I'd seen pictures of the otherworldly landscape of the sand dunes in Mui Ne prior to arriving in Vietnam. It seemed odd that a town without much to offer in terms of attractions would be home to two massive sand dunes. The White Sand Dunes are located about an hour out of town, while the Red Sand … [Read more...] about Mui Ne’s Red Sand Dunes
Where Uncle Ho Meets Mother Russia
I had been forewarned about the number of Russian visitors to Vietnamese beach towns like Nha Trang and Mui Ne, but it was different seeing it firsthand. Upon sitting down at a restaurant, the waiter assesses you to determine if you speak English or Russian. Usually we were handed Russian menus … [Read more...] about Where Uncle Ho Meets Mother Russia
Can You Have Roots and Wings?
Something I've struggled with for as long as I've been traveling is having it all: both a close relationship with my friends and family and the thick skin required to travel the world solo. I find myself justifying my extended jaunts because "no one really notices when I'm not there" and that I'm … [Read more...] about Can You Have Roots and Wings?
Lured Into the Charms of Hoi An
If Hue was a stopover, Hoi An was the place I could have spent a week. I'd heard so many great things from my fellow travelers about the historic town in middle Vietnam, but I still wasn't sure if it would seem too Disney-esque for my liking. But my concerns were unfounded. Hoi An is as iconically … [Read more...] about Lured Into the Charms of Hoi An
Photo Friday: Hue, Vietnam
Where am I? Wandering over the moat and into the city walls of the Imperial Citadel in Hue made me feel like I was walking through turn of the century China, rather than modern day Vietnam. After an overnight train from Hanoi and a day spent recovering from the heat and exhaustion, Sammi … [Read more...] about Photo Friday: Hue, Vietnam