Shimmer Shine Sojourn

 Most visitors see Ha Long Bay from a boat deck. I chose to see it on foot. In Hon Gai, the older, more local side of the city, Tran Quoc Nghien Street runs along the shoreline for about five kilometres, from the city beach towards the centre, with the bay beside you the whole way. It is wide, clean and made for walkers. I came in June, when the weather was mild, and every hour felt right for a slow stroll. Walking the Hon Gai Seafront Walking along the Ha Long seafront was one of the most memorable things I did on this trip. I have been to Ha Long several times, but this was the first time I truly walked the shoreline. Hon Gai's beach is never crowded, with a long, gently sloping stretch of sand. This time I chose to stay in Hon Gai, to see the everyday side of the city. There are more local restaurants and cafés here, and more people actually live here. In just two days, I walked the coastal road again and again, always facing the bay. A wide viewing pier, for anyone who would ra...

Ha Long is a coastal city in Quang Ninh Province, in northern Vietnam, a few hours from Hanoi. Most visitors know it for the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and spend their time on the water. This post stays on land instead. It follows a slow, unplanned day of eating around the Hon Gai side of the city: a snail dinner, a seafood market, a quiet café and a birthday meal under the lights of Bai Chay Bridge. Some trips begin with a list. This one began with a small bag, a free weekend and a loose idea that Ha Long might be a good place to eat. I had been to the bay's more famous side before, so this time I wanted something quieter: the other shore, the local streets, the kind of days that are measured in meals rather than sights. What happens when you leave the bustle of Hanoi behind with no real plan, just a small bag and an appetite for local food? That was how my trip to Ha Long began. Our first evening in Hon Gai began with a waterfront walk and som...

You don’t just book a stay at Cat Ba Beach Flamingo Resort for the luxury room, you do it to own one of the most radiant sunrise and sunset views over Lan Ha Bay . Spending your days here means waking up to an endless ocean breeze and watching the emerald waters change color right from your balcony. This is your slow travel guide to discovering how this beautiful cliffside retreat serves as the perfect lens to experience the true, airy soul of the island. In harmony with nature Finding Stillness on the Balcony A private balcony opening up to the serene waters of Lan Ha Bay. The resort is truly blessed with perhaps the finest location on Cat Ba Island , overlooking Lan Ha Bay with its own private beach for guests. Truth be told, while the service may not be completely flawless yet, it is the breathtaking location that draws so many travelers here for a memorable summer escape. Lush greenery tucked right beneath our feet. The poetic charm of Cat Ba’s coastal waters. But perhaps, I will...