Hạ Long Bay alone makes Vietnam worth the trip

I'll be honest — I went to Vietnam primarily to see Hạ Long Bay, and it delivered beyond what any photo prepares you for. But the surrounding region surprised me just as much. Ho Chi Minh City has a character I didn't anticipate, and wandering without a plan for an afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights.

The food is extraordinary. bún bò Huế sounds simple but here it's done with real craft. warm and entrepreneurial people added another layer to the experience. Spent 6 days and honestly could have used a week more.