Good morning Vietnam

I really like the little seaside town of Hoi Anh - a lot more than the nearby larger and more touristy city of Danang, with its skyscraper beachfront hotels. I made a brief stop in Danang, and a one night stop there on my way north from Saigon. This time I spent 2 nights in this historic and cozy place. Once again I had hit the jackpot, when I booked into Loc Phat Villa. The Buddhist lady owner spoke great English, and gave me a lovely room on the first floor, overlooking the beautiful tropical garden. Hoi Anh has a famous market in the old quarter of town, right next to the Thu Bon River.

As I wanted to spend a couple of days in Saigon, before flying home on the 20/5, it was time for me to move on south along the coast. Part of the route went along the QLAH1 that runs the entire length of Vietnam, south to north. If you want to cover some mileage, it’s really your only option. The road is generally in great condition, with two lanes in each direction separated by a concrete wall. Initially I was surprised about the lack of traffic on the roads, however, the ratio of car ownership to number of people is only 23/1000, way below f.inst. Thailand where it is 250/1000.

Mui Ne is popular with surfers and sailors, particularly for people living in Saigon, as it is only a 4 hour drive from there to Mui Ne. Originally a small fishing village, it has developed into a popular destination for backpackers. It has kept its small village feel. I stayed 2 nights at Mui Ne, where I took some drives around the surrounding area, to check out the beaches and surfing spots. Many of the places I stopped were seriously polluted, with plastic bottles, bags, and general garbage strewn all around, completely spoiling the experience of being at the beach.