Sapa Diaries

Literally a city in the fog because of its cold temperature. One of the best travel destinations I’ve ever been to, and another unforgettable birthday trip. Sapa has a mini-Europe feel, with its striking blend of French colonial architecture and stilt houses.

My favorite moment was watching the sunset over Sapa Lake with Ham Rong Mountain as the backdrop. It was breathtaking, peaceful, and relaxing. I stood there thinking how blessed I was to be in that place at that very moment. TYL!

I also enjoyed the scenic ride up to the mountains and got to try the Alpine Coaster.

I sat in the park and watched the quaint cafés light up during the night, transforming the area into a vibrant and lively place.

I originally planned to skip the Sun World Fansipan Legend tour because I wanted to experience it with my son someday. As it turned out, it was also closed for two weeks for renovation.

The staff at Sapa Center Hotel were incredibly friendly, and one of them even gave me a warm cup of tea before I left. See you again, beautiful Sapa.

My First International Marathon in Ha Long

I signed up for the Ha Long Bay Heritage Marathon for the scenic views, as the route looked so unique and picturesque. It is also Vietnam’s first and only marathon to receive the World Athletics Label Road Race. A few days before my flight, I had a cold and cough, and I feared I might not be able to fly out for the race. But since everything was already booked and I had done ample training, I decided to push through with the plan. A night before heading to Ha Long, I was shivering due to my condition and couldn’t taste my food, even though I badly needed to carbo-load. I felt a little better the next morning while in transit to Ha Long from Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The hotel where I stayed in the Bai Chay area had beautiful views. I could see the international cruise ships and rock formations from my window. The room was very spacious and worth what I paid for, except that you had to wait at least 30 minutes for hot water in the shower. It was understandable due to the cold weather, and something I will remember for next time.

The Grab rider didn’t know where the marathon venue was, so I had to take two rides to reach the race expo to pick up my bib. The first rider dropped me off somewhere, saying he wasn’t familiar with the location (via Google Translate). Other locals also couldn’t point us in the right direction when the rider asked around. It made me wonder how the marathon is so popular outside Vietnam. I left the expo early when I couldn’t find my name on the list for the 42KM runners. Only a few English names were displayed. I hope the organizers could include foreign runners’ names next time. I walked around to grab something to eat, then headed back to my hotel. I tried to rest as much as I could since it was race day the next morning.

It was very cold at 4 a.m. (at least for me), so I wore my race jacket until around the 21st kilometer. My initial goal during training was at least a 5:30 finish time, but with my condition, I just wanted to finish before the 6:30 cutoff time. I crossed the finish line still very proud of myself at 6:08, after battling colds and fatigue from around the 24th kilometer onward.

Indeed, the views are undeniably beautiful, especially the section where you run through the tunnel. The route was not crowded, and the cold watermelon along the course saved me from exhaustion. Of course, the finish line with the blue carpet and all the cameras had an international feel.

The Ha Long Bay Heritage Marathon was absolutely worth it.

A Sunset Stroll in Hanoi

My first morning in Hanoi felt like stepping into a movie. The streets were alive with the sound of scooters, and the smell of food drifting from every corner. I spent the day walking around the city with no real plan, letting the busy sidewalks lead me to Michelin selected Bun Cha Dac Kim for lunch.

I finally tasted the famous Bun cha for the first time. Smoky grilled pork, noodles, and dipping sauce that somehow tasted both comforting and exciting at once. The serving was very generous for the price I paid. I continued to walk around until I ended up in St. Joseph's Cathedral and then to Hoàn Kiếm Lake. I sat on one side of the lake savouring the Roti bread I bought while watching the sunset painted the sky orange and gold. Families sat by the water, couples took photos, and a group of teenagers danced to music near the sidewalks. I quietly watched the city move around me, feeling strangely at peace.

The weather was my favorite part. The sun warmed my skin, but the cold wind brushed against my face just enough to make the walk feel perfect.

As evening came, I found myself in the train street out of curiousity since I always saw it in many vlogs.

I woke up with colds the next morning, so I thought of finding the best pho. I finally tasted the famous pho from a Michelin-starred spot. The warm broth, fresh herbs, and tender beef eased my condition. I felt a little better after savouring the soup. This was why people traveled so far just for the food.

Hanoi felt busy yet calm, old yet alive. Before leaving the hotel to go to my next destination, I already knew one thing — this was a place I wanted to come back to again someday.