It might say Bermuda, but our island girl, Carmen Gracey was in another world: Vietnam
Bermudian Carmen Gracey had only heard about Vietnam via war stories. She decided to meet some friends there for a three-week vacation. What she found was an incredibly rich culture and fantastic food that everyone should enjoy. This is one island girl’s postcard from Vietnam:
Friends of mine decided to take a year off and travel the world. “Come and meet us someplace” they said. That was all we needed, immediately the maps were out and it was decided – we were going to take 3 weeks off and head to Hong Kong and then Vietnam. We only spent 3 nights in Hong Kong as we really wanted to focus on Vietnam so as a result I feel I got less of a feel for it than I did Vietnam so that’s what I’ll write about for you.
Like most Westerners all I had ever heard of Vietnam was the War with America. It never even crossed my mind as being a vacation destination but after a few Google searches I figured it looked like a place I needed to see and soon.
Carmen is comfy on her long-haul flight
The flights were effortless even though one took 15.5 hours. With movies, good wine and port we were able to get some shut eye so don’t let that deter you from long haul flights. After 3 nights in Hong Kong we were on to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam and then immediately flying up north to Hanoi via Vietnam Airlines (which are amazing by the way).
In all honesty it took me 2 days to get over the culture shock of being in Vietnam. In retrospect I think it was the “constantness” of everything – people, cars, motorbikes, noises, smells; all foreign, amazing and intense at the same time.
Walking along the streets is in itself part of the adventure as the sidewalks seem to be used for everything but walking – cooking, eating, drinking, selling various textiles, family gatherings, you name it – but don’t try to walk down them. As a tourist eager to see all of what Vietnam had to offer you are left hugging the small bit of roadside that is used for walking. Eventually this just seems normal and you don’t even notice it anymore.
The food in Vietnam is fresh and delicious but you have to get past the Westerner’s idea of food safety and handling. One can never be guaranteed a clean kitchen or a kitchen at all in Vietnam so just go with the flow, eat what looks or sounds good and try everything because guaranteed it’s delicious. Lucky for us most menus were in English and Vietnamese so we felt comfortable with our choices. Fresh herbs are the key ingredient to most dishes and will be something I’ll miss dearly now that I have returned home. I wish I could go back tomorrow just to eat all of my new found favorites.
A Vietnamese Market/Carmen Gracey
The Vietnamese people are incredibly kind which is astonishing for a people who seem to have so little by way of material possessions and wealth but I’m guessing deep down they actually have so much more than we do with all of our material, shallow possessions. Hotel staff, restaurant staff and most people on the street were pleasant to deal with.
Our adventure covered so much ground and we kept our selves really busy so its’ hard to mention everything.
Here are a few highlights: We spent 5 nights in Hanoi, took an over night train to and from Sapa (a northern mountain region covered in terraced rice patties), and then had a boat cruise along Halong Bay.
We then flew to Hue where we spent 3 nights and enjoyed a motorbike tour with Hue Riders, the citadel and some down time in the markets. The adventure continued to Hoi An which was a personal favorite. 3 magical nights at a 5 start beach resort, custom clothes made at Yaly Couture, market shopping for pearl necklaces, chopsticks and all the essential souveniers.
Then another flight took us back to Hoi Chi Min for more shopping and relaxing before our journey back home to Bermuda.
Vietnam is definitely a place worth visiting. The mix of old and new is blended perfectly. The people, food and sights make it truly unique. It’s a very inexpensive vacation spot once you’ve gotten over the ticket shock of the air fare to get there!
If you can – make this a place to visit soon before it becomes too westernized.
Robyn's Wanderings 