With this being out last spring break in Asia (we hope!), we had a tough decision about where to spend it. On the list were Vietnam, Cambodia and Taiwan.
The kids did not care.
I'd say Brian probably most wanted Cambodia and I most wanted Vietnam. The decision was made based upon where they could dive, as Brian wanted one more scuba diving trip with the kids. So- Vietnam won!
I really wanted to see Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Min City/Saigon in the south, but when we were planning this trip- right after New Zealand, when Macy was still in a cast, we just did not have the energy to plan a big trip. So we settled on Hoi An, Vietnam on the central east coast. We did let the kids choose if they wanted a big house with a pool or a cottage on the beach. They chose beach.
Because it was the kids last spring break here with friends, we told them they could each invite a friend. Macy chose Bella and Tate chose Sebastian. Sadly, neither of them were able to travel with us. It sure would have been fun for them, but truth be told- I do love when it's just the 4 of us traveling together. I know these days are numbered...
It was a such a different trip for us- just one city, one house, direct flight and only 5 nights away. It was a wonderful dip (not a deep dive like usual) into the beautiful country of Vietnam.
It's always fun running into people we know at the airport when traveling for breaks. It used to happen in Jakarta too. This time we sat next to one of my kids from school in the lounge, they were headed to India. And then we were walking to our gate and I saw Macy's friend DreLyn and her family, who were headed to Thailand. Macy & Tate ditched us in the lounge and went to find airport snacks- and our gate. So when I saw DreLyn, I had to snap a pic with her b/c I knew Macy would be so mad she missed seeing her-
I encouraged Tate to wear his new UNew Haven shirt, adding that it will be neat at his college graduation to see how many countries that shirt will have traveled to-
On the first day of classes this fall, it will already have 3 countries- South Korea, Vietnam and America!
We landed and quickly realized that we were in a communist country when we had to pay $150 cash in US Dollars (I even had Vietnamese Dong- yup, thats what the local currency is called) because they issued my visa without my middle name. Our neighbor friends were also on our flight and we just gave them almost $100 in USD because the visa for their 6 yr old daughter was issued with her DOB 2 days off. Thank goodness Tate had a bunch of money in his wallet. Cash is king, especially when its USD!
Once that fiasco was over and Brian calmed down, we headed to our Airbn, just about 40 minutes from the airport. The taxi couldn’t fit down the tiny alley, so off we went on foot with our suitcases to find our beach front house
Hoi An is known as the City of Lanterns and the Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lucky us that the night we arrived was the Hoi An full moon lantern festival in the Old City, which was just magical to see.
Walking around the old city was really breathtaking-
Everything is SO cheap in Vietnam. Including new Nike's-
Day 2 we had booked a bicycle tour. But first- check out the view from our bathroom window of the vibrant colors in the little courtyard-
From our backyard, this gate lead to the beach-
Good morning Vietnam-
The kids slept in a bit and Brian and I headed out for a morning walk on our beach-
Hello coconut, where have you traveled?
These small basket boats are still used for ocean fishing- going back to when the French levied taxes on boats in Vietnam and fisherman couldn’t afford to pay them, so they designed small woven “baskets” to use as their fishing boats-
Watching the local fishermen bring in their morning haul-
This sign was the perfect advertisement for us to pick it as our breakfast place-
Loved the little alley from the beach to our house-
We decided to walk around our "neighborhood" after breakfast and I could have watched these guys build these palm awnings all day long-
I love colorful doors-
We find that renting a local house really is one more way to get a deeper taste for the culture.
A quick rest before our bike tour begins-
Next up- hot & steamy bicycle tour through 3 villages known for make pottery, vegetable gardening and coconut farming.
So glad we spent time riding as a family in Jakarta years ago because riding in Vietnam- with no helmets (not an option)- sure was dicey at times.
Pottery Village entrance-
First stop in the pottery village was to a local shop to see how it is made. They use no electricity- they must partner up, so that one creates while the other spins the wheel continuously with a bare foot. Think this husband and wife team fight much?
