From Halong Bay and Hue, to Ho Chi Minh City

Our Vietnam trip so far has been, in one word, chill.

We took a boat out to Halong Bay from Hanoi and for the first time in a while, I looked up into a starlit sky in Asia before heading underneath to our cabins for a good night's sleep. The following day we took an overnight train down south to the central coastal city of Hue, where I met up with one of my best friends from Oakville, Lindsay Cook.

Hue, compared to Hanoi and Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City, whatever you want to call it), is a laidback city that isn't as terrifying when you're walking across the street. We toured the old Vietnamese capital, walked across the Perfume River to see the citadel and its version of a Forbidden City, then strolled through the humongous local market.

Eating through each of these Viet cities has been one of our favourite activities so far; flavourful beef broths for our pho noodles, the refreshing mix of dill, mint and chilis in various dishes, and chocolate crepes with Vietnamese drip coffee for dessert.

And this morning, I've woken up in Saigon after a night of a few too many drinks in a city of neon lights and in-your-face noise pollution. Finally, we're in a place with warmer temperatures. Time to break out the shorts, tank tops and dresses; time to continue exploring...