The homestay was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We were shown how to make traditional pancakes with egg, spring onions, and beef over a log fire. To top it off, it turned into a feast—prawn crackers, tofu, spring rolls, and sticky rice were added to the menu. The evening was spent playing cards in the jungle, listening to the sounds of nature. The accommodation was probably the most basic I’d experienced during the whole trip—essentially a floor mattress with a mosquito net, but definitely an experience to remember.

Next up was a five-hour drive to Ho Chi Minh City, where we stayed for the night. After discovering the Pho 2000 restaurant, we decided to eat there—not just because of the reviews, but because it’s where former President Bill Clinton dined during his visit to Vietnam. After eating, we stumbled upon more street markets, which gave us a chance to stock up on cheap vests and knockoff fragrances. We also managed to squeeze in a quick visit to the Royal Palace and the Vietnam War Museum. That evening, we enjoyed a traditional local dinner before heading out for a night at the famous Donkey Bar in the city.

Once the day came to a close, it was time to say goodbye to some members of the group in Ho Chi Minh, as they went their separate ways, and welcome a new group who would continue the Vietnam trip with us. The night was about to get more interesting, as it marked the first of three overnight trains we would be taking. The first one lasted 10 hours, and we arrived in Nha Trang.

The following day was another reset day for many. I took another stroll around the town center with some of the group, picked up some supplies—mainly beer—and spent the rest of the day relaxing by the hotel pool. By late afternoon, it was time for a group bike ride through the countryside. We met an elderly Vietnamese couple who were famous for an award-winning portrait taken of them by a photographer many years ago. As a gesture, we helped water their garden. We also visited one of the most heavily bombed sites from the Vietnam War, touring the area in round bamboo boats, and even did some crabbing.

The following day, I visited the main cathedral in Hue. However, due to exhaustion and the heat, I didn’t manage to go inside. I did, however, take some pictures as a mental reminder.

That evening, I was all packed and set for catching a 14 hour sleeper train to Hanoi.

On the bus back to Hanoi city center, we stopped at a local pearl manufacturer, where we learned how and where pearls are sourced, the different types, and how they are treated.

The final day in Hanoi started with a late wake-up, followed by a meet-up with the rest of the group to fit in as much exploring as possible. We managed to see the French Quarter, visit a posh shopping center as it started to rain, and check out the main lake, Hoàn Kiếm. We ended up at a rooftop café for some fresh egg coffee. This was followed by a farewell meal at a G Adventures-supported restaurant and bar, where we learned the recipe for egg coffee. Afterward, we said our final goodbyes, as this marked the end of the trip. Of course, it was hard to resist one last night out with everyone, which led to the usual story the next morning. Next stop: Singapore for the weekend.