Continue Your Adventure - Travel Blog

in collaboration with Dagiac Famed for its karst towers, sunken mountains, viridian hills and flowing rice terraces, Northern Vietnam is a place like no other. With many areas vastly unchanged by modern tourism, the northern country is a welcome escape from the bedlam of the more populous southern cities. Whether you are looking to escape to the countryside or explore the urban jungle, Northern Vietnam has plenty to offer. HANOI - SAPA - HA LONG - NINH BINH Beautiful pagodas are just one of the many things to appreciate in Hanoi The capital city of Vietnam is a fascinating place…

By Craig Bowman "What is this? What is that used for? Do people eat that? Why is it that color?" These are the many questions asked at the market stop during the Insider’s Phnom Penh adventure. If you are like me, from a western country, you’d probably asked those very same questions. Maybe some of them you asked yourself as you are trying to pretend you know some knowledge of this foreign city. After all, we all are human and eat generally the same types of food, right? Okay so maybe an American might eat more pork ribs than a…

By Summer & Kayli www.getbusyexploring.com June 29th, 2017  What a day exploring the world’s largest temple. Alas, our long awaited adventure around The Magical Angkor Wat had come. And what better way to transport us to each temple than on the back of Vespas. We started our day by meeting our group at the Independence Royal Gardens outside the same Spirit House we were at the night before. After our brief meet and greet and a quick banana snack to start our day off, we then jumped on the Vespas and made a pit stop at the ticket office to get our temple tickets and have…

Written by Gerard Claramunt Hanoi and surroundings have been developing in Red River Delta – the biggest river in the north of Vietnam plays an important role in the history of inhabiting and developing of the country. Most of the rivers connect with the Red River before going to the sea, it makes the Red River becomes the main waterway to bring products from mountain provinces to the plains areas and return. Vietnam used to be a poor agricultural country, and the Red River is the main water source for the cultivating. If you would like to experience the daily life…

By Sally Writes Two things that Vietnam has in great supply are Vespas and great coffee. In fact, there are now around 35 million Vespas on the streets of Vietnam. And when it comes to coffee, the country is the second largest coffee producer in the world. Both have become a huge part of the culture and economy here. There's nothing much better than taking a break during a ride and finding a local friendly café to enjoy a delicious coffee while watching the world go by. But have you thought about switching your coffee to cold brew? It’s become…

by Craig Bowman Cities going through a transition period, such as Phnom Penh, often are faced with dilemmas in regards to the changes in property and landscape. Going from a city with very few buildings above 5 stories to one with many city high rises and urban planning, Phnom Penh has had to make room for these many investments. One such case happened to Boeung Kak Lake. It was originally the site of Phnom Penh’s largest and most beautiful lake. Estimates say the population around or near the lake is about 4,250 families, or 20,000 residents living on stilted houses…

by Craig Bowman Our tour guide just told us we are headed to our last stop of the night. We have been to several places and according to my watch, it is near the end of the tour, but it just seems time has gone by so quick. Our last stop already? Our group gets on our Vespa’s and leave Independence Monument after a brief history lesson and picture opt. We cruise for a quick bit and stop on the side of the street. At this time, although it is a big sized street, it is rather dead and a…

By Summer & Kayli www.getbusyexploring.com The restaurant we were at was one of the oldest Bun Cha in the country and in Hanoi. Bun Cha is one of the most famous dishes in Vietnam and we got to eat it in one of oldest locations. This restaurant opened up back in 1966 with just the first floor serving people. They now own all 5 stories and are constantly bustling with happy customers. And we now know why! The food was amazing! We jumped off our Vespas into a crowded restaurant and climbed 3 stories to our reserved table amongst some…

