Destination Hue, Vietnam

Everything was peaceful and tranquil as I cruised along the Perfume River taking in the heady aromas while passing the tree-lined banks against a backdrop of mountains. But there was a sense that life had not always been like this here.

Hue, in central Vietnam, was the Imperial city under the rule of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 until 1945. Echoes of its royal past and the scars of civil unrest and war still can be felt.

Sailing along the Perfum River

The 1968 Tet Offensive, a bloody, 26-day long battle that, reputedly, was the turning point in the American War (Vietnam War) saw many of its ancient buildings destroyed or damaged. Today Hue is a fusion of the old and crumbling and the new and pristine.

Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most renowned holy complexes in Vietnam and an emblem of Hue’s regal past, was our first stop. The 21-metre (69 feet) high Phuoc Duyen Tower has seven storeys each with a statue of Buddha. 

Imperial Citadel

Last on our tour, but definitely not least, was the Imperial Citadel. Encircled by a moat, this walled fortress once contained 148 buildings; now only 20 are left. The Imperial City, located inside, is where the royal family lived. It took its inspiration from the Forbidden City in Beijing. The whole complex is a fascinating place to walk around as you get a sense of a bygone era.

Lang Co

All too quickly it was time to say good bye to Hue and head for Hoi An.  A drive along the winding roads of the spectacular Hai Van Pass is, undoubtedly, a memorable experience.  You are treated to magnificent views of Da Nang Bay.

Farning oysters

Of course, we had to stop and sample the seafood at the delightful fishing village of Lang Co. After a scrumptious lunch we watched, from the immaculate white, sandy beaches, oysters being farmed before we hit the road again.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

I flew from Hanoi with Vietnam Airways vietnamairlines.com

Stay at Imperial Hotel Hue, imperial-hotel.com This lovely five-star hotel gives a sense of place

Destination Halong Bay, Vietnam

Limestone peaks decked in greenery rising out of the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Tonkin make you want to believe that Halong Bay lives up to the meaning of its name, descending dragon.

Halong Bay

According to legend, a family of these beasts sent by the gods came down from the sky spraying enormous pieces of jade from their mouths to create a natural defensive wall to protect the new nation of Vietnam from its enemies. These gems eventually transformed into islands and peaks. Once the war was over the family stayed on Earth. Halong Bay is where the mother settled. 

En route we had a taste of everyday life in the country as we passed by rice paddy fields and even stopped in a few villages. We had seen pagodas and temples built centuries ago but Halong Bay is what stopped you in your tracks.  

A home on the water

A Unesco World Heritage site for over 20 years, this beauty is one of the country’s major tourist attractions and, like us, many visitors board a luxury junk boat for an overnight cruise.

After a delicious seafood lunch, we sailed around some of the islands on a small boat. Luckily, we did not stumble upon any dragons. However, we did see fish swimming in the water. We saw floating villages, temples, fish farms and watched as people traded with each other. We visited hidden caves that were inhabited by people thousands of years ago. The whole place seemed to be full of mystic and magic.

Old caves

Then it was time to return to the boat and take in a cookery class before enjoying a glass of wine while watching the sun set over this magnificent setting. 

Dinner was leisurely and there was a good choice of food including plenty of fresh fish. Time went really quickly. There were many interesting people on board with tales to tell. There was even a chance of trying your hand at fishing before bed. (Anything caught went straight back into the sea.) For early risers, there was a Tai Chi class before breakfast. 

Halong Bayis the perfect respite to the hustle and bustle of Hanoi

Halong Bay is the perfect respite to the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. After being lost in a tranquil world of beauty and stone statues for a day and night, it was time to return to reality.

By Daralyn Danns

Halong Bay is about a four-hour drive from Hanoi

I cruised with Bhaya Classic Halong Bay bhayacruises.com