“Rice field rebirth and warm soup on rainy days”

The throngs of travelers waiting for the train to rumble by, coffees and beers in hand The throngs of travelers waiting for the train to rumble by, coffees and beers in hand

From the border of Laos we took an eight hour bus through winding roads, over mountain passes and through local hill tribe villages to reach the idyllic Mai Châu From the border of Laos we took an eight hour bus through winding roads, over mountain passes and through local hill tribe villages to reach the idyllic Mai Châu

Known primarily for its beautiful rice fields and very welcoming local home stays, we took a few days to relax, meet some other travelers and bike around the fields

We were very fortunate to arrive right when rice planting was happening and watched the landscape transform each day from recently cultivated empty fields into lush and freshly planted green wonders ready for harvest later in the year We were very fortunate to arrive right when rice planting was happening and watched the landscape transform each day from recently cultivated empty fields into lush and freshly planted green wonders ready for harvest later in the year

Carissa has been painting watercolour for the entire trip and wasted no time in capturing the beauty we could see from our balcony.

Our home for a few days was the nice little cabin second from the left Our home for a few days was the nice little cabin second from the left

It’s been over 10 years since we’ve returned to Hanoi. We’ve been so excited to see the beautiful architecture again and taste how the food and coffee scene has evolved It’s been over 10 years since we’ve returned to Hanoi. We’ve been so excited to see the beautiful architecture again and taste how the food and coffee scene has evolved

From street carts to old restaurants, Hanoi has to be one of the best food destinations in South East Asia thanks to the combination of traditional northern Vietnamese, Chinese and French cultures From street carts to old restaurants, Hanoi has to be one of the best food destinations in South East Asia thanks to the combination of traditional northern Vietnamese, Chinese and French cultures

Bún Chả Đắc Kim gifted us with the true highlight meal (so far) in Vietnam Bún Chả Đắc Kim gifted us with the true highlight meal (so far) in Vietnam

Steaming hot bowls of bún chả (marinated and grilled pork in a delicious broth) and fresh, crispy nem cua bể (pork and sea crab spring rolls) with an excess of fresh herbs, cabbage, garlic, chili and rice noodles

Our food odyssey continued in earnest over a few days Our food odyssey continued in earnest over a few days

Top and middle right: Bún bò huế comes from Hue (further south) and is a complex dish that’s only slightly spicy, salty but very moreish — perfect for this drizzly Hanoi day

Middle left: Bún bò nam bộ (a dry-ish beef noodle dish packed with herbs and some crunchy additions)

Bottom: Roti bơ sữa is an absurdly delicious vanilla bun from King Roti that Carissa remembers enjoying from our time living in Melbourne

Left: on a walking tour with some new traveler friends we came across this misty train bridge leading out of the city. Right: we returned to Train Street during a quieter time on a different day for this much more peaceful shot Left: on a walking tour with some new traveler friends we came across this misty train bridge leading out of the city. Right: we returned to Train Street during a quieter time on a different day for this much more peaceful shot

Next stop: Hoi An 🇻🇳

After very successfully getting our fill of bánh mi, phở and bia hơi (and discovering some new favourites like above) we felt accomplished in completing our journey from Singapore to Hanoi without flying.

Days are starting to run out, so we’re opting for a short flight down to Da Nang and onwards to Hoi An — another new destination for us in Vietnam and our first in the center of the country.

We’ve heard this could be the true birthplace of bánh mi and are excited to test that theory (many times over).