Places I've wandered.
Shot on whatever was in my pocket. These are the places that stayed with me.
Quick Facts
Overview
Bali was my first trip abroad, so everything felt a little bigger than usual: the air, the roads, and the small courage of talking to strangers. I first knew Bali through the digital nomad community, and somehow came home with a few first international friends.
The food and I did not get along very well, so instant noodles and mall food quietly carried me through the trip. I was also lucky to be there during Galungan, a sacred Balinese Hindu celebration of Dharma winning over Adharma. A good first stamp on the passport, with a little chaos included.
Good To Know
- Do not stack Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu into one day.
- Add buffer time for traffic, especially around sunset.
- Carry a light sarong or cover-up for temples.
- Pick accommodation by area, not only by room photos.
Quick Facts
Overview
Thailand happened almost by accident after Bali. A few new friends recommended Bangkok, and I thought, why not, then booked it with the confidence of someone who had clearly not planned enough.
The trip was only two days and one night, so I barely scratched the surface, but Bangkok food left a very serious impression. Short trip, big appetite, no regrets.
Good To Know
- Evening
- Night market hours
- Keep the plan loose if the trip is short.
- Leave real time for food stops.
- Stay central to avoid losing the day in transit.
Quick Facts
Overview
I went to Kiên Giang expecting island sun, forest runs, Ma Thiên Lãnh peak, Nam Du, and snorkeling at Hòn Hai Bờ Đập. Instead, five out of seven days came with rain. Not exactly the postcard version, but still a funny little lesson: sometimes the island trip becomes a storm trip.
Rạch Giá food was easy to love, especially grilled dried squid and coffee by the sea. I also lost my AirPods, chased the location for two days, then lost a power bank the day after. That was how the trip signed off.
Good To Know
- Morning
- After the rain
- Keep backup plans for rainy days.
- Track small valuables carefully.
- Save time for Rạch Giá food and sea coffee.
Quick Facts
Overview
I went to Bù Gia Mập to practice trail running in the forest with my boss. That simple plan somehow opened the door to new friends who liked the same kind of suffering, which then led to more trail trips later.
Some hobbies start with gear. Mine started with mud, trees, and trying not to breathe too loudly.
Good To Know
- Morning
- Cloudy afternoon
- Golden hour
- Keep the route simple and leave time between nature stops.
- Bring shoes that can handle wet paths.
- Download maps before leaving the main town.
Quick Facts
Overview
Nha Trang is brighter, louder, and more city-like than the quieter coastal stops. The beach is easy to reach, the seafood is close, the logistics are simple, and the whole place has an active rhythm that works well for a short trip with very little planning stress.
The photos are about that beach-city mix: clear morning water, busy streets behind the shoreline, island views in the distance, and evenings that move quickly from sunset to dinner. It is not a hidden escape, but it is useful, sunny, and good at giving you a coastal reset without making the route complicated.
Good To Know
- Morning
- Golden hour
- Evening
- Stay close to the beach if you want easy morning walks.
- Use early light for sea photos.
- Pick food stops away from the most tourist-heavy strip when possible.
Quick Facts
Overview
Quy Nhơn is my second favorite beach city, and one of the few places I can imagine staying for a long time. I liked the people, the food, the rhythm of life, and even got to meet a few old university friends again.
The only sad part was losing my memory card, so many photos stayed only in my head. Maybe that is a good excuse to return next year.
Good To Know
- Morning
- Late afternoon
- Sunset
- Pair beach time with one heritage or viewpoint stop.
- Use late afternoon for warmer sand and softer towers.
- Leave one meal open for seafood.
Quick Facts
Overview
Phú Yên felt almost unfairly beautiful. I was lucky to have a local friend show me around, so I got to see places like Hòn Yến, Gành Đá Đĩa, and Mũi Đại Lãnh without just following a saved map.
Cycling along one of Vietnam's most beautiful coastal roads was a real highlight. The food was cheap, the people were kind, and the whole place had that "I should come back every year" kind of charm.
Good To Know
- Morning
- Golden hour
- Sunset
- Do fewer stops and give each coastal route time.
- Carry water if riding between viewpoints.
- Plan around light, not only map distance.
Quick Facts
Overview
Đà Nẵng is still my favorite beach city, and probably the place I would choose if I had to settle down somewhere by the sea. A perfect day there is simple: wake up, run around Sơn Trà, eat breakfast, work or sit at a cafe, swim or paddleboard in the afternoon, then walk around the city at night.
The cost of living is reasonable, the air feels lighter, and life does not need to try too hard to feel good.
Good To Know
- Morning
- Golden hour
- Evening
- Stay near the beach if slow mornings matter.
- Group Hội An or Huế as separate day plans instead of rushing both.
- Keep sunset flexible for the river or the coast.
Quick Facts
Overview
Huế was a short stop, only two days and one night, so I did not get to experience much. But the food fit my taste almost immediately, which is always a strong argument.
Cycling around the Imperial City was the kind of quiet memory that stays: slow roads, old walls, and a city that feels like it speaks softly.
Good To Know
- Morning
- Cloudy afternoon
- Late afternoon
- Do not stack every tomb and heritage site into one day.
- Leave space for food stops.
- Bring light rain protection even in shoulder months.
Quick Facts
Overview
Hội An Ancient Town is small enough to walk through in one morning, but timing changes everything. Go early and you get a calmer Hội An, before the tourist crowd arrives, when local life is still setting up for the day. The food was ridiculously good.
I still remember the yellow walls, bougainvillea shadows, hot Central Vietnam sunlight, then the night version with lanterns, jazz bars, and old streets feeling strangely modern. I was lucky to visit on a full moon night, when the lights went down and the town became even prettier.
Good To Know
- Early morning
- Golden hour
- Evening
- Walk early if you want quieter photos.
- Stay close enough to return after a midday break.
- Treat the lantern scene as atmosphere, not a checklist.
Quick Facts
Overview
Every time I think of Hà Giang, that song "Hà Giang sao mà yêu thế" starts playing in my head, and honestly it already says most of the review.
Riding a motorbike around Mã Pí Lèng, floating on the Nho Quế river, looking at the Đồng Văn karst plateau, visiting places like Pao's House and Lô Lô Chải village, all of it felt unreal in the best way. Hà Giang was not just beautiful. It was peak.
Good To Know
- Morning
- Cloudy afternoon
- Golden hour
- Do not rush the loop into too few days.
- Choose a local driver or guide if mountain riding is not familiar.
- Pack layers and rain protection.
Quick Facts
Overview
Phú Quý is the most beautiful island I have visited so far. I stayed there for around two weeks, made a few new friends, and kept being surprised by how good the views were.
It also gave me a few firsts: seeing the Milky Way, snorkeling, and confessing feelings by the sea. A little dramatic, but life needs some scenes like that.
Good To Know
- Morning
- Golden hour
- Sunset
- Book ferry timing before locking the full route.
- Use mornings for riding and photos.
- Bring sun protection; shade can be limited on open roads.
Quick Facts
Overview
Đà Lạt has a special place in my memory because it was where I started traveling alone. I loved the weather, the people, the food, and apparently loved them enough to visit ten times in one year.
It is one of those cities that feels both modern and wild in small doses, like a place where you can disappear for a bit and still feel at home.
Good To Know
- Early morning
- Golden hour
- Cloudy afternoon
- Start early for mist and quieter streets.
- Do not overpack the day; distance feels longer on hill roads.
- Keep one cafe or walking block unplanned.