Vietnam Bucket List: Dragon bays and sandy beaches

The long wait is finally over. Your heart beats faster and faster, and your plane to Vietnam is ready for take-off. As you jet off through the sky at full throttle, countless stars twinkle with the promise that your next couple of weeks in this incredible country will be packed with excitement. You lay back, close your eyes and dream one last time about all the adventures before they finally come true!

After a night above the clouds...
You're finally in one of the most beautiful countries in Asia. No boring days here, just endless vibes, from cool, buzzing cities to wild rivers and a culture that's flat-out unique. So long, dreams! Now it's time to make it real. ‘Vietnam, let's gooo!’ Almost as soon as you leave the plane, you head straight to your new home base. But let's be honest: why chill out in a hotel when the loud, colourful city of Hanoi is right outside? Put on your sunglasses and get going!
Your first mission? Hit the streets! The vibes? Incredible! The Vietnamese people have a zest for life that's so contagious you won't be able to stop smiling. Soak up the old-school energy as you wander the alleys of the enchanting Old Quarter, marvel at the iconic Vietnamese tube houses and try delicious traditional street food, such as bánh mì and the best pho you've ever had.

No one travelling to Hanoi should miss a trip to Train Street. Every day, within just feet of the surrounding buildings, a train makes its way through the colourful canyon of houses and the hustle and bustle of daily city life. Sound crazy? It is! So grab a front-row seat in one of the many cafés and experience the must-see spectacle for yourself! And speaking of must-sees, the Long Bien Bridge, which was built in 1902 and became a symbol of resistance during the Vietnam War, is one of the city's icons you definitely have to see. And if you still don't have enough pics, Hoan Kiem Lake not only makes for the perfect ones, but it also makes for a great way to escape the city for a little while. Be sure to visit Jade Mountain Temple, too. You'll find it perched on a small island in the middle of the lake, and while exploring it, you'll discover the story behind the temple's second name: Turtle Tower.

Ever heard about the legend of the dragon that made deep furrows in the landscape with its tail on its way to the coast, which were eventually flooded by the sea? No? Well, you're about to learn all about it as you experience the blue wonder in person! Today, you're joining a guide and other adventure seekers and discovering the beautiful rock formations scattered about the bright-blue Ha Long Bay. Aboard a traditional boat, you explore the sloping limestone formations, mystical stone arches, steep cliffs and white sand beaches up close. And in Thien Cun, the 'Heavenly Palace' cave, you marvel at huge chambers full of stalactites. Afterwards, it's time for an extra dose of adventure because you're hopping into a kayak and paddling through the water tunnels and winding waterways from which the stunning rock formations – said to have once been crossed by a dragon – tower up from the depths. Then on your way back, you soak in the sight of Vietnam's lush green landscape as you dream of deep blue water, plant-covered crags and dragons.