Hello Vietnam, I'm back!

At the end of last year, I had the opportunity to return to Vietnam for the fourth time. Many people asked me, "Hey, are you going again? You don't like it, do you? Hey, aren't you bored going to the same places?" I can honestly say, "No!"

Because I love Vietnam!

But this time, it was a trip out of season. The most adventurous! The most muddy! The wettest! And the coldest!

Because we went during the rainy season!

This trip lasted a total of 9 days. December 26, 2016 - January 3, 2017

This time, we started our journey from northern Vietnam to southern Vietnam.

Hanoi - Ning binh - Phong nha - Hue - Danang-Hoian-Dalat- Hochiminh

But the main goals of this trip were Phong nha - Hue - Danang and Hoian.

Because it was the first time I had been there.

Day 1

This trip began in Hanoi, with a flight ticket purchased for 1,667 baht. The short one-hour flight allowed for some relaxing music listening. We landed at Noi Bai Airport at 8:40 AM, very early, but the price was unbeatable. No choice but to accept it!

After exchanging money at the airport, I took a bus into the city. The bus stop was located on the left side of the airport near the end of the terminal. I saw a bus with the number 86 and approached it. The driver handed me a map and pointed to a destination, seemingly forcing me to board the bus. I declined and informed her that I was heading to the Old Quarter, a central district in Hanoi. The driver agreed and I waited for 15 minutes. The fare was 30,000 dong, approximately 40 Thai baht, which was affordable and convenient.


After sitting on the bus for almost an hour, the girl with the bob haircut pointed to the window and said, "This is the Old Quarter, get off here." We believed her and got off the bus. But when we got off, we realized we had no idea where we were in the Old Quarter! We tried to open our map app, but we forgot to buy a SIM card! No internet! We decided to walk around and look for a place to buy a SIM card. We are in the age where we can't live without social media, so we were willing to endure the fatigue. Then we came across an amazing shop selling SIM cards for 120 baht with 30 days of free internet! And you can even make calls! I repeat, you can make calls! It was so cheap it felt like we were being scammed. The auntie even put the SIM card in for us for free! Thank you so much, auntie!

In our opinion, Hanoi has a better environment than Ho Chi Minh City. However, the honking and motorbike traffic are similar in both cities.

Our initial plan was to purchase tickets for a sleeping bus to Phong Nha and rent motorbikes to explore the area around Ning Binh while waiting for our overnight departure. However, the ticket agent informed us that the bus could pick us up directly in Ning Binh as it needed to collect passengers there, eliminating the need for us to backtrack. We agreed that this was a sensible option and opted to take a regular bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, renting motorbikes there instead. And so, our plan changed!

After a two-hour bus ride, we reached the end of the line. However, our guesthouse, the starting point for Phong Nha tours, was still further away. With only taxis available and the distance being relatively short, we opted for a taxi. We handed the driver a piece of paper with the guesthouse's name written in Vietnamese by the ticket seller, which we couldn't decipher. The guesthouse was a small establishment that served as a central hub for Phong Nha tours, as evidenced by the numerous backpacks belonging to foreign tourists. We left our luggage there and rented motorbikes to explore the surrounding area while we waited. Our primary purpose for visiting this location was to explore the Mua Cave.

Ning Binh offers a variety of attractions, with Tam Coc being a popular destination for tourists. Tam Coc involves taking a boat ride along a river, passing through caves and enjoying scenic views. The boatmen use their feet to paddle instead of their hands, as often seen in online reviews. Having previously visited Tam Coc, we decided to explore other areas in the vicinity. We headed to Mua Cave, located approximately five minutes from Tam Coc, at the same location where visitors board the boats. The proximity makes it easily accessible. Following the lead of other tourists, we embarked on our journey, eager to discover the hidden gems of the area.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The road leading to Mua Cave is surrounded by mountains on both sides. Buffaloes, goats, and goat herders can be seen along the way. You can go down and play with them, but they will run away. I tried, but! But! But then the unexpected happened!!! It started raining!!! The protagonist of the trip! From not liking it, it became yes. No matter how much we ran, we kept encountering it. But who cares? Let's continue, friends. We'll get used to being a little wet.

Hello, my friends!

We have arrived at Mua Cave. As the name suggests, it is a cave. However, there is no passage through it; you can only climb up the stairs. There are over 100 steps, but the view from the top is worth the effort! The entrance fee is around 50-100 Thai baht.