We all got a try-
These women were OLD-
These were what they were creating-
Being a communist country, I highly doubt they were in business for themselves.
I also love colorful windows and this pottery village had a couple beautiful ones-
The clay is brought across the river on a boat, dumped on the shore, where it is cared for by this little old man under the tarp day in and day out-
Still smiling-
Next up was a ride in the basket boats, with a VERY refreshing cold coconut-
Always fascinating to see how the locals live-
Off to the coconut groves-
Our sweet old lady rowers were constantly singing "ole, ole"
Would have loved this tour so much more if there wasn't the stop at the dancing boats blasting Gangham Style.
Next stop- would be lunch in the lush and peaceful Tra Que Vegetable Village. But first- rice fields- 
And shrimp farms-
Our tour guide was great-
This was our view at lunch and it was amazing. So quiet & tranquil.
Then we had to dress up and walk through the fields, sampling many of the plants-
Dress up is not our favorite thing to do as a tourist.
Here is a legit farmer-
Another-
These guys? Not so much-
The whole no helmet thing really bothered me. And so did the bikes- 1 gear, crappy breaks, wobbly tires. But, God protected us and we had a safe day to remember!
That evening we headed into the Tailor Quarter- where you can have custom made shoes & clothing made.
The city is so pretty when it comes alive at dusk-
That night we wanted to go to THE most famous Banh Mi place, but sadly this is what we found-
There is usually a very long line (we would see it the next day) and while waiting there for a minute in shock that the place was closed, another tourist walked up with the same reaction. The owner then peeked her head out and said she had closed early, it was apparently a local holiday where people choose not to eat meat that day. Who knew?
On our way home, we walked by several of these sweat shops where young men were making clothes/shoes at night-
I did have a pang of guilt as we walked by, thinking about the orders we had just placed that someone about Tate's age, would now stay up all night, creating what we'd ordered. That is why we travel. To show our kids how other people live, so they can keep their complaints in check and have perspective.
Day 3- a bit of quiet time for Tate in this awesome nook-
We really liked this house. The architecture was pretty fascinating and the use of all the reclaimed wood was super cool-
The entrance was adorable-
We headed out for an incredible city food tour on foot trying, all the local foods at tiny hole in the wall mom & pop kind of places. We really saw this little city over and over on foot- and by bike the day before.
Off we go-
Stop 1- build your own fresh spring rolls-
Absolutely amazing! Thank goodness we were on a walking tour. It was so hot and humid, but we were so stuffed because the first stop was so delicious that I could not say no.
Stop 2- was actually her family's restaurant. The garden setting off the beaten path was so quaint. And we got to "meet" her grandparents and see there homes. Fascinating stuff.
The famous egg coffee-
Coffee with a raw egg, surely a war time thing. And we liked it! We learned that coffee is always served with tea in Vietnam, as seen above, but if you order tea, it does not come with coffee.
Some restaurants are known as "hammock cafe's" where taxi drivers take breaks. This was one of them-
Friendly chicken-
Always love seeing pineapple growning-
Time to walk again after SO MUCH food...
She took us through lots of little alleys, where we got a glimpse of real life, more sweat shops and food drying-
Can't get enough of these doors, or this cutie-
Poinsettia plants aren't just for the Christmas season here-
We made it to spot #3! This restaurant had a wonderful chicken and rice dish and chicken soup-
Off we go again-
Our final and 4th stop was for Banh Mi-
WE WERE DONE. We were stuffed. And hot. I said goodbye to the tour guide and joked that I never wanted to see her again!
We had just enough time for some beaching next-
The beach was perfect. Last year for spring break we went to Thailand and while on the beach, the breeze was so hot that it felt like you were having a hot blow dryer pointed in your face constantly. No one wants that. The temps here were PERFECT for beach weather.
Our cheery walk home from the beach-
Day 4 we headed out to the Cham Islands scuba diving for Brian and the kids on this boat with about 30 other International travelers-
Before we could head out of the port, the local fishermen had to make way for us to get by because today was the day for the annual boat races where each local village enters a team to compete-
The energy was super fun as our big boat passed by and they cheered us on jokingly!
