I always want to share

Living in a Boat

Northeast of Vietnam, the Gulf of Tonkin, a bay formed by a group of over three thousand islands that was recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in December 2004: We speak of Halong Bay. But today we want to focus specifically on Cat Ba Island, the largest of the area, and the national park that receives the same name.

The great beauty of the island and its overwhelming environment, offering travelers the opportunity to escape, even for a few days, one of the increasingly scarce paradises of our planet.

In Cat Ba can lodge at very good prices in some of the more austere but recommended hotels in the core, with a splendid view of the bay and the floating villages of fishermen.

Cat Ba also offers visitors a variety of small establishments in which we can not miss the many offerings of fresh fish cooked according to the specialty of the place. Although we believe that this is an area for mass tourism, the truth is that Cat Ba offers most of the year a very relaxed atmosphere in which everyone can unplug and go into the local rhythm pleasant.

Another lesson that we must not lose is to share a small boat and visit more deeply into the bay for a day. In these excursions discover hidden bays of emerald waters, which is only accessible through a natural tunnel in the rock when the tide is low.

He also will visit caves incredible that there are some pockets that will explore with torches of fire. And of course, the vast experience of sharing the day, the food and drink (with delicious Vietnamese beer) with the crew: each boat is usually governed by two or three people from one family. Spend a day with them, helping them to perform even minor tasks, navigation is really fun and a different way of closer and closer to the wonderful people of the island.

If one day go to Vietnam, worth detract three or four days to visit Cat Ba and Halong. Moreover can be reached easily in a day from Hanoi, the capital of the country.

At first, I want to say that I did not go to Hanoi for traveling or having a relax time but I came here for my job. However, the short I had in Hanoi is enough for me to have a great time here.

I am a Japanese. Of course I live and work in Japan. But last year, my company opened a new brand in Hanoi Vietnam. It is the reason why I had a chance to come Vietnam 3 months ago. It was also the first time I came here. Because of the limited time, only one week meanwhile I needed to solve a number of problems here, I could not spend more time time on visiting beautiful places in Hanoi.

I went to work from 7.30 am and came back the hotel at 9p.m. After a hard working day I just wanted to sleep. So, I had a bath, drink some wine and went to bed. Most of the days I was in Hanoi like that except the last day.

The last day, my co-workers in Vietnam celebrated a small party in a local restaurant. It was a chance for me to communicate with them freely and friendly. We were all different from other days because we could chat and share many things with each other, not like in the office. Many people seemed to be strict when they work, in that day they were very so open and humorous that I was surprised.

After having a great mean, they invited me to cycling around the Old Corner. Of course I agreed because I have wanted to travel here for a long time. I had a chance to come to Hanoi but it is a pity if I did not visit here. I have to say that Hanoi is very beautiful, especially in the evenings. I came to Hanoi in September. In Autumn, the weather in Hanoi is more comfortable than other seasons, many people rushed into the streets and enjoy the great atmosphere. In Japan, all people are busy with their jobs, they have little time to relax, so in Japan it is difficult for me to see people to go out like in Hanoi. Vietnamese people are very hard working, they always do well their work, but they do not forget to spend time on relaxing. That is great!

Cycling around the Old corner was very interesting. I had a chance to enjoy myself and watch the sightseeing in the Old Corner of Hanoi. We took a lot of photographs. They are sweet memories. After that we came to a karaoke bar and sang as many as possible. I had a memorable time in Hanoi with Vietnamese friend who left very good impressions on my mind.

I went to Hanoi in the autumn last year. Normally, Hanoi is very beautiful, bit it seemed to be nicer in the autumn. I had a great one day tour. I don't remember much but the first place I visited is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It was hthe first time I saw the greatest leader of Vietnamese people, I just saw him on the Internet or newspaper. Then I also had a chance to visit its surrounding. After the visit, I could understand more about Ho Chi Minh and his lifestyle.
After that I had a lunch and visit other main beauty spots in Hanoi. I realized that Hanoi still remains outstanding cultural features, they are not only the pride of Hanoi people but also the Vietnamese people.