sam heart travel

Day 5 - Hanoi: A Mix of Culture and Comfort  Today was supposed to be a chill day, a much-needed break from all the walking tours we've had. But the Hanoi weather was just too good to pass up, so we decided to squeeze in one more tourist spot! At 9 AM, I woke up to the delicious aroma of banh mi and pho for breakfast. After savoring every bite and resting a while, I freshened up around noon, ready for whatever the day held. By 1 PM, we had booked a Grab and were off to the Temple of Literature. This ancient temple, dedicated to Confucius, is Vietnam's first national university. Walking through its serene courtyards and admiring the intricate architecture was a beautiful experience, a peaceful step back in time. After soaking in all that history, our stomachs started rumbling. All those days of pho and banh mi had me craving something different – fried chicken! And where else to find the best fried chicken in town but Jollibee Hanoi? So, at 2 PM, we embarked on a 10-minute walk ...

TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 4 – HANOI CITY TOUR  Date: 01/08/2026 | Weather: Sunny with clear skies 9:00 AM – MORNING START  Kicked off Day 4 with a hearty breakfast – though we’d planned to try Bánh Xèo (a crispy, sizzling Vietnamese pancake made with rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, typically wrapped in lettuce and herbs with nuoc cham sauce), we stumbled upon a bustling street stall serving incredible bánh mì first! The flaky baguette stuffed with grilled pork, pickled veggies, and fresh cilantro was the perfect fuel. After eating, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up for the day’s packed itinerary. 12:00 NN – CITY TOUR BEGINS The sun was shining bright as we officially launched our Hanoi city tour – a day dedicated to diving into the capital’s history and culture, with food and museums as our guides. 1:00 PM – LUNCH AT TUNG’S KITCHEN By noon, our stomachs were calling, so we made our way to Tung’s Kitchen. The cozy spot served ...

DAY 3 - HALONG BAY: WHERE SUNSHINE MEETS EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURE  Our day started with the warmest greeting of the Sun – after 6 days in Vietnam, the sun finally showed up with its friendly sunlight, and we knew the trip would be lovely. The reality of our Halong Bay tour exceeded our expectations. Sometimes we can never really assume everything that is written on the web. We waited for our pickup at 8am, then departed from the old headquarters at 9am heading north. Our first comfort stop was at Tram Vic Du - 23 by 10am, followed by a quick visit to a pearl farm at 11am before continuing on our way. By noon, we’d arrived at the Halong Bay port, bought our tickets, and boarded our cruise ship. Lunch was served at 12:30pm as the cruise set sail, and we were already mesmerized by the limestone karsts rising from the emerald waters. At 1:30pm, we visited three caves – Sung Sot Cave was the highlight, surprisingly accessible and tourist-friendly. Best of all, there were so few visitors that...

Day 2 in Hanoi: When Plans Shift, Local Discoveries Begin  Our second day in the heart of Hanoi started off cozy and low-key. By 9am, we’d picked up our laundry and grabbed some delicious banh mi to enjoy back at the hotel – while Badet took much-needed rest under the radar. We’d planned to kick off a city tour at 11am with our Klook booking, but unfortunately, the ticket was no longer valid. Instead of letting that throw off our day, we pivoted quickly – by 11:30am, we’d booked a Grab and headed to Go Mart! From 12pm to 3pm, we dived into local life: stocking up on groceries, hunting for souvenirs, and sampling all sorts of treats – from classic pho to the viral coffee bun, plus fresh local fruits and dishes. We even had a late lunch at the food court there, soaking in the hustle and bustle of how locals eat and shop. By 4pm, we were back at the hotel, where the group decided to rest up early to be ready for tomorrow’s plans. But I couldn’t resist exploring a bit more on my own. A...

