Gemma shares her Vietnam highlights

Our travel specialist Gemma spent some time exploring Vietnam with her sister and has shared some highlights from her adventures…

“The moment which really sticks in my head took place in Dalat, Vietnam. My sister and I wanted to go for a trek in the hills so we found a local guide who was very knowledgeable and told us all about the coffee that grows in the region. We were walking through the forest and came to a river which was tricky to cross so we ended up a little wet, but carried on trekking through the steep terrain.

We met an elderly lady who had trapped what looked like a huge squirrel. Our guide explained that this animal was destined for the family meal that night and that she regularly trapped and gathered food in that manner. The guide himself preferred the ‘bat curry.’ At least, that’s what I heard…

We continued to climb the mountain and over a delicious picnic I questioned the guide further on his meal preferences of ‘bat curry.’ He explained that this delicious food was introduced by the French and was now very popular in Vietnam. This was news to me. I didn’t know the French ate bats!

Then it dawned on me. He was talking about the BAKERY! Rest assured my Vietnamese has come on leaps and bounds since those early days of travelling.”

“We loved Hoi An and decided to stay at a home stay during our time there. And we struck gold.

We were the first and only gue

sts of a young couple who had just converted their family barn into three separate en-suite rooms. The family made us feel so welcome and involved us in their daily lives. The father farmed shrimp and there were three buffalo who wandered around the farm.

The surrounding area was incredibly rural, so we hired bikes and went exploring. We cycled to the old town of Hoi An and discovered the incredible lantern makers; had beautiful dresses tailor-made for us and watched an engagement short at the old Japanese bridge.

We really felt like part of the culture and staying with a family gave us such a wonderful insight into their lives and has left us with wonderful memories. Hoi An is a must see on any trip to Vietnam…”