Day 1 Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh, checked in hotel and went for a massage, then boarded a Cruise Dining of Asian Food, and a fusion of Traditional and Modern music entertainment. 


Day 2 saw me on a Walking Tour on District 1 mainly the must-see places and the French influence on Saigon; and a Motorcycle Tour to District 3, 5 and 10 for off the beaten track hidden gem such as a no name pho place of over 40 years heritage and their 8h slow boiled rich beef broth; ofcoz I gotta end it off with a Rooftop Bar with Live Band!


Day 3 - Arrived at the mesmerising city of Hoi An, loving the food, the lanterns, the ambience, pretty much everything around!


Day 4 Vietnam - My Son, Hoi An. Truly an amazing city if lanterns! Falling in love with this city and what a great way to spend Mid Autumn Night!


Day 5 - Vietnam, Ba Na Hills, Danang. Time flies, especially at Ba Na Hills, experiencing the Sun, the Rain and the Wind all in the short 5h span. Very well built Tourism Attraction with Insta Worthy shots all over and a very very very comfortable weather. Will be back!


Day 6 - Vietnam, Da Nang. The last day before the family vacation end. Today is a full day foodie experience. 2 food tours, one in the morning, exploring local eateries and a few historical sites, while the night focuses on popular food places which have been visited by chefs and culinary experts. Very interesting culture at some of the food places where they sell by per pax, no ordering needed because they only sell that particular food / set meal. Ended the day with a Han River Cruise with performance.


Day 7 - Great dining experience at Ancient Hue, where they plate food items for the Royalty in the past. Tasty food, more than wonderful service, and truly amazing skilful food art carving! Each decorative piece takes 40 - 70 mins to carve and thus its limited in quantity! Lucky me!


Day 8 - Vietnam - Hue. .

Today was a full day city tour with a Private Guide. Very informative rundown of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam from 1st to 13th Kings. In midst, there are sites and mausoleums of several kings to visit and to trace the Kings life or thinking. .

The citadel greeted us with massive walls surrounding the 520 Hectares fortress. This is indeed a witness to the power of the reign; and the confucianism beliefs presented on concretes and carvings. Detailed info found at: https://en.vietnamitasenmadrid.com/2011/07/hue-citadel-imperial-city.html .

Then we head to the tombs after a brief stop at Thien Mu Pagoda where Reverent Thích Quảng Đức burnt himself as an act of peaceful retaliation via a Dragonhead Boat along Perfume River.

So the tombs:

Gia Long was the first Nguyen king and one of Vietnam’s most significant historical figures. He reinforced Confucian values, moved the capital to Hue from Hanoi, began construction of Hue Citadel, and coined the country’s name: “Việt Nam”. .

Emperor Minh Mạng continued his father’s legacy, ruling a large empire, crushing rebellions, upholding Confucianism Values and Resisting Foreign Influences. He is reported to have 500 wives though no concrete evidence possible except that he fathered 142 children. .

Emperor Tự Đức had a strong affinity for art and poetry, a passion he channeled to craft his romantic, illustrious tomb. Tu Duc wanted his final resting place to blend harmoniously with nature. Sadly, out of 104 wives, he had no sons at all, thus left him no choice but to hand to his nephew as his successor. He is known to be the Filial King that we spend half of every month to take care of his ill mother.

Duc Duc’s dominion lasted for a mere three days before he was deposed and sentenced to death under suspicious circumstances. His small, humble tomb reflects his brief reign.

The tomb of Emperor Khải Định splits general opinion with its blend of Eastern and Western styles and thus we may admire the most elaborative and elegant tomb. He embraces French colonialism to the point that he raised 30% tax for the construction of his tomb.

Credit info also from https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/inside-guide-hue-tombs

Other than that, Ive learnt about Buu Tan (a mythical representation of emperor), Kieu - Palanquin - Royal Carriage, the Unicorn (Chinese Qi Lin lookalike, only the King's unicorn have 5 instead of 4 toes) and the 4 seasons of vietnam - Apricot, Lotus, Chrysanthemum, Willow. .

WHAT A DAY! I am also introduced to Tom Doling for his detailed archive of Vietnam History.


Day 9 - Vietnam, Hue. Today spent the first half of the day Cafe Hopping and the next half going on a Walk of Revolution of Hue.

Hue was under the Champa kingdom, and the 3rd king of 84yo decided to marry a 25yo princess, Huyen Tran of Tran Dynasty. Unfortunately, the king died and thus the princess was supposed to be cremated with the king. Being saved by his father Tran Anh Tong, Champa led a huge invasion against South Vietnam as a form of anger in 1308, and stayed in power until 1801 when Gia Long took over and named "Vietnam". 1832 Vietnam drove away and abolished the Champa Kingdom. .

Soon in 1858, Europeans came, ended Feudalism. The Portuguese created Vietnamese Language, while the French came for missionary to spread catholic. Then there are several other civil wars in between between North and South which caused the DMZ in 1955, until the Sacrificial Monk in 1963 saw the end of the conflict by assasinations. .

But the peace didnt last long until US officially attacked in 1965. In between, there is also the Tet Offensive incident 1978 and finally Reunification by Ho Chi Minh that ended the US-Viet war in 1975. The victory wasnt purely the efforts of Vietnamese but also internal conflicts, AWOL and Morality Struggles of the US within themselves. Many do not fully understand who are they fighting for. When it all seems finished, there are also 1979 Frontier war, where Cambodia and China attacked the North Vietnam. .

Through the 2 days of Hue, we kindda learnt that Vietnam from the start, was not as "powerful" as it seems for all the "won" battles, but rather because of their perseverance which eventually received generous help from external parties which eventually led Vietnam to be exhausted of all resources from all the conflicts. History is history, there are no rights and wrongs in war, just matter or perspectives; as we learn history, let us also think about our everyday battles. Who are we fighting for?

Day 10 - Vietnam, Danang. A very relaxed day, woke up with a shower so slept in, went to the Iconic "Lady Buddha" which is in our context Goddess of Mercy for the town used to be typhoon-riden until the construction of the statue. Then Cafe Hopping, before heading to Fivitel Hotel Afternoon Tea Break buffet. Went for Leg Bath, Facial and Head massage before the Nen Fine Dining Experience. Nen Restaurant - Vietnamese Contemporary Fine Dining - 8 Course Excursion Set with Palate Cleansers, Cocktail and Sparkling Water. Truly Extraordinary! A great way to end my Central Vietnam Journey, from Food Tours to Street Food to Fine Dining, having to taste a wide array of flavours from something staple to something special. Well done Summer Le, head chef of Nen! Came back to continue the massage with Full Body, Scrub, Cold & Hot Stone, and Leg Massage.