Fast boat to Haiphong then very slow bus to Ninh Binh I was actually not completely sure I was going to Ninh Binh And the bus was so slow the conductor feel asleep but rewarded by spectacular scenery at Tam…

Lan Ha bay Lots of people swapping between boats   Kayaking into a cave that says, er, Do Not Enter But out the other side  Into a stunning lake  Another tunnel  Kayaking buds (turned out one of the husbands when…

Local sea food  Hired a scooter and into the island  To Hospital Cave, a bomb proof hospital for VietCong leaders  Then a climb to a peak in the National Park  Finally the Cannon Fort, a French era fort With amazing…

The sea around Cat Ba island is cleaner and less touristy than Ha Long bay. And some islands have sandy beaches so I was really looking forward to the cruise The fisherman’s village (due to Thai government restrictions all fishing…

I scoured the Internet for a definitive answer to this trip but it wasn’t clear. Here’s how I did it and a few tips.  I bought an all in one ticket that went from Luong Yen bus station (not My…