We finally reached the top! The sky after the rain began to clear, but the dampness and humidity lingered. The highlight of this place is the white spiral staircase that winds its way up, culminating in a giant white dragon statue at the peak. This is the top spot, and the most beautiful view is from the dragon's back. There are small nooks on the sides that you can climb, but be careful as it's quite high and steep. The view from the top is breathtaking!

The view below is Tam Coc, which I mentioned earlier as a popular tourist destination for boat tours. While it has its merits, there is a strange downside: after paying for the boat ride, you are forced to tip the boatman or they will refuse to take you back to shore. We ended up paying the tip in confusion and disembarked with a sense of bewilderment. However, this negative experience was an isolated incident.

We then returned to the bottom and it was time to eat. We had plenty of time before boarding the bus at 8pm, so we decided to take a quick look around. We came across a market, which was the local market here. The food looked a bit strange, but we like to try new things. 10,000 dong, 20,000 dong, let's go.

After a satisfying meal, we felt drowsy and decided to prepare for bed on the train. The technique for sleeping on the train is not difficult. If possible, choose the upper bunk to avoid noise, even if you can't avoid the smell. 5555

Day 2

Good morning Phong Nha Ke Bang! We arrived at our hostel in the small town center, a popular spot for backpackers from all over the world, just after 5:00 AM. Luckily, we were able to check in early, avoiding the usual wait until noon. Woohoo! We were joined by several other passengers from our bus, representing a diverse range of nationalities and religions. We're staying at the Easy Tiger Hostel, which is very social and affordable. The thick blankets are a bonus, especially considering the budget-friendly price. Saving costs is always a good thing!

We started the day by renting a motorbike. It was an adventurous ride, as we braved the pouring rain.

The scenery along the way was breathtaking. The motorbike rental shop provided a printed A4 map with directions to nearby tourist attractions. However, the map was not waterproof and became completely soaked, rendering it unusable. We relied on the map on our mobile phones, stopping under cover to check it as it rained continuously. The road was a narrow two-lane shortcut that ran alongside the river, offering a comfortable ride. It may have been deserted due to the rain, creating a gloomy atmosphere. However, the views along the way were truly remarkable.

The first destination of the day was a duck farm. Yes, our duck farm is called The Duck Stop. It's not strange, but it's cute. Imagine 10 ducks running towards you, oh my! And then they chase you in a row, oh my! But wait! I told you I was going with Fon, but what came with Fon was a chocolate and almond road. Oh wow! Crunchy! The deeper you go, the more muddy it gets. When will we get there? I followed the road, but there were no signs. I asked an uncle on the side of the road, but we couldn't understand each other. He pointed and told me to go to the same place. Go! go! pub and cold beer. I thought, that's the second destination, uncle. Anyway, we're here. Let's go find it. My duck farm.

The more you get dirty, the more experience you gain. Take turns driving and share the fatigue.

We found it easily, the only difficulty was the road leading to it. The Duck Stop is a small house where you can park and say hello. The owner is Vietnamese and speaks perfect English. After relaxing with peanuts and cold beer, it was time to feed the ducks! (There is a per capita cost here because they charge for duck food, but drinks are paid for separately and are not expensive.)

We spent quite a long time with these ducks.


The massage is now complete, and the duck has been thoroughly relaxed.


Our next destination is The Pub and Cold Beer!! The name conjures up images of bright lights and loud music, but that's not the case at all. This pub is located in the middle of nowhere, deep in the forest. It's a restaurant that requires a long drive from Duck Stop, and the road conditions during the rainy season make it seem even further away. This place must be something special, as everyone we met along the way, from the old man on the side of the road to the locals, pointed us in this direction. The pub's slogan says it all: "You can eat chicken while they walk around."


Capture a photo with the Check-in sign at Phong Nha. Don't miss out on this iconic landmark!

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

This place is very popular among foreigners, as they often take selfies with chicken legs. However, as a Thai person, I prefer to take photos of the food while it is still alive. I give up! Let's change the menu. Oh my god!!!

Fried rice with pork and unidentified vegetables, simple in appearance but incredibly delicious. The green vegetables and the sweet peanut dipping sauce were particularly noteworthy. This meal was enough for two people, leaving us completely satisfied. Time to head back, taking the same route with its potholes and muddy patches. Epic!

On our way back, we took the main road after escaping the chocolate route. The scenery on both sides was very natural. And this is one of the symbols of this city: the city name letters attached to the mountain, clearly indicating that we have arrived at Phong Nha Kebang!!!

