show what they're selling. Smaller boats, private buyers and even restaurants cruise around buying what they need, while others sell takeaway soup for breakfast (which, of course, I had). The trip ended with a beautiful sunrise and a full belly.

Hue

My next big stop was Hue, rich in culture, architecture and history. I explored the war museum and the Imperial Citadel on foot. It's impressive how this nation won wars against far bigger powers such as France and the USA. The war machines and equipment left behind, and even the cells where prisoners of war were held, all come with detailed information about the historic events. I spent most of my days walking from one architectural beauty to the next.

The hidden tomb

To visit the emperors' tombs you're supposed to join a tour… which I avoided. Instead I rented a scooter and bought tickets at the entrance. The first tombs were full of tourists, easy to reach and very well maintained. The stone statues in front of them are the guardians of each emperor.

But the tomb I really wanted to see was further away and hard to find. A lady selling at the first entrance showed me the way, and I followed her on my scooter until we reached the hidden tomb of the first emperor and empress: surrounded by jungle, off the beaten track, and not a single visitor. Two guards let me in for a small fee and gave me a little private tour, right up to the tombs themselves. That made my day, and left me with a little adventure to remember.