We lazily let our gaze wander over the waves of the South China Sea and enjoy the pleasant warmth in the shade of the large palm umbrella. This time out on the fine sandy beach of Hoi An does us good after the many new impressions of the last few days. Slowly they return to our memories and can finally be sorted.
Vietnam: great destinations and lots of friendly encounters
Our round trip started in Hanoi, the vibrant metropolis in the north of Vietnam. The journey from the airport to the city already made it clear to us that we had landed in a different world. Our bus seemed like a rock in the midst of the bustling chaos of countless mopeds, bicycles and mini trucks. Through there on foot? Never! We are grateful that the city tour also takes place on the bus. In the safe steel cocoon through the old town, we don't know where to look first: life seems to be going on under the ornate balconies of the colonial houses - from flying traders to barbers, women cooking and children playing happily ...
Only in the park of the one-pillar pagoda Chua Mot Cot, Hanoi's landmark, which stands in a lotus pond, do we breathe again. We are approached in German at the small, richly carved wooden temple from the 11th century. The elderly lady beamingly tells us that she lived in Dresden for four years - like many of her compatriots as an exchange student in the former GDR. "Try our delicious coffee, preferably in the 'Align Cafe' or the 'Hanoi Social Club'," she advises us. It was just the first of many extremely friendly encounters - and opened our hearts to this foreign country. The journey continues as we sail through Vietnam's Halong Bay.
In a wooden junk through the world of islands
Halong Bay is not Vietnam's most famous travel tip for nothing: a wooden junk is our floating hotel through the enchanted island world of densely overgrown green limestone peaks. Some rise steeply out of the water like bizarre fingers, others are flatter and reflect lush greenery onto the water. This is particularly magical in the morning mist. No wonder the bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We can hardly tear ourselves away, but behind the cloud pass near Da Nang, which reminds us of Switzerland, another of Vietnam's sights, the old imperial city of Hue, beckons. We immerse ourselves in the history of Vietnam and can hardly get enough of the palatial tombs in the extensive parks, where stone soldiers guard the imperial tombs. We marvel at the gold splendor in the mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh and then wander through the "Forbidden Purple City". A trip to the emperors' retreat used to mean death for ordinary citizens, but today we can recommend it as a real Vietnam travel tip. Alongside other magnificent palaces, there are unfortunately also ruins to be seen. They were destroyed during the Vietnam War and are still being restored.
Vietnam travel tips: Grand boulevard in Saigon
Vast rice fields with farmers wearing conical hats like something out of an Asian picture book pass us by on the drive south near Nha Trang. The seaside resort is considered the largest tourist center in Vietnam, with one hotel castle after the next on the sandy beaches. A good preparation for Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, which has around seven million inhabitants. We are no longer shocked by the hustle and bustle here; instead, the Dong Khoi boulevard surprises us as a Vietnam travel tip: classy boutiques, bars and luxury hotels between old colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers. Hidden among them are highlights such as the colorful Jade Emperor Pagoda or the steel-domed main post office built by Gustave Eiffel.
And now we are on one of Vietnam's beautiful beaches: Hoi An, the picturesque harbor town, beckons again - with nice restaurants, exotic souvenirs and probably the most beautiful old town in Vietnam. With its merchants' houses dating back to the 16th century, it is practically the Lübeck of Asia. But we'll still be here tomorrow ...