We arrived at the hostel around 6:00 PM and took a quick nap. However, we couldn't resist the lively atmosphere and headed to the bar, where live music played until late at night. We socialized with other travelers, exchanging stories and practicing our language skills. Around 11:00 PM, we returned to our rooms to rest, knowing that the next day would be an adventure-filled day at the Dark Cave.


Day 3 Good morning again Phong Nha! Today, we will be picked up around 8 am to travel to Phong Nha Kebang National Park. One of our destinations will be Dark Cave! Dark Cave is a cave, and the inside of the cave is chocolate! It's natural chocolate, directly from the source, because it's mud. But it's smooth, soft, and sticky mud. But to get to the cave, we have to go through a lot of things, including ziplining, swimming, and sliding. It's an adventure! The trip will be divided into groups of about 10 people each. Today, we have almost all of our hostel mates joining the trip, which is great! You can book a package from your accommodation. There are many options, but since we came here specifically for this trip, and with limited budget and time, we only bought one package for 1,350,000 VND per person, which is about 2,000 baht. This includes a guide and lunch. The package we chose includes:

  • - 8 Ladies Cave (Hang Tam Co) & War Martyr Memorial
  • - Paradise Cave (Thien Duong)
  • - Dark Cave for zip-lining, kayaking, swimming, and a mud bath

The first stop is the 8 Ladies Cave (Hang Tam Co) & War Martyr Memorial. It is a sacred place, so please dress modestly. Do not wear shorts or skirts above the knee. If you have a towel, you can use it to cover your legs. We did the same thing! There's not much to see here, so we didn't take any pictures. We were also a bit tired.

The second stop is Paradise Cave (Thien Duong). To reach the cave, you'll need to take a small car, similar to a golf cart, and then hike up a hill. Be warned, the hike is strenuous, especially if you're sleep-deprived and woke up early. However, the effort is worth it, as the cave is truly breathtaking. I managed to reach the top, even though I was lagging behind the group. No shame in that!


The interior is adorned with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The vastness of the cave is awe-inspiring, with its immense size and grandeur. Despite the strenuous climb to reach the entrance, the journey continues deep into the cave, revealing its hidden depths.

After spending approximately one hour exploring the area, we boarded the vehicle and prepared to depart for Dark Cave. At that point, we were famished. However, upon arrival at Dark Cave, our delight was palpable. Lunchtime!

This is a complimentary local food set included in the package price. The combo set is suitable for approximately 5 people, but on that day, our group consisted of 7 people. We were too shy to order more food, so we didn't get enough to eat. We were either too embarrassed or too hungry, I'm not sure. As you can see from the picture below, there is still 1 wing left.

The army marches on its stomach. It's time to enter the jungle and cave exploration mode again. Before entering the cave, you will need to change your clothes. You can wear bikinis, G-strings, or anything you like. You don't need to wear shoes, but if you're worried about losing them, there are lockers available. All tourists who come here must watch a video introducing the place and the steps before entering the first stage, which is a zipline across the river to the mouth of the cave. Where else would you find something like this?

Are you ready?

The water is incredibly clear.

We then zip-lined to the mouth of the cave. We could either swim or walk into the cave. We chose to swim, but I personally don't know how to swim, so I ended up getting dragged in instead.

Crystal clear water, cool and refreshing, where you can see the fish swimming.

The cave is very dark and there are no lights inside. You will need to use the headlamp attached to your helmet. Please check that it is working properly before entering the cave, as it will be difficult to see without it. Once you have walked into the cave for a while, the guide will ask you to remove your life jackets, as there is no water inside, only mud.

And this is the gang that we've been fighting through since 8am. 5555

The sight of everyone walking out with only their faces visible is quite a sight to behold. Some people even lost their faces altogether! This is the end of our journey into the cave, which leads to a mud pool that is so soft and inviting, it's like nothing I've ever seen before. There's even a slide inside for us to play on. I'm so impressed, I'd give this place a 20 out of 10! Dark cave!!

**Please provide the sentence or phrase you would like me to translate.**

Please provide the sentence or phrase you would like me to translate from Thai to English.

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On the way back, we took the same route, but this time there was no zipline. Instead, we paddled back to the shore in kayaks. Those who wanted to swim were free to do so before we headed back up to prepare for our return trip to the accommodation. But that wasn't all. We couldn't just leave without relaxing, so we did this.

Fish spa! Relax your feet with a fish pedicure before heading back to your accommodation to unwind and socialize.

