Old-Time Vietnam – Off to Hue

Old-Time Vietnam – Off to Hue

I must see Mr. T.  He has the stories of the DMZ as a veteran.  So I chose Hue as my fourth trip to Vietnam. On this first morning in Danang I had coffee, worked a bit more, and had lunch at the Happy Bread 

Old-Time Vietnam – Sizzling at Hue Ngon, Danang

Old-Time Vietnam – Sizzling at Hue Ngon, Danang

What’s with me and unmetered taxi’s?  The guy came up to me at the airport and quoted đ200,000.  I thought that included the airport tax but it was an extra đ70,000.  I simply did not have the guts to bargain.  On arrival at the hostel 

Hue 1968

Hue 1968

Book Review: Hue 1968 (2017) By Mark Bowden By tradition, your first encounter on the morning of Tet was supposed to be a harbinger for the entire year.  If that were true, then Hue’s fate in the New Year would have been sealed.  Its first 

Beyond Pho – Goodbye, Danang

Beyond Pho – Goodbye, Danang

Since the 19th century, Danang has replaced Hoi An as the preeminent trading port in central Vietnam.  It remains as such today.  In terms of the American War in Vietnam, Danang was the first location in South Vietnam that received the U.S. Marines.  Apparently, this 

Beyond Pho – Boating to the Full Moon in Hoi An

Beyond Pho – Boating to the Full Moon in Hoi An

In the evening, we came back to Hoi An and found it bustling with festivities.  The night market has opened.  Music filled the air, food stalls lined the streets, and the colorful lanterns decorated the sky with the full moon above us. We had a 

Beyond Pho – Biking Between Heaven and Earth

Beyond Pho – Biking Between Heaven and Earth

We joined a biking tour on this sunny day.   The Nu Eatery Lunch was at the Nu Eatery.  The restaurant was known for its fusion touch on traditional Vietnamese cuisine.  We had to try our luck as we did not make a reservation, and 

Beyond Pho – Dancing to the Full Moon in Hoi An

Beyond Pho – Dancing to the Full Moon in Hoi An

The people of Hoi An celebrate the full moon every month.  Perhaps that was how they kept the tourists engaged.  But on this traditional once-a-year Mid-Autumn Festival, the celebratory activities were much more elaborate. We intended to have a walk in Hoi An that evening 

Beyond Pho – Hoi An

Beyond Pho – Hoi An

Between the 2nd to the 10th centuries, Hoi An was a bustling seaport of the Champa Kingdom.  Both My Son and Hoi An within its bounds, the Quang Nam province once belonged to the Champa King.  A dispute arose between the Champa kingdom and Vietnam 

Two Days in Turin (2)

Two Days in Turin (2)

Sunday morning greeted us with a bit of a heavy rain.  We checked out at 10am, got into the car and drove around looking for breakfast.  We came upon a Lavazza Café that was opened on Sunday morning.  The family ordered one to two each 

Two Days in Turin (1)

Two Days in Turin (1)

The house was bustling in the morning as the children woke up to a new day. I woke up tired because I researched late into the night for restaurants to visit in Turin.  My cousin requested Michelin restaurants.  The family enjoys stately meals when they