A personal reflection on traveling through Vietnam—what challenged me, what changed me, and what I’m still sitting with. From smog-filled Hanoi streets to conversations over cocktails, this journal entry explores the complexity of a trip that asked more of me than I expected, and left me grateful for it.
Vietnam
12 April 2025
Staying at Flamingo Cat Ba – A Scenic Stay Above Lan Ha Bay on Vietnam’s Northern Coast
Tucked between limestone cliffs and the quiet waters of Lan Ha Bay, Flamingo Cat Ba is a surreal, semi-finished luxury resort that offers panoramic views, Japanese baths, and an unexpectedly peaceful stay on Vietnam’s northern coast.
Clean beaches, lush national park trails, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting — this is Cat Ba at its best. Plan your trip with our full guide.
A review of Bhaya’s 2-day Ha Long Bay cruise—kayaking in Lan Ha Bay, biking through Viet Hai Village, sunrise tai chi on the deck, and why the overnight trip is worth it.
Tucked inside a walled compound just beyond Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature offers a rare sense of stillness. It’s Vietnam’s first national university — founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius — but even now, nearly a thousand…
A thoughtfully-paced 48-hour itinerary through Hanoi — with stops for egg coffee, water puppets, temples, train tracks, pesto clam pasta, and quiet moments in between.
A lived-in guide to Hanoi, Vietnam—where to stay, what to eat, what not to miss, and what to let surprise you. Based on my own route through the city, this is for travelers who want more than a checklist.









