Hanoi was our last stop in Vietnam. It's a lively city and a great place for observing local life. Every inch of pavement is taken up with fresh produce, tiny stools or steaming pots of soup. There's just so much to see (and eat!). The Old Quarter The old quarter is the best… Read more of "Hanoi: museums, street food and flowers everywhere"

As well as traditional Vietnamese coffee shops with tiny stools out front, Hanoi also has its fair share of trendy cafes. They're often hidden in alleyways, on the second floor or tiny hole-in-the-wall places. If you keep an eye out for them, you start noticing them everywhere… Read more of "Hanoi's coffee shops (inc. the best coconut coffee)"

An 8-hour ride on a sleeper train from Hanoi brings you to Sapa, a small mountain town in northwest Vietnam. It's a nice place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days, but most people come here to trek into the countryside and visit the surrounding villages… Read more of "Trekking to Hmong villages in Sapa"

Oh Vietnam ... just typing the word makes my mouth water. Food is everywhere in Vietnam, there are street food vendors and stalls on every corner and people eating at all times of the day everywhere you look. Food is fast, fresh and loaded up with herbs and vegetables. There are… Read more of "What to eat in Vietnam"

We were welcomed on to the boat with a "(1-2-3) SIN CHOW!!!" shouted in unison by the staff while rose petals were scattered on us from above. Is this what cruises are always like? Thanks to recommendations from a couple of friends, we booked our two-day Halong Bay trip with… Read more of "A two-day cruise in Halong Bay"

Hoi An is a picture-perfect Vietnamese town, with crumbling mustard yellow buildings, street food vendors wearing conical hats on every corner and a riverfront that's lit by lanterns. It's touristy yes, what used to be local businesses and family homes are now boutique hotels and… Read more of "Exploring Hoi An, Vietnam"