  HANOI 2026 TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 1 – FROM SAPA’S MOUNTAINS TO HANOI’S HEART  Early Morning Rush from Sapa Our day began long before the sun rose – at 4am, we were up and prepping for the journey from Sapa to Hanoi. After a quick refresh, we headed out at 6am for breakfast near Mimosa Hotel, where we dug into hearty fried rice with pork paired with creamy Vietnamese Drip Coffee with Milk – the perfect fuel for a long trip ahead.  By 6:45am, we were back at the hotel to freshen up and wait for our shuttle van. Prompt at 7am, the van arrived and we hurried over to the G8 Sapa bus office to board our sleeper bus. We settled in by 7:45am, and the bus pulled out sharp at 8am, leaving Sapa’s misty mountains behind. On the Road to Hanoi  The countryside between Sapa and Hanoi was a delight – rolling hills, humble villages, and crisp, chilly air made every moment worthwhile. We made our first stop at Tram Dung Nghi Dung Anh at 8:30am for a quick break and snacks, then hit the r...

  SAPA DIARIES: DAY 4 – RAINY ADVENTURES IN CAT CAT VILLAGE  6AM – Rise and Shine! The alarm went off way too early, but with a big day ahead, I dragged myself out of bed. Quick bath to wake up fully, then a light bite to eat – just enough to hold me over until proper breakfast. 8AM – Fuel Up at Cong Cafe Made my way to Cong Cafe and boy, was it worth the trip! Their banh mi was chef’s kiss – crispy baguette stuffed with fresh veggies and savory meat. Paired it with a Vietnamese Cappuccino that had the perfect balance of strong coffee and creamy foam.  The cozy vibe of the cafe was the best way to start the morning! 9:30AM – Off to Cat Cat Village Grabbed my phone and booked a Grab to Cat Cat Village – super convenient and hassle-free. Upon arrival, we paid the entrance fee and got ready to explore one of Sapa’s most iconic spots. 10AM – Descending to the Village The path down to Cat Cat Village was a bit steep but lined with beautiful mountain views. By 10:30AM, we were ...

  SAPA, VIETNAM 2026 – DAY 3 Early Morning Hurdles & Plan B Breakfast  The day kicked off at 6:30 am sharp – alarm blaring, hot shower on, and ready to tackle whatever Sapa had in store. By 7:30 am, we’d hit the ATM and booked a Grab from Fansipan Sunworld to Viettreking Sapa Hotel, all set for their breakfast buffet. Unfortunately, walk-ins weren’t allowed – a quick reminder to always call ahead when traveling!  Thankfully, nearby Lado Hotel came to the rescue. While the buffet options were limited, the food was high-quality, and the view of the monorail cutting through the mountain landscape made up for it. We fueled up and enjoyed the crisp morning air before heading back to Hotel Mimosa to rest at 9:30 am. Weather Woes Lead to a Cozy Detour Our original plan was to explore Cat Cat Village, but Sapa had other ideas – bone-chilling cold, strong winds, and thick fog blanketed the area. With visibility almost zero, we decided to hold off and wait for better weather in...

Sapa Travel Diary: Day 2 – Chasing Clouds (and Warmth!) at Fansipan  5 AM – Alarm blared way too early, but hey, we had a mountain to conquer (or at least try to)! Quick bath and packed layers upon layers – winter in Sapa is no joke! 7 AM – Fueled up at Cong Cafe – their espresso with condensed milk is pure liquid gold, and the crispy banh mi with savory fillings hit just right. If you’re in Sapa, this spot is a must-visit for morning eats! 9 AM – Headed to Fansipan, the "Roof of Indochina."  We took the monotrail to the cable car station, but the journey was already testing our patience – each stop had a 30-minute queue! Once on the cable car, we climbed higher and higher… only to be greeted by biting cold and zero visibility. The peak was completely shrouded in fog, so we had to scrap our summit plans. Pro tip: Fansipan isn’t advisable during winter season – save it for clearer months if you want that panoramic view! 12 NN – Made our way back to the cable car area to grab l...