November was a crazy month, starting with my parents visiting from the US! I was very excited to show them around Singapore but the real highlight was traveling around Vietnam with them for a week. I had already been to Vietnam a handful of years ago, but pushed this trip because my Dad hasn’t gone back since fighting in the Vietnam war in the 1960s as a Marine. He’s talked about visiting for years but never found the right time. I figured what better time since they were already spending 24 hours flying over here!
Our Vietnam trip started in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. We stayed in the Old Quarter and explored around Hoan Kiem Lake for the first day. We walked a ton and made sure to see St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Temple of the Jade Mountain, Hoa Lo Prison Memorial, and the Temple of Literature.
I didn’t take any pictures in the Hoa Loa Prison because I had a bunch from my first visit, but it was interesting to hear my Dad talk about the protests in the US during the Vietnam War. His own brothers took part in them while he was over there fighting. I’m not sure how it made him feel at the time, but he recognized the US should never have been involved and understood why it was such a controversial and unpopular war.
The following day we did a tour of Ha Long Bay. The tour company picks you up from your hotel in the morning, you spend a few hours driving to Ha Long Bay, spend a few hours on the Bay eating/ visiting a cave/ boating, and then head back to Hanoi. It’s only a quick glimpse into the beauty of Ha Long Bay, but since we didn’t have the most time, it was a convenient option.
And just like that, we left Hanoi for Hue! Honestly, having been to Hanoi three times, I don’t think you need more than a day and a half in the actual city, and then either a day trip or overnight trip on Ha Long Bay. The food is incredible, and walking around/shopping in the Old Quarter is always a good time, you just don’t need that much time to see the sights and learn the history.
The second part of the trip was mostly meant for my Dad, so those of you interested in Vietnam War sites, check out the next post for what visited!
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