It took us about an hour to get to the spot for their first dive-
I happily stayed on the boat this time (I usually will go snorkel) and prayed for their safety. Seriously, I did. I read a lot too, but Macy's accident in New Zealand really shock me more than I thought it did and I think I will now always be worried about the risks we take on vacation. A stomach bug is bad enough while traveling! We had a close call when Macy's ATV went off the cliff in Bali, then a bigger scare when Tate sliced open his head surfing and needed stiches in Nusa Lembongan, but Macy's accident and the medical care that was necessary afterwards really rocked me.
I was so delighted to pass out towels and snacks when they came up after their first dive-
About a 15 minute boat ride to their second dive spot-
It always amazes me that the boats really look like junkers, but they are sometimes the nice ones-
Let's go island hoping now-
Next stop- lunch on another island that seemed quite deserted-
And it was, minus one restaurant where the dive companies hit for lunch and some beach time when the day is done.
I was finally able to relax a bit as no one got hurt! Although this naughty monkey did throw a coconut just inches from Brian’s head after lunch-
Back in town for dinner. These are the old city taxi cabs-
Was the dog guarding the shoes in this store front?
Not sure if I would ever get tired of all the vibrant lanterns-
Day 5 was for beaching only! Walking our path to our fav breakfast spot-
We rarely ever go back to the same restaurant on vacation- but we felt like locals this week when we went back to the same restaurant 4 days in a row!
We also had a favorite neighborhood spa and on this day, we went before AND after the beach-
Okay, let's beach! The kids walked to the local market to buy a volleyball-
I had no interest in leaving the beach to get lunch- so we had it delivered from one of the tiny places on the beach-
See the faint islands in between Brian and Macy? Those are the Cham Islands, were they went diving the day before.
We had no idea what to get for lunch, so we told the owner we wanted the local stuff-
All delicious.
After a full day on the beach, Brian and I headed into town to explore a bit. We constantly passed by this "farmer" who was always in the field, napping & sitting atop his water buffalo-
This waterfront hotel was where our US Marines were stationed during the war-
Perhaps it wasn't as lovely then, but it sure is now!
Brian and I popped in for happy hour at Hill Station, one of the oldest shop houses in Hoi An-
I love a window front table so we can watch the world go by-
Off to dinner-
Brian found a great little place 1 alley away from our house. My turmeric fish was to die for-
Brian went with the whole grilled fish-
This is the tiny bbq grill they use-
Good night Vietnam
Our 6th and final day. Only 1 stop on the agenda before heading to the airport was lunch at the historic Tam's Pub & surf shop. Tam is almost 70 years old and credits her life to being saved by the American soldiers she met during the war, who even taught her how to cook. Her tiny little hole in the wall place is now popular with ex-pats and apparently had an amazing American style cheeseburger that we wanted to try. And we wanted to meet her!
Here is her story-
https://awanderingcasiedilla.com/2018/10/04/vietnam-war-story/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1gsbYuJ82n0VusK2IQPzouGTYrTypmX-F6nGhXERoK7M6OvyA3PY-sDj8_aem_AXNJsAFy7z4VpDCSY6H_4Xe4ZNYxtwmsIWD6FiNvqRn1cIFZWdlQHZt0oNo4UfrWY39blOPD9TZLVmDrYt8l-qxS
Sadly, when we got out of the taxi with our suitcases, we realized the place was closed-
There was a guy out front working on a surf board and he said Tam just left to go to a charity event. BUMMER! But we got to peek our head in and look at the photo gallery wall-
On my heart the whole time in Vietnam were my uncles who came here decades ago for a very different purpose. Never ever did they imagine just a generation later, family members would be vacationing in this country.
Overall, Vietnam really was what I thought it be- a bit backwards and rough, yet mostly lovely and beautiful. Very friendly and welcoming, extremely cheap and fairly easy. Plus full of French influence- from architecture to croissants.
And just like that, we were home. Sadly, we landed along with EVERYONE ELSE! We'd never seen immigration so long here. It took us over an hour to get through.
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