Visiting Vang Vieng, Laos: Balloons, and Blue Lagoons

After the peaceful temples of Luang Prabang, our next stop took us to Vang Vieng. Surrounded by towering limestone karst mountains, this small town has become one of Laos’ most iconic adventure destinations. Once known primarily for its backpacker party scene, Vang Vieng has reinvented itself as a hub for outdoor adventure, with turquoise lagoons, …

Excursions from Hanoi: Ninh Binh and Lan Ha Bay

After a few days of weaving through Hanoi’s busy streets, dodging motorbikes, touring the sights and enjoying Vietnamese food (see my blog post about that here), we were ready to see what lay beyond the city. Northern Vietnam is home to some of the country’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, and we didn’t want to miss …