How to plan a delightfully romantic honeymoon

If you thought my border crossing from Laos to Cambodia was problematic, it had NOTHING on my crossing from Laos to Vietnam! Vietnam is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that requires a visa in advance – you can’t get it at the border.  So I ordered it from a travel agency in Vang Vieng.  An agent traveled to the embassy in Vientiane and got my visa for $50. When I got my passport back, I was met with a shock: The visa start date was correct, but the end date was in 1900! Obviously, this was a mistake on the part of the Vietnamese embassy in Vientiane.  So I figured that they would realize their error at the border and let me in. Boy, was I ever wrong. The bus trip from Vang Vieng to Hanoi was to take approximately 30 hours.  While I heard plenty of warnings about this trip – most passionately, from Ryan at Pause the Moment – I decided that I didn’t want to spend extra money on a flight, and at the very least it would be an experience. The trip began with a 90-minute...

Shh.. we have to tell you a secret. Ly Son Island ( Đảo Lý Sơn in Vietnamese ) in South Central Coast of Vietnam is absolutely stunning. Phu Quoc ( Phú Quốc ) Island gets the press and glory. However, Ly Son Island is a mesmerizing hidden gem and offbeat destination , and one of the fun things to do in Vietnam . It isn’t spoiled by tourism yet! We’re here to share with you this complete traveler’s guide on how to travel to Ly Son Island, accommodations, transportation, the must-see things to do on Ly Son Island, and how much to budget for the visit. Ly Son Island is great if you want 2 days or a weekend trip from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or anywhere in Vietnam. From the stunning views of the coast, endless garlic and onion fields (this area is well-known for these) and the freshest seafood, you’ll be in awe by the beauty of this island. Plus, you can explore the Ly Son Island’s attractions on your own. No tour needed. Hope you get some inspiration to travel to this island as ...

Wondering how to backpack Vietnam for one month? This Vietnam budget guide is based on a 25 days itinerary.  One goal; make the most of the country by respecting the time limit and a tiny budget.  If you are asking yourself what to do in Vietnam, you should stop now.  This is for you! You will also find some of the best backpacking Vietnam tips! If you’re planning to be in Vietnam for two weeks, you can also check out these Vietnam itineraries. Of course, you can use this guide to help you plan your itinerary regardless if you’re planning to stay one, two or three weeks! Backpacking Vietnam on a budget was so much fun!  I was there at the wrong time of the year, but it didn’t stop me!  In fact, I’d go back anytime even during the rainy season. I started the trip in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and finished the trip at the same place to fly out to Australia for a decent price.  But, as I didn’t really spend a lot of time in Ho Chi Mi...