It's no secret that the motor scooter rules as the king of the road in Cambodia and Vietnam. These two wheeled road warriors display utter fearlessness at intersections and total mastery of the streets. Vespa Adventures offers a selection of tours that allows visitors the unique opportunity to participate in this choreographed chaos. Before your heart skips a beat, (that will come later), you sit behind competent drivers that take on the task of negotiating your way through the heart and soul of the city. This is the real deal, off the beaten path experience. Forget the touts of tourist…

by Cassidy Armbruster We headed out very early in the morning. After stopping for some traditional Vietnamese coffee, making our way to a local market and admiring the old Chinese architecture along the street, we took a small wooden boat across the Perfume River. Our drivers met us at the other side of the river with the Vespa’s, and took us on the most scenic and vibrant drive through tall mountains and green rice paddies. We eventually made it to a small village along the water, and wove through quiet streets with smiling kids climbing trees until we arrived at…

by Cassidy Armbruster 10 Must Try Dishes in Hue Hue, Vietnam is known for its cuisine, which is why I highly recommend you try a food tour if you have the time during your visit to Vietnam. The Flavours are rich, and the variety is plentiful. There are certainly well known must try Hue specialties like Bun Bo Hue and Banh Khoai, but Hue’s notable cuisine goes beyond these two dishes. I’ll introduce you to some dishes you can find at local spots throughout the city that you’ll have to try during your visit! 1) Ban Khoai My mouth waters…

by Cassidy Armbruster Imagine if one in four people in your country were murdered, and by your own people. That is what happened in Cambodia, and those are the words spoken through your headphones as you enter Choeung Ek, one of Cambodia’s largest Killing Fields. Choeung Ek has been transformed from an extermination camp into a silent, and peaceful memorial where one is led by an audio guide through the mass grave site. The information provided during the tour is extremely heavy, gruesome, and appalling, and even despite all of that, I recommend you visit. Following the tour of the Killing…

by Cassidy Armbruster 10,000 gold Buddha’s cover all four walls of the third floor from top to bottom, making the entire room shimmer.  Tuan and I entered the pagoda during a death anniversary ceremony, so we quietly wove through the group of men, women, and children praying in front of a shrine covered in candles and incense. Although Buddhists grieve when a friend or family member dies, there were no tears during the ceremony because death is seen as a part of life, and Buddhists believe in reincarnation. Death is thus merely a transition. The death anniversary ceremony is intended…

by Cassidy Armbruster Shrimp farming is a risky business, but an important one in Vietnam! This is because shrimp provides close to half of the country’s revenue from seafood. The shrimp doesn’t stay domestically either- it’s exported all over the globe. In fact, 70% of shrimp consumption in the United States and Western Europe comes from shrimp farms in South East Asia. As you can see, these shrimp farms are large, but you may be shocked to find out just how large. These farms generally start off with 100,000 shrimp, then grow to one ton of shrimp after just one…

by Cassidy Armbruster   Despite attending university in the South of the United States where seafood of every type is available in abundance, I pretty much steered clear of it. That is not the case here in Vietnam, and I’m glad for it. I’ve tried clams, mussels, snails, shrimp, and crab legs, and have enjoyed every single bite! Had I not done the Saigon food tour after dark where my hilarious and outgoing tour guide, Loan, encouraged me to try everything (and finish everything), I probably wouldn’t have been as brave. I highly recommend the tour if you’re looking to…

by Cassidy Armbruster   Don’t base your judgement of the Bình Tây market on the way it looks and feels on the outside, because I’ll admit the outside feels jam packed and overwhelming. When you step into what looks like a black hole, you step into a maze of vendors and products. However, unlike Saigon’s Ben Thanh market, these vendors don’t hassle you or grab at your shirt. In fact, most paid no attention to me unless I paid attention to what they were selling. You can find everything at this market, from fresh fruit to dry fruit, flip flops to…

by Cassidy Armbruster We give flowers to ask for forgiveness, to celebrate a graduation, to greet a friend, to mourn a loved one, or to show affection to someone, and I was reminded today at the flower market in Saigon that this flower culture humans have created is a universal one. Of course, there are variations and adaptations within each culture, but generally it is a shared one. On March 8th, for example, International Women’s Day is celebrated throughout Vietnam, and flowers are purchased in abundance. There are choices upon choices at the Saigon flower market with alleys filled with…

by Cassidy Armbruster No matter the mode of transportation, you’ll get to Siem Reap/Phnom Penh in one piece! None of the options are necessarily dangerous, but each have pros and cons that you may want to consider before making the trek across Cambodia. I hope this advice helps guide your decision in getting from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, or vice versa. Bus This is an adventurous, simple, and cheap option. As long as you get to the bus station 15 minutes before departure (depending on the bus company), all you have to do is sit and take in the view. I…

by Cassidy Armbruster  Water Beetles I know, it’s scary even to get rid of a beetle you find in your home, but trust me, it’s different here in Cambodia. The beetles are clean…and tasty! The female water beetles are much meatier, and are therefore sold at a higher price. The male water beetles have a pointy black piece under their shell that needs to be pulled off before you eat it. Just close your eyes, and crunch. Crickets This crunchy delicacy takes some bravery to try, but it’s most definitely worth a try. Crickets are served deep-fried and are cooked…

by Cassidy Armbruster It’s difficult to imagine yourself in a time other than the one you’re living. You can’t quite grasp the cultural norms, the political climate, the social expectations, the vernacular, or the gender roles. You can’t taste the food or talk to the people. Well, this morning I stepped into the 12th century. It’s not such a difficult thing to do at Angkor Wat, an extremely well preserved religious monument and the national symbol of Cambodia. Although weather and war have made their marks, the temple has withstood the test of time. The temple was there in the…

by Cassidy Armbruster   “Mmm:” the instinctive reaction to the sweet smell of incense. It’s not uncommon for your day in Vietnam to be pleasantly interrupted by the smell of burning incense. Whether you’re shopping in Hoi An, taking a stroll in Ho Chi Minh City, or visiting a place of worship in Hue- incense burns everywhere. But did you ever wonder where incense is made? Did you ever wonder what kind of people make incense or where they make it? During our day tour in the Mekong Delta, you will find answers to the most obscure of questions regarding…

by Cassidy Armbruster Bamboo is engraved in Vietnamese culture and daily life, providing protection and representing resiliency.  Bamboo can be manipulated in any shape or form to assist in the simplest or most complex of functions. Here in Vietnam, and especially in the countryside, bamboo is used for everything- from chopsticks, to chairs, to agricultural tools, to roofs, to instruments, to home decorations. Bamboo’s functions have evolved with time. Historically, bamboo trees were sharpened, bent, and used to create weapons and traps, but today you can see bamboo in the most unique of forms. For example, you may see an…

by Cassidy Armbruster   Yes, red lights are somewhat optional. Yes, the traffic is always buzzing. Yes, the sidewalks are constantly flooded with people. And don't worry, you will get better at crossing the street. Ho Chi Minh City is a place of organized chaos, but its chaotic nonetheless. You may need a relaxing breath of fresh air every now and again, and I've got just the options for you: 1) Taste Vietnamese Coffee in a quiet Cafe Iv'e tried a new cafe just about everyday, and each day I'm surprised to find the new cafe more relaxing than the last.…

by Cassidy Armbruster   You’re going to have to visit this magnificent post office to meet Mr. Duong Van Ngo, Saigon’s oldest public letter writer. I caught Mr. Duong around 3:05 PM, nearing the end of his 3:30 PM sharp work day. Although Mr. Duong had his plastic bag filled with his treasured belongings to head home, he offered me a seat, and assured me I wasn’t a bother; he wouldn’t leave a minute before 3:30 PM. Mr. Duong told me he started working at the post office when he was a mere 16 years old. Today, he is 85.…

We're so excited to be awarded 3 TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for 2016! We've received these in 3 cities - Ho Chi Minh City (3rd year in a row!), Hoi An, and Siem Reap. Thanks to all of our guests who have left wonderful feedback on TripAdvisor!   Haven't left your review yet? We'd love if you took a minute to leave your feedback on the world's largest Travel network, TripAdvisor.