Congratulations!


Day 4

We had to wake up very early again today, around 4:00 AM, to catch the bus to Hue. It rained the entire way to the bus station in Hue.

We arrived in Hue around 10 am. As soon as we got off the bus, we saw a large coffee shop in front of the station. We decided to stop by for a while to find accommodation, as we hadn't booked anything in advance. We planned to walk in and find a place to stay. However, we ended up having to buy raincoats to walk into the city. Since we had already bought raincoats, it seemed unlikely that the rain would stop anytime soon.

Good penguins, hahahahaha


Due to the unexpected rainfall, we had to adjust our plans and spend the night in Hue. We found accommodation at the HUE Backpacker Hostel, a social hub bustling with fellow travelers. Fortunately, we managed to snag the last two available beds. While waiting to check in, we stumbled upon a crowded eatery serving rice with various curries. Intrigued, we joined the queue and ordered blindly, relying on hand gestures as the vendor didn't understand English. The dish, surprisingly affordable, looked decent and tasted quite good. (Rest assured, it wasn't dog meat!)

After finishing our meal, the rain began to subside. However, it was only a temporary reprieve, as the downpour was sure to resume. We returned to the hostel to plan our next move. As we were discussing our options, a young, well-dressed British man approached us and greeted us. His accent was so refined that I could barely understand him. It turned out that he worked at the hostel and was backpacking through the area. We showed him the location we had marked on our map, and he promptly arranged for us to rent a motorbike. He was incredibly efficient, handling the payment quickly and smoothly. It was clear that he knew how to sell! We set off on our journey, following his directions and occasionally checking our map. The road we were on was quite challenging, and I began to wonder if we would be able to find our way back.

This is an abandoned water park. Even though it's in ruins, you still have to pay an entrance fee. It's not expensive, but I can't remember the exact price. The place is incredibly desolate, and the rainy season atmosphere is hard to describe in words. You have to experience it for yourself.

Turn everywhere into a runway, friends!!!

The main attraction for tourists is a pavilion in the middle of the water, wrapped by a dragon. Visitors can climb the stairs to the top, where the dragon's mouth serves as a viewpoint overlooking the area below. We parked our motorbike outside and walked in to find a way up. Initially hesitant, we eventually gathered the courage to climb after encountering two brave foreign tourists. We made friends by saying hi and following them with an enthusiastic "Ok! I follow you!" and "Go go!"

The entrance and exit are the same, and it is quite dark.

And this is the top view from the dragon's mouth. It's a bit spooky.

Leader, please.

We went as a couple and wanted a picture together. We asked a girl to take a picture of us, and she agreed. She said, "One, two, three..." and then took a selfie of herself. In the end, she took a picture of us, but we thought, "We could have just taken a selfie ourselves."

The overall atmosphere is undeniably charming.

We drove around the water park looking for the slides, but we couldn't find them. It was quiet and the weather was bad, so we didn't want to drive any further. There weren't many tourists that day because it was raining, so we decided to drive back to the hostel and relax. The hostel has a bar and restaurant downstairs, so it's a one-stop shop. It's open until about 11pm, and then we went somewhere else. For those who like to party, there's a club here too. The music is good and the people are friendly. I went there and had a great time. 5555

Okay, your turn!


DAY 5

After waking up, washing our faces, brushing our teeth, and packing our bags again, we prepared to check out because today we were going to continue our journey to Hoian and Danang. It was still raining as usual. The car would pick us up around 1 pm, and it was a sleeper car again. We loved it! Danang and Hoian are close together, and you can easily ride a motorbike between them. However, there is a lot of traffic, so we decided to stay in Hoi An because we planned to count down the new year there. Hoi An is a small town, but it is quite stylish and unique, making it very interesting. As usual, we walked around looking for accommodation. We didn't book in advance again. What was worse was that everything was fully booked during the festival! The places we had looked at were all gone. So we ended up staying at a hostel quite far from the city called Lucky Hostel. The price was average, but at that time, we didn't care anymore. As long as we had a place to sleep, we were lucky, just like the name of the hostel.


After checking in, we went downstairs to hang out at the bar. We greeted each other and then went out to hang out together.

As night fell, we hailed a taxi to experience the nighttime atmosphere of Hoi An. We headed to Hoian Ancient Town, where the maze of alleys was quite confusing for us, especially with the rain. However, the streets were still bustling with tourists almost all night long. The town is open both day and night, but it is particularly stunning at night, adorned with countless hanging lanterns and vibrant lights. During the day, it transforms into a shopping hub with trendy cafes, offering an overwhelming array of choices.

