Vietnam
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Recovery in Nha Trang (Vietnam)
It’s August 2022, and after emergency surgery in Nha Trang, JB is recovering for a month. My parents know people in Nha Trang (even though we’re from Hanoi), and during JB’s hospitalization, my mom and I get to visit two apartments. Located in a condominium, presented by her friends, and we end up choosing, of course, the most beautiful one, with an incredible view of the beach from the 24th or 36th floor. In short, paradise! It’s perfect for recovery. Don’t ask me how to rent it, because it’s been resold since. Every day, we can enjoy the beautiful morning light. It’s a three-bedroom, so my parents can stay with…
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Digital Nomads: A Week in Ninh Hoa (Vietnam)
In 2022, during our stay in Vietnam, we decided to settle in Ninh Hoa, a fishing village 1.5 hours from Nha Trang. I had been following on Facebook for a long time a Vietnamese entrepreneurs’ club and one of the club’s members had a hotel particularly suited to digital nomads, with half-board facing the ocean. The hotel sent a driver to pick us up at Nha Trang airport. It’s actually closer to Cam Ranh than to Nha Trang, and it took us 2 hours to get to Ninh Hoa. The flight was incredible—Nha Trang has many more mountains than I remembered, and I got to see Cam Ranh from above.…
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JB had emergency surgery in Nha Trang (Vietnam)
5/8/2022 JB wakes up in the middle of the night with excruciating stomach pain. Our doctor friend Vincent confirms over the phone that we need to go to the emergency room. He’s taken to the ER of an international hospital, a 1.5-hour drive away, before being transferred to Khanh Hoa Regional Hospital (Vietnam) for emergency surgery. His gallstone is causing him excruciating pain. After a successful operation by an excellent Vietnamese surgeon (recommended by my aunt), and 3 nights in the hospital, he was discharged on the 8th and is currently recovering. Thankfully, all this happened in Vietnam, not in a country where we don’t speak the language. My parents…
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My Current Favorites [May 2022]: Jade Bracelet and Small Leather Goods
Since we’ve been back in Vietnam, I’ve been spending more time eating and shopping than reading, so unfortunately my current favorites don’t include any books. We’ll just talk about the talent of Vietnamese artisans. Type A Jadeite Bracelet at Duong Ha Gemstones & Jade 139 Hang Bac Street, Hanoi I found this jeweler by chance. He’s the only one offering this type of bracelet, made of jade beads. While others only sell jade bangles, which I find not only old-fashioned but also fragile (easily breakable). I also don’t like the green color, “imperial jade” style either, so finding this slightly bluer shade was a real feat. He didn’t have the…
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3 Days 2 Nights in Sapa (Vietnam): flooded rice paddies in late April
Our friend A. was supposed to join us in Vietnam in 2020, but it was only after 2 years of covid that this project became a reality. We’ve traveled together several times before, but this is the first time he’s meeting my parents and traveling with them, in my country. Since I’ve often planned and organized our shared road trips all by myself, A. jokingly calls me “Anh Agency“. My parents are amused to see me acting like a tour guide, that is, paying for everything, booking everything, and setting the itinerary every day. It also lets my parents rest a bit and explore off the beaten path, as they…
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[Review] Avana Retreat Mai Chau, the best 5-star retreat hotel in Asia (Vietnam)
After a few days in Ha Giang, we got back in the car to head to Mai Chau for a relaxing long weekend. First stop: Avana Retreat. Note: this post is NOT sponsored. We paid for everything out of pocket. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Mai Chau is a beautiful valley. It’s about a 5-6 hour drive from Hanoi. It’s a popular weekend destination. Avana Retreat “Retreat” hotels are a category of hotels whose main purpose is to rest, retreat into nature, and fully enjoy it. Avana Retreat (5 stars) was voted the best retreat in Asia. It’s “the place to be” right now.…
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4 Days in Ha Giang (Vietnam)
After an 11.5-hour flight from Paris to Hanoi and three days of quarantine at my parents’ place (this was early March 2022, there’s no quarantine anymore), we’re in great shape to go on vacation with my parents. First stop: the mountainous region of Ha Giang, in the far north of the country, near China. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal I’ve traveled the world, but I don’t know my own country that well, especially the northern region. Before, it took a lot of patience to get there because of the winding, dangerous roads in poor condition. Now, with many signposts and two-lane roads that let…
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October 2020 Favorites: Books to discover Asian Culture
We aren’t (yet) confined to Italy but it is surely only a matter of weeks, considering the curve of positive coronavirus cases. I have a rather long list of books to read, but I will give you the books I have already read and loved, to accompany you during the evenings of confinement. This month, we will talk about books or films that help us better understand Asian (or Eastern) culture and beliefs. The list I give you isn’t mainstream. It’s not a list of Asian bestsellers, on the contrary. Journey to the East by Nguyên Phong (link): Since I am Vietnamese, I start with a Vietnamese author, whom I…
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Which visa for Vietnam? Visa Exemption, Visa on Arrival, e-Visa
Type of visa Duration Entries Cost Validity Possible extension ? Visa exemption 15 days 1 0€ All border crossings No e-visa 30 days 1 25$ Some border crossings Yes but expensive Visa to be applied for at theVietnameseembassy inFrance 30 days 1 60€ Yes 30 days Multiple 80€ Yes 90 days 1 80€ Yes 90 days Multiple 130€ Yes Visa on Invitation 30 days 1 50$ Yes 30 days Multiple 55$ Yes 90 days 1 70$ Yes 90 days Multiple 75$ Yes Visa exemption The visa waiver for a maximum of 15 days applies to citizens of the following countries: France, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Finland, Germany,…
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[story time] My family home in Hanoi in the 90’s
I never met my maternal great-grandfather, but I was told his story last year. He was born into a poor family in the country. At that time, every village had a teacher, called Ông đồ. Only wealthy families could send their children to the village teacher. My great-grandfather worked for this teacher and while tending the garden, he was able to listen to some classes. He was very intelligent and was able to assimilate the lessons himself and learn to write. When the teacher noticed, he gave him some private lessons for free. His resourcefulness was such that years later he was able to buy his first piece of land…
