Travelogue from Vietnam: Three pearls in Vietnam

In March 2023, Charlotte, our Customer Relations Specialist, embarked on an exciting journey through Vietnam, traversing the country from north to south. Read about her experiences here.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay was a real highlight of the trip for me.

A stunning natural spectacle with limestone cliffs jutting out of the water. The incredible views made the overnight stay on the Pelican Cruise in the centre of the bay an unforgettable experience. At several points during the program, you can experience the cliffs up close: Tai Chi on the sun deck, short hikes, a visit to a cave or kayaking in the bay.

Before reaching Ha Long Bay and our floating hotel for the night, we made a memorable stop at an oyster farm. My colleague, Louisa and I were already impressed with Hai as our guide, but that day he truly shone. As he shared stories about the oyster farm, our group grew, captivated by Hai’s storytelling. In no time, a lively cluster of travellers from another group had gathered around him, and he continued his tales with a mischievous smile on his lips.

The time on the Pelican Cruise was also a great opportunity to get to know other travellers.

With around 25 guests on the ship, we quickly fell into conversation with visitors from all over the world. For example, I went canoeing with someone from Argentina and we chatted about everything under the sun.

The Mekong Delta

On day 8 of our trip, we visited the Mekong Delta area with our fantastic guide Lam.

It was an incredibly exciting day, filled with a diverse array of local experiences beyond the bustling metropolis we’d experienced in Ho Chi Minh City. We witnessed the creation of various products, including rice paper, coconut sweets, and other rice-based snacks. The best part? We could sample and purchase these delicious treats right on the spot.

We embarked on a serene sampan journey along the tranquil river, offering us a deeper understanding of the surrounding landscape. Following this, we enjoyed a hands-on lunch experience where we had the chance to test our own culinary skills. While our creation may not have looked quite as impressive as expected, it tasted delicious. Our wonderful guide, Lam, was a constant source of insight and guidance.

She even complemented our fruit platter for dessert with something she had picked herself: a pink fruit whose shape and texture reminded me of an apple.

Phu Quoc

We spent the last part of our trip on the island of Phu Quoc.

We had the pleasure of staying at the Green Bay Resort, which was truly a paradise. During my time there, I didn’t want for anything and there were countless ways to spend the day, whether it was renting a canoe or SUP board, taking a refreshing swim, indulging in spa treatments, or hitting the fitness area, savouring delectable dinners at one of the two exquisite restaurants, or simply unwinding on the beach with a captivating book.

The resort was also committed to sustainability. I noticed thoughtful touches like repurposed packaging, used both at the breakfast buffet and the shampoo containers in my bungalow’s bathroom. In addition, the resort had its own herb and vegetable garden, located right next to one of the two restaurants. So, you could watch fresh mint being picked for the refreshing melon juice.

With kind regards

Charlotte

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller