The PhoMo is Real: A Vaga-Guide to Vietnam
We’ve traveled across India, falling in love with every mountain, beach, and chai stop, but Vietnam—oh, Vietnam blindsided us. It didn’t just steal our hearts; it casually walked in, rearranged the furniture, and decided to stay.
Da Nang? At first glance, it’s your standard coastal city, much like any other. But then the food happened—like, actually happened to us. Mi Quang bowls so rich we started questioning our loyalty to biryani, and bánh mì which made us re-evaluate every Subway sandwich we’ve ever had. Even a simple walk along the Da Nang beach had us feeling like we were accidentally on a treasure hunt. Da Nang wasn’t just charming—it was sneakily seductive, like that one Tinder match who actually ends up being interesting.
Then there’s Hạ Long Bay. You think you’ve seen water and mountains? Nah, think again. Imagine Kerala’s backwaters, but they hit the gym and got ripped. These aren’t your gentle hills—they’re towering limestone karsts showing off, dipping their toes into the sea, and acting like they invented serenity. It’s like the Western Ghats had a glow-up.
Hội An, though? That place is a time machine with Wi-Fi. Picture Pondicherry if it had chilled out even more (is that even possible?)—lantern-lit streets, zero stress, and locals who make you wonder why you’re always in such a rush back home. No crowds (except in the evenings), just the hum of life at a speed you can finally keep up with. Honestly, Hội An made our old favorite holiday spots look like they were trying way too hard.
Now, Hanoi—oh boy. Imagine Mumbai on coffee but with lakes and *actual* space to breathe. It’s the capital, but instead of giving you the usual city-stress vibes, it’s like, “Hey, wanna chill by a lake while we casually serve you the best pho of your life?” Sure, the traffic will test your soul, but that’s just Hanoi reminding you that nothing worth having comes easy.
By the time we left, Vietnam had completely infiltrated our hearts, not just with its looks but with its sneaky, complex charm. Much like India, it’s a place that refuses to be categorized or summed up—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Elton Mendonce
