Ninh Binh

The past few days have been a whirlwind of physically demanding activity. It hasn’t really rained so the temperatures are making things more challenging. Think hot yoga without the yoga. Constant state of wetness. Despite all this N has still at times been in her fleece lined hoodie! One big benefit of being in a constant sweaty state is that I’m spending zero time on appearance. I haven’t combed my hair or looked at my face in days and there’s no point in any makeup.

So what have we done?

4 days go we headed to Ninh Binh. Smallest province in Vietnam.it was about 2.5 hrs from Hanoi.
Ninh Binh is a backpackers paradise. Tons of amazing guest houses to chill in. We hooked up with Son, a local tour guide who took us off the beaten track. We biked for 1.5 hours in Tran An to check out the scenery (N did amazing despite the heat), had lunch at a homestay, went boating in Tam Coc (see video for rowing technique) and checked out Bich Dong pagoda.

Tam Coc

Some things we learned along the way from Son:

• most people in Hanoi rent. Average apartment is $150 USD, average wage per day is $11 USD
• being a communist regime no social programