Vietnam December 2006

I went to Northern Vietnam with 7 of my high school friends. We joined a local tour which we arranged before our arrival. Big mistake! The tour agent did not deliver whatever he promised as per the quotation. We booked our local tour through www.vietnambudgettour.com. From the website it seemed quite reputable but unfortunately, they actually subcontracted us out to other operators. Another big mistake we made was to pay the full amount upfront. After we paid, the tour agent refused to entertain our complains. Besides the crappy tour ... (more)

Sapa town bathed in the morning sun
This photo was taken from the patio, beside the dining room of Royal Hotel.

Home Sweet Home
A flower Hmong woman walking back to her home in Ban Pho Village

Innocent smiles?
These girls are not as innocent as they look. They are making a living and...

Birds' Eye View of Sapa Valley
As seen from the waterfall near Gian Ta Chai Village

Is that a bar or a barber shop?
There are many twisted English translations you can find in Vietnam, eg. menu...

The 8 girls gang
Taken at the beginning of our Sapa trekking trip. These girls are my...

Me at the padi field
I'm wearing the flower crown made by our little black Hmong companions.

Muong Hoa Valley
You have to go for at least 2D1N trek to see this magnificent scenery

Muong Hoa Valley 2
So peaceful!

The attic
This is where we stay - on the 'attic' of a wooden house in TaVan...

Our group and the homestay family
The family we stayed with in the village of Tavan. Taken after breakfast of...

Chinese character 山 shaped karsts
The islets in Halong Bay come in all shapes and sizes. The one photographed...

7 friends at Halong Bay
1 of our friends have left our group earlier so only 7 of us left for Halong...

Halong Bay as seen from Sung Sot Cave

Sunset at Halong Bay
Me looking out to the sunset from Ti Top Island

Flag of Vietnam
Flying high at Halong Bay

Cat Ba Island
As seen from a hill in Cat Ba island. Our guide brought us to an...

Cat Ba Island sunset
There's really nothing much to write home about in Cat Ba Island,...

Barber & ear-waxing - Vietnamese style
This is a common street scene in Vietnam. Taken in Cat Ba Island

At the Water Puppet stall
The water puppet show was very interesting and amusing. I would highly...

Hanoi Street Vendor
This looks yummy - Roasted duck & suckling pig

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi
This picture was taken at the back of the mausoleum. Some people might not be...

Tam Coc - Three Caves
There are 3 caves in Tam Coc that we passed thru in our boat ride down Hoang...

Hoa Lu - the ancient capital
This is just the entrance to the citadel of Hoa Lu. The citadel itself is in...

The sampan rower at Tam Coc
Tam Coc is very near to Hoa Lu so it makes a good 2-in-1 day trip from Hanoi....

Tomb of Minh Mang
There are several tombs of the Nguyen dynasty at the outskirt of Hue. You can...

Tomb of Khai Dinh
This tomb is my personal favourite among the others in Hue.

Hue-Danang scenic train
If you ask me if the 'best' train journey in Vietnam is worth taking,...

Another shot from the scenic train
On the Hue-Danang train, I met a Vietnamese chap who kept wanting to practise...

China Beach
This was where the US army had their last 'recreational...

Lantern-making at Hoi An
Colourful lanterns on sale in many shops in Hoi An.

Cycling in Hoi An
The best way to get around Hoi An is by bicycle. You can cycle about...

What is this animal?
This photo is a tribute to the american lady I met in Tam Coc whom has never...

Petrol station, Vietnamese style
Would you believe me if I tell you that I took this photo 20 years ago? :)

Hair Salon & Pedicure-Vietnamese Style
Taken at a corner of Hoi An market

Hoi An ancient town
Besides cycling, you could also opt to see Hoi An ancient town by trishaw.

Japanese Covered Bridge
The famous Hoi An Japanese covered bridge and its surroundings....

Me by the river at Hoi An
Sadly, ancient town of Hoi An is becoming more and more commercialised and...

My Son ruins
This makes a good half day excursion from Hoi An. You could opt to go...

The culprit
The culprit that destroyed major part of the My Son ancient site during the...

Hoi An Market scene
Conical hatted women - a very common scene in Vietnam

Hoi An Street scene
As seen from the roof of an old house

Unforgettable smiles
The very friendly Vietnamese women by the river at Hoi An.

article published 05/15/2007

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Broad photo shoots of Northern Vietnam!
The sepia-tinted picture of the 'petrol station'shows the selective usage of a camera feature not employed often enough. Its application shows 'brains' on the part of the photographer and appropriate for the subject matter.

Modern convenient plastic pails and other containers have crept in and with their multitude of eye-catching colours 'spoil' many a good picture of a rustic town or country house scene.

Good shots at capturing (maybe)fast disappearing old life, MeiSan. The rural pictures of the Hmong people, rice terraces and padi fields without any sign of steel electrical poles and wires any place have me much interested in the scenes.
— David M Lessler, May 27, 2007

Very nice shots, especially the old streets of Hoi An and rice terraces. Thanks
— Ben Hsu, May 15, 2007

Very nice and beautiful pictures.
Wonderful photos thanks with appreciation for sharing.

Sincerely

www.safiqueahmed.md
— Safique Ahmed, May 15, 2007

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