The Wandering Juan: Vietnam

Showing posts with label Vietnam. Show all posts

My Favorite Destinations in Southeast Asia

By Joshua Berida On July 11, 2021 In Vietnam

Southeast Asia is the region I was able to travel around in for a month or so. It kick started my wanderlust. I remember my first trip to Bangkok several years ago. My experiences there led me to the conclusion that I wanted to travel as much as possible. Being from the Philippines also made traveling around the region possible and easy (Filipino passport holders don't need a visa to visit countries in Southeast Asia).

Here's a list of my favorite places in Southeast Asia (excluding my home country the Philippines) in no particular order.

Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Ninh Binh

By Joshua Berida On October 15, 2019 In Vietnam

I returned to Vietnam to visit a place I wanted to but couldn't go before, Ninh Binh. I saw pictures online and I was immediately sold about going. I booked a flight to Hanoi from Kuala Lumpur and after staying for a couple of days, booked a bus ticket to Ninh Binh.

Drifting Down the River in Trang An

By Joshua Berida On September 21, 2018 In Vietnam

Ninh Binh has beautiful landscapes and a countryside that reminded me of home. I rented a motorcycle with driver to see what this part of Vietnam had to offer. One of the places on my itinerary was Trang An. The latter is best explored by going on a boat ride down the river.

A Visit to Van Long

By Joshua Berida On September 12, 2018 In Vietnam

I was in Ninh Binh for a couple of days and was looking for places to visit. I stumbled upon Van Long Nature Reserve as I was browsing pictures and websites. I was sold and decided to include it in my itinerary.

Riding to Hang Mua, Vietnam

By Joshua Berida On August 29, 2018 In Vietnam

Hang Mua was one of the places I went to while exploring Ninh Binh in northern Vietnam. It was an overcast and humid day, but I didn't let the bad weather ruin my trip.

Itinerary & Expenses for Vietnam Trip

By Joshua Berida On June 10, 2015 In Vietnam

During my second trip to Vietnam, I stayed for approximately 3 weeks. I traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue, then back. It was a fun trip and I managed to stay within my budget.

The Kitschiness of Da Lat

By Joshua Berida On June 05, 2015 In Vietnam

Da Lat was the last stop I visited during my three weeks adventure in Vietnam. The cool weather was refreshing; it was definitely different compared to the usual hot, humid, and rainy weather I experienced in the country.

The Majestic Pongour Falls

By Joshua Berida On June 01, 2015 In Vietnam

I was in Da Lat during my last few days in Vietnam. I was looking for something to do other than go canyoning because it was quite expensive and I was at the tail-end of my budget. A friend who has been to Da Lat told me about Pongour Falls. After seeing some pictures, I decided to head to see the waterfalls.

The Forbidden City of Hue

By Joshua Berida On May 23, 2015 In Vietnam

Towards the last leg of my trip around Vietnam, I visited Hue, Vietnam's ancient capital. I did not know what to expect during my trip, but I kept an open mind to absorb as much as I can. Hue was the former capital, cultural, and religious center of Vietnam during its heyday.

The Royal Tombs of Hue

By Joshua Berida On May 16, 2015 In Vietnam

I visited some of the royal tombs of the former emperors of Vietnam during my stay in Hue. Going to the ancient tombs of the former emperors gave me insight into their personalities.

The Fallen Ruins of My Son

By Joshua Berida On May 10, 2015 In Vietnam

I am a sucker for anything that's old, in a ruinous state, and is hundreds of years old. So when I discovered that My Son has temple ruins, I decided to include it in my itinerary during my trip to Central Vietnam.

Photoblog: The Different Colors of Hoi An

By Joshua Berida On March 23, 2015 In Vietnam

Hoi An has been on my shortlist of places to visit since I found out it was a UNESCO Heritage Town. As soon as I entered the town, I felt that it would be the best place I would visit during my trip.

Da Nang's Marble Mountain

By Joshua Berida On March 18, 2015 In Vietnam

It took another overnight bus from Nha Trang to finally get to Hoi An, my target destination. Before I explored the UNESCO-listed heritage town, a new found friend and I decided to head to Marble Mountain in Da Nang.

The Cheapest or Free Things to Do in Nha Trang

By Joshua Berida On March 11, 2015 In Vietnam

I have been to Vietnam before but that was only a short trip to Hanoi for the Ha Long Bay cruise. This time around, I traveled from the south (Saigon) to the central region of the country, with a short stop in Nha Trang.

Good Morning Vietnam! Hello Mekong Delta!

By Joshua Berida On March 08, 2015 In Vietnam

The Mekong Delta plays a significant role in the lives of the Vietnamese. The livelihood that the Mekong provides has sustained families for generations. I was glad I took the tour to explore this area at least for a day.

The Chaos of Ho Chi Minh City

By Joshua Berida On March 02, 2015 In Vietnam

During my first trip to Vietnam in 2013 (Hanoi), I already had a glimpse of how chaotic life was in Vietnam; from the whirring motorbikes to the pesky market vendors. It prepared me for the chaos that ensues everyday in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam's Scars & Victorious Past

By Joshua Berida On March 01, 2015 In Vietnam

During the last leg of my more than two months odyssey through Southeast Asia, I traveled from Southern to Central Vietnam. My first stop? Ho Chi Minh City or formerly known as Saigon.

Itinerary and Expenses for Hanoi, Vietnam

By Joshua Berida On September 02, 2013 In Vietnam

Vietnam is a rising country that is seeing a lot of changes happening now and the foreseeable future. Vietnam is also rich in culture and history, I wouldn't mind coming back in the near future.

Here are my expenses during my trip to Vietnam:

Hanoi's Old Quarter

By Joshua Berida On August 26, 2013 In Vietnam

Hanoi's Old Quarter is frenetic, historically and culturally rich, and is an exciting place to be in.

There were a barrage of motorcycles rushing to and fro on all of the streets in Hanoi. I didn't really feel like there were traffic rules because some motorcycles just moved through the sieves between cars, buses, and stores.

Motorcycles, people, cars, and tables were parked by the sidewalks which often forced people to walk on the streets.

Hanoi City Tour

By Joshua Berida On August 18, 2013 In Vietnam

On my last full day in Hanoi, I decided to explore what this frenetic and culturally rich city had to offer.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda was the first destination on the itinerary. It is the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. Many locals visit this pagoda a day before their wedding to pray and ask for good luck. During our trip to this pagoda, there was a wedding being held.