We made it to Vietnam! And it feels quite different from our recent time in Japan and South Korea, starting with the temperature. It looks like we’ll be dealing with 90-100 degree weather for the entirety of our time in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.

We only had an evening in Hanoi before heading out on a two-day trip the next morning, but we made the most of it with some fantastic food and a walk through the Old Quarter. It turns out that just last week, Vietnam commemorated 50 years since the fall of Saigon (the former capital of South Vietnam), marking the official end of the Vietnam War, even though American troops had withdrawn a couple of years prior.

Even in the short time we’ve been here, it’s already been enlightening to learn more about the country’s complex history. Vietnam is still a communist state, which is very evident in the hammer-and-sickle banners lining the streets. And yet, over the years, Vietnam has also fully embraced capitalism—creating a hybrid system where a communist government coexists with a booming free-market economy. I’m sure we’ll be learning much more about the Vietnam War and the country’s history as we explore museums and historical sites.

But that’s not what this post is about. This one is about the stunning scenery we experienced on an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO heritage site. Our journey began with an excellent breakfast (the U.S. dollar goes a long way here), followed by a fancy 2.5-hour bus ride to Ha Long and boarding our ship.

And we were off!

One of our first excursions was kayaking and visiting a pearl harvesting farm.

Then we shuttled over to an island, hiked up a cliff, and explored a large cave. (See if you can spot the cat in the photos!)

That evening, back on the ship, vendors in small boats floated up to the cruise ships, selling snacks and drinks convenience-store-style.

The following morning, we squeezed in one last hike, this time up to the top of Ti Top Island. The photo of Kelly and me was taken at the pavilion visible at the summit in the first photo of the set.