Ha Giang and Hanoi and Hoi An, (H)Oh My!

Wow. We have so much to catch up on.

I am currently sitting in some random hallway at my university, and what a change it is from the last 2 weeks. I am coming off one of the best trips of my life and I’m going to tell you alllll about it!

Names you should know for this blog: Sara Gomez, Caroline Cohen, and Clara Mannes. These wonderful ladies go to Vanderbilt and they let me tag along on this epic escapade. 

My 2 weeks of backpacking SE Asia😎😏 started with a flight to Hanoi. Right off the bat, we landed and acted like tourists. After struggling with the ATM’s for way too long, trying to walk on a highway, and being hunted for by taxi drivers, we finally made it to our destination: some random street in the middle of nowhere. 

We found a restaurant that didn’t look like it would destroy us, and that is where we sat for the next 4 hours. Don’t be too sad for me though because that is where I had my first bowl of real Vietnamese pho! For those of you who know me, you know that is a (pho)king huge deal.

After lots of waiting and questioning our decisions, our lord and savior arrived– the sleeper bus. During my time in Vietnam, I learned I LOVE sleeper buses (VIP sleeper buses only of course). Other than the frigid temperatures, they are so lit and fun. 

The sleeper bus took us to our first adventure: the Ha Giang Loop. Now, reflecting back, I think it was also my favorite adventure of the trip. This was an absolutely life-changing experience, and I cannot stress it enough that anyone who has the ability should take it on. Me and my driver, Tuân, absolutely shredded the roads of rural Vietnam and showed the loop who’s boss. After absolutely stunning views, great people, and lots of smiles our time on the loop was over much too soon.

Post-loop it was time to get active in Hanoi. We stayed here for 2 nights and one day which we spent walking the entirety of the city and shopping until the sun went down. I was absolutely obsessed with this place and I cannot wait for the day I go back.

After our quick exploration of Hanoi, we set our sails on Ha Long Bay. We got on a one night cruise which entailed some kayaking, hot tubbing, and giggles as we racked up the biggest bar tab in Peony Cruise history.

The next morning, we explored a cave, and then went to the airport before ending up in Hoi An, Vietnam. Our mission here was simple: buy tailored clothes! Hoi An is known for custom tailoring for prices way lower than the quality. I designed a leather shoulder bag and got a dress for a very highly anticipated wedding coming up in October 2025 (I’m looking at you Sam and Bryce)! If you guys want to see these awesome pick-ups you'll have to hunt me down in person--I can't give the blog EVERYTHING. Oh, also, I had my first báhn mì! And it was at the place that Anthony Bourdain and Obama went! Yum!

Hoi An marked the end of our journey in Vietnam. We checked out of our $5 a night hostel (BREAKFAST INCLUDED) and were off to the next. I am incredibly grateful for the time I spent in this country. Vietnam was somewhere I always wanted to visit, and to say it lived up to my expectations would be an understatement. 

Vietnam Fun Fact: it doesn’t matter how bad you have to go, don’t use the bathrooms on the Ha Giang Loop.