17 DAYS IN VIETNAM

A NATURAL GEM WITH ENOUGH PHO AND SCOOTER RIDES FOR A LIFETIME

Saigon

a hustling city and motorbike haven. we explored the streets and became expert traffic dodgers.

IN THE MOMENT: Just crossing the street was a thrill. Loud and wild the streets seem to a foreigner, but to the Vietnamese it’s their way of life. 4 people on a scooter, no problem. Our level of respect for the scooter and it’s capabilities increased 10 fold on this trip.

You can visit over 20 different districts in Saigon with all unique characteristics. District 1 was touristy but nice to see famous local architecture like the Opera House, D.2 was an expat area and international zone if you are dying for some great Mexican/French, D.4 just over the river apparently used to be “gangster” as the guide told us, then D.5 is Chinatown which is a local area with a blend of Chinese influence. And in every district the heart of the city bleeds with energy, people just keep going and going.

P.S - Later on we found out there was a 150% tax on cars so thats why people mostly used scooters; they can’t afford the expensive tax! Messed up we think. Unless you use it for a business, most people use scooters/motorbikes or just regular bikes to get around. We even saw a motorbike with a horizontal refrigerator!

MEKONG DELTA

ON A NON-TOURIST TOUR THROUGHOUT THE MEKONG DELTA, WE MET A VILLAGE THAT USES EVERY PART OF A COCONUT - We MEAN THE SKIN, LEAVes, MEAT, EVERYTHING. TOGETHER THE SMALL TOWN EXCHANGED TO US SUCH A LIGHT ON AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY.

IN THE MOMENT: This tour was a great time for us to ask a billion questions. The local Vietnamese guide, Ram, spoke English, so he answered all of our questions to our observations. He was happy to chat and heard his story of learning English from watching excessive episodes of Jimmy Kimmel. He taught us Vietnamese language is all in the mouth versus English’s use of the throat. His trick was going deeper and deeper in tone to really exercise that esophagus, also mentioning the voice of Morgan Freeman as inspiration. Head over to Inspitrip for this super local Vietnamese experience you just can’t miss

Ho Tram

JUST A 40 MIN RIDE EAST OF VUNG TAU IS A SMALL AREA CALLED HO TRAM. NOT MUCH TO DO THERE BUT EXPLORE OUR BEAUTIFUL (AND AFFORDABLE!) RESORT. I MEAN this place was pure heaven and still under 1,873,144.00 VND ($80 USD) a night to stay.

IN THE MOMENT: We decided it was time for a little spoiling, after all this is our vacation. The point at which our crap was in the room and we were finally settled at the resort, we headed to the bar, correction, bar on the beach, correction bar on beach in canopy on beach with fresh juice cocktails, mmm. OMG, this moment in particular needs to repeat over and over, god damn. Ho Tram Beach Boutique Resort & Spa is the quintessential get-away from city life in Saigon all without breaking the bank.

Hoi An

ENCHANTING, JUST ENCHANTING. AT NIGHT IN The Ancient Town IT IS A SIGHT TO SEE, PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD COME TOGETHER AND ENJOY the Small Shops and glowing lanterns as they cross the river bridge.

IN THE MOMENT: We popped into a side car from Victoria Hotel where we were stayed. They could get us into town. Ok. Definitely recommend riding in a side car - its very freeing. Anyways, we get dropped off and then enter the historic Hoi An District. Best part, walking only - no scooters. We finally felt like we had breathing room to walk the streets and oh my god, these lanterns. Thats exactly what happened. We were just enamored by them all of a sudden.

Then over near the river, breath taking again and incredibly romantic. We were reminded us of our old home in Venice, CA.

Must See: UNESCO World Heritage Site My Son Sanctuary just 40 mins outside Hoi An and countries like France and India also pitch in to keep its remains alive. Built in the 4th-14th century by the Kings of Champa, they survived through everything, even the Vietnam War — just find the craters for proof.

Coffee: CocoBox 94 le Loi | Quang Nam Province, Hoi An 560000, Vietnam (cin cin cold brew and coconut iced coffee with a warm chocolate croissant)

Dinner: Am Restaurant, 33D Ly Thai To Street, Hoi An, Vietnam (spicy noodle soup 2nd level of spicy Korean-style, corn soup, fried rice with veggie and egg, all drowned with Tiger beer and lemon juice). This place was a small walk from the center of Ancient Town, but well worth it for the bomb food and chill Saigonese waitress Joceyln who gave us some good recs as we headed back to Saigon.

Vung Tau

ON THE EDGE OF THE WATER, an old french colonial town, awaits as AN ESCAPE FROM THE CITY. VUNG TAU OFFERS Saigonese FOLKS A PLACE TO RELAX IN A LOCAL FISHERMAN. PLus the beaches are expansive.

IN THE MOMENT: We were so hungry and also needed to catch the train from Vung Tau back to saigon. Hmm… Chase found an incredible halal joint, Viet An Halal, just a bit down the road. We say fuck it, we’re hungry, let’s go. So we do. OMG people, talk about the best vegetarian Indian halal in Vietnam (there we said it), so good it made us almost late to the ferry back.

Da Nang

A MIX BETWEEN MIAMI AND SANTA MONICA, but basically a city by the beach. It was covered in construction of foreign development money (CHase didn’t mind the concrete), but hey at least Vietnam is getting the attention it DESERVES .

IN THE MOMENT: Walking along the beach at 9:30am while watching people play volleyball, eat banh mi’s on the go or just hang out and play checkers was an interactive ecosystem of community. We experienced this community feel again when we checked out the dragon bridge “fire” — people surrounded the outskirts of the bridge ( vendors annoyingly selling balloons) everyone with there iPhones just waiting for the fire breath…little did they know, they’d get drenched with water spewing from the dragon’s mouth.

Eats: Thuc Duong Bao An Macrobiotic, 56 Hoàng Bích Sơn Đà Nẵng, Da Nang, Vietnam (amazing vegan spot with a small local shop; we bought some lotus tea leaves, handmade soap made by blind Vietnamese kids, and a little vegan miso paste)