sam heart travel

Hanoi to Home: A Bittersweet Farewell to Vietnam Day 6: Hanoi to Manila  The final day of our Vietnam adventure dawned with a familiar mix of excitement and the creeping melancholy of "sep_anx" – that uniquely Filipino feeling of separation anxiety. Our beautiful Hanoi hotel, which had been our cozy sanctuary, was checked out at 9 PM, and a Grab car whisked us away to Noi Bai International Airport, marking the official end of our incredible journey. The airport at 10 PM was bustling, but we efficiently navigated the check-in counter to secure our boarding passes. By 11 PM, our luggage was checked, and we breezed through immigration and security. With some time to spare before our flight, a late dinner was in order. We found ourselves at Bamboo restaurant around midnight, where the combo burgers were unexpectedly priced in dollars – a little taste of home before heading back. The boarding procedure commenced at 2 AM, and by 2:30 AM, we were airborne, leaving the vibrant lights...

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 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 VIETNAM 2026 - DAY 1:  FROM MANILA TO THE MISTY MOUNTAINS  Published: January 21, 2026 | Written from Mandaluyong (Philippines) DECEMBER 31: THE JOURNEY BEGINS Our Sapa adventure kicked off at 4 PM when we hopped on a Grab from Cavite to NAIA Terminal 3 – smooth ride, and we pulled up right at 4:30 PM. While we headed straight to check-in for our boarding passes, Benigno made a quick detour to the OWWA office to secure his OFW ID – a must-have for any Filipino worker traveling abroad.  By 6 PM, hunger hit hard, so we grabbed dinner at Kenny Rogers. We went classic with roast chicken and burger steak – comforting fuel for the long trip ahead. Immigration at 6:30 PM was surprisingly quick, no delays at all! We spent the next hour lounging at the boarding gate before the 10 PM boarding procedures got underway. Our flight from Manila to Hanoi was scheduled for 11 PM, and as the clock struck 12 midnight up in the air, we popped our cham...