Valentin’s trip to Vietnam

Got to Hanoi from Hong Kong. No expectations.

My first stop in Southeast Asia in my entire life.

I took a long bus to Hanoi and met my Couchsurfing host on a random bus stop. From that very first moment, I started feeling the amazing Vietnamese kindness. Handed me a helmet and drove me to his house in his scouter, and made me experience the most authentic travelling experience I have ever had. The traffic was shocking, scouters literally everywhere; everybody has the right of way, as well as the pedestrians walking through the streets.
The old quarter, even though really touristic, still was surprising. Had traditional food, egg coffee and great conversations about life.
The city’s atmosphere is enchanting, the pho places everywhere, Vietnamese wearing the typical hats, so charming.

Remarkably great was the trip to Sapa. I got the chance to walk around the rice terrains during an entire day and talked with a local lady who had never been outside Sapa. Told me her story, how she learnt English without having finished school. At the end of the walk, she invited me to her home somewhere in the middle of the green fields. I met her family. They invited me to try some local fruits and tea. Got to play with the little kids. Such an amazing and rewarding day which taught me
about happiness in the small things of life.
Definitely, I want to go back to get to know more and more Vietnam.