This trip has been the trip where i've honestly travelled the most across Vietnam in a while. The last time i went to Dalat was probably about 6 years ago. Nothing has changed much - the market is still there, the roundabout is still there. People are much more shy. And it was much colder than HCMC, dramatically less humid. But beautiful. Really peaceful and somewhere where drinking a hot coffee in the frosty air reminds me of Melbourne.
This afternoon, I head to Hanoi and everyone is telling me it's freezing. 8 degrees? That can't be right in Vietnam - but it is! I'm slightly scared of freezing to death (not literally of course) but I didn't pack the right clothes.
HCMC has been beautiful this time around - the weather is not too humid, it's not too smoggy and today is the 2nd day of clear blue skies, not the haze that you usually get.
A lovely cafe to visit in HCMC is Kita - restaurant and cafe but it's got that kitschy feel - 41 Nguyen Hue St, Q.1 - cross between french and vietnamese style. Good lattes, good loungey music.
The other place I found yesterday was Lam Boutique - again, it reminded me of a Melbourne boutique because it's up 2 flights of stairs, real dark and grimey but you open up the front door on level 1 and it's a world of vintage designs, mismatchs and cute french-inspired indie clothes designed by Ms. Lam. It's at 71 Mac Thi Buoi, Q.1.
Another place to eat is 13 Ngo Duc Ke, Q.1. Real small restaurant but real traditional vietnamese food. Ther's an old man in slacks and those elastic belts and a real funky moustache who is there everyday taking your orders so you'll know you're in the right place if you see him. Great food, service is alright. A lot of foreigners seem to have found out about the place.
Also, told by a friend, you know those balloon men - those guys who walk around or ride bikes around with the massive bunch of balloons to buy, DON'T BUY THEM!!! DO NOT BUY THEM! they are filled with hydrogen. A friend bought 3 one time and for some reason, it got caught something, caught on fire and singed his hair and burnt his arm! Way to crush a little girls love for balloons eh? hehehe.
Anyways, that's all for now. over and out with love and grace,
V-A
This afternoon, I head to Hanoi and everyone is telling me it's freezing. 8 degrees? That can't be right in Vietnam - but it is! I'm slightly scared of freezing to death (not literally of course) but I didn't pack the right clothes.
HCMC has been beautiful this time around - the weather is not too humid, it's not too smoggy and today is the 2nd day of clear blue skies, not the haze that you usually get.
A lovely cafe to visit in HCMC is Kita - restaurant and cafe but it's got that kitschy feel - 41 Nguyen Hue St, Q.1 - cross between french and vietnamese style. Good lattes, good loungey music.
The other place I found yesterday was Lam Boutique - again, it reminded me of a Melbourne boutique because it's up 2 flights of stairs, real dark and grimey but you open up the front door on level 1 and it's a world of vintage designs, mismatchs and cute french-inspired indie clothes designed by Ms. Lam. It's at 71 Mac Thi Buoi, Q.1.
Another place to eat is 13 Ngo Duc Ke, Q.1. Real small restaurant but real traditional vietnamese food. Ther's an old man in slacks and those elastic belts and a real funky moustache who is there everyday taking your orders so you'll know you're in the right place if you see him. Great food, service is alright. A lot of foreigners seem to have found out about the place.
Also, told by a friend, you know those balloon men - those guys who walk around or ride bikes around with the massive bunch of balloons to buy, DON'T BUY THEM!!! DO NOT BUY THEM! they are filled with hydrogen. A friend bought 3 one time and for some reason, it got caught something, caught on fire and singed his hair and burnt his arm! Way to crush a little girls love for balloons eh? hehehe.
Anyways, that's all for now. over and out with love and grace,
V-A