The next morning, we decided to rent a motorbike at the hostel to explore the city and head to Danang. It was a day of heavy rain. Our first stop was Marble Mountain, located between the main road leading to Danang. The interior resembles a temple inside a cave, with a viewpoint overlooking the sea. To reach the viewpoint, we had to climb the stairs from the side of the temple. This is a picture from the viewpoint that day.

The sea was shrouded in mist due to the heavy rain. Despite the downpour, we were determined to continue our journey. Riding our motorbikes, we braved the raindrops that lashed against our faces. The scene, though drenched, held a unique beauty.

Due to the heavy rain, we decided to abandon our original plan to visit Da Nang. The sea was not suitable for such weather, so we postponed our trip to Da Nang for another time. We returned to Ancien Town in the afternoon, and luckily for us, the rain started to subside. Although we brought many clothes, most of our photos were taken in raincoats.

Hoi An is a charming city. I would definitely return.

Follow me! Oh, just kidding! Let's walk in circles. Hehe.

After getting soaked, we grabbed a bite to eat before heading back to our accommodation to shower, relax, and prepare for the New Year's Eve countdown that night.

And then the unexpected happened, it rained! The rain stopped falling!! What a coincidence, but it was good. Happy for another night.

HOIAN I love you!!!!

"Happy New Year 2017"

Day 6

After the countdown that night, we returned to our hostel at 7 am and slept for another 2 hours. We woke up feeling unprepared to check out, as we had to catch a 5 pm bus to Dalad. However, we still had some time to kill before our departure, so we went for another walk around the Ancient Town. We made the most of every minute we had there, even though we had only slept for 2 hours.


Day 7

Hello Dalat! This is my fourth visit to this charming city, and I'm still captivated by its atmosphere and cuisine. It feels like being in Korea! This time, we came with a specific goal in mind: to try canyoning, in addition to the cable car at the waterfall. We paid 1,000,000 VND per person for the trip, which is roughly 1,500 Thai baht.

The price includes a picnic lunch in the middle of the forest. The car will pick you up at the hostel around 8 am. You will start by changing into the clothes that the team has prepared for you. It's very safe, no bikinis allowed. The clothes are like what you would wear for scuba diving. You must wear sneakers because the path is quite steep and overgrown.

Next, a team photo with our fellow travelers, all of whom we met at the same hostel.

The first few stations involved ziplining. At first, I was scared because I can't swim, and the water was fast and deep. But later, it was fun. Each station had different heights and unique challenges.

Our favorite base is...

Hello! This base can be played by multiple people. Choose whether you want to go headfirst or feet first. I invited my teammates to create a memorable experience together. Okay, I appreciate her sacrifice. Since I can't swim, I'll go headfirst, haha.

Are you having fun there? 5555

After the adventure, we trekked back to catch the van that would take us back to the hostel. However, there was no way we could simply walk back the way we came. Having ventured deep into the forest, we had to navigate our way out through fields, hills, and valleys, covering almost a kilometer.

We arrived back at our accommodation around 6 pm, showered, relaxed, and socialized. Admittedly, we were extremely tired, but we had an amazing time. We stayed in Dalat for two nights. At night, there is a night market where you can try local street food. It's a city that never gets old, especially the corn on the cob from this particular vendor. We always eat there when we visit. She sets up shop in front of the Lotteria store. Pull up a chair, warm yourself by the stove, and enjoy!


Day 8

We booked a bus ticket for today at 9 am to continue to Hochiminh. We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City around 6 pm. Before returning to Thailand, we chose to stay here for one night. And it was one night that was very hardcore. Let's just say it was a beautiful ending. 5555

Sleep well, mate! I'm going to sleep in the bathroom now.


Day 9

After helping our fellow travelers escape the bathroom last night, we woke up hungry and went downstairs for breakfast before packing our bags. It was time to say goodbye again, Vietnam! Our flight was around 9:30 pm, if I remember correctly, so we spent our remaining money on souvenirs and food until the very last minute. Everything was the same, except for the motorcycles! This trip to Vietnam felt like every other one: we didn't want to leave and wished we could stay longer. Some people who have been here before don't like it, while others do. Some find it boring and not as good as the reviews. But for us, there's still so much to discover here. We made new friends and had great experiences with people we'd never met before. We're sure we'll be back to explore more of Vietnam soon!

#PringleJourney

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