An epic adventure exploring the treasures of Vietnam

Hi friends, today I have a special guest sharing her highlights and insights from her recent visit to the beautiful country of Vietnam.

Recently my good friend Janelle traveled to Vietnam with an incredible program called Center for Geography Education in Oregon (C-GEO). Janelle is a seasoned world traveler that has visited 30 countries! While traveling to Vietnam she was able to participate in a variety of wonderful experiences and activities. She wanted to share some of her experiences, insights, tips and recommendations so I could share them here with my readers.

Continue reading to learn about the highlights of her trip including her: Top 5 recommendations for places to visit, Top 5 tips for Visiting Vietnam & a list of the Top 5 books she recommends reading about Vietnam before visiting.

Janelle is a teacher and part of an organization called the Center for Geography Education in Oregon (C-GEO) learn more here: https://www.pdx.edu/geography-education/ . Each year C-GEO takes a selected group of Oregon Teacher Consultants on an international trip to learn the geography of that place and take it back to their classrooms. Tons of teachers apply and 12 were chosen and she was one of them! This program is sponsored by the Gray Family Foundation who generously supports C-GEO in helping teachers learn through in-person field work outside of their own classroom walls. The Gray Family Foundation supports Oregon teachers interested in Geography and Environmental education and outdoor school programs across the state. So now to the trip!

Janelle’s group started in Hanoi and ended in Ho Chi Minh spending two weeks exploring the amazingly beautiful and diverse landscape of Vietnam. She says she was most impressed by how amazing the food was and what great hospitality she received from everyone in Vietnam. The group was on an organized tour with a tour guide who accompanied them the whole time but also had local tour guides who were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They could text their guide on Whatsapp and get assistance during free times. Typically the morning would be a guided program and the afternoon would be on your own time to explore what interested you. Food was also beautifully prepared, delicious, and very affordable. Here are some of her TOP 5’s from this amazing trip to Vietnam and a StoryMap that her group created to tell about what they learned, saw, and experienced on their journey through Vietnam.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Vietnam:

Mai Chau Valley – gorgeous, pristine water and not crowded!
Hanoi – take a cycle tour is a unique cultural experience!
Hue – a place for history lovers!
Hoi An and My Son – for those who love architecture and history!
Cu Chi Tunnels (near Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City) – gives a glimpse into the war history of the longest war America ever fought.

Top 5 Tips for Traveling to Vietnam:

Get crisp, new $100 US bill are best for exchanging dollars to dong (Vietnamese currency). New money is considered lucky. Try to break larger bills for smaller ones when you exchange for dong. Jewelry stores and banks give you better exchange rates than hotels but can’t always give you smaller bills.
Bring cooling cloths (freezing in hotel mini fridge works best for them to last longest), a UV umbrella, Liquid IV (electrolyte powder packets), and a handheld electric fan to handle the humidity. It is humid so be prepared!
It is fast and inexpensive to have laundry done at hotels within one day. Don’t overpack as it is very convenient and widely available. Wear dry-fit clothing is a must.
It is recommended to not put ice in drinks except in the cities so bring an insulated water bottle.
Take insect repellent with you (bracelets and wipes or spray) and your own conditioner if you use it as it is not readily available in hotels.

My Top 5 Books to Read About Vietnam Before Going:

“Water Buffalo Days: Growing Up in Vietnam” by Huynh Quang Nhuong

“The Unwanted: A Memoir of Childhood” by Kien Nguyen – trigger alert as this is an intense but great book

“The Tapestries” by Kien Nguyen

“The Best We Could Do” by Thi Bui

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Vietnam – Janelle’s personal favorite of all the guidebooks she read before going.

Janelle really enjoyed learning about Vietnam’s unique history, visiting dozens of historic sights & beautiful loactions, sampling all the delicious cuisine, the stunning natural beauty all across the country and having the incredible opportunity to travel to Vietnam with “CGE”. Vietnam wasn’t originally on her radar, but since visiting and touring the country she believes she’s become a better person and teacher from having this experience.

Is Vietnam on your bucket list? Has Janelle convinced you to add it to the list? 😉 It’s definitely moved up towards the top of mine ever since Janelle shared her Vietnamese adventure with me.

Until next time, happy travels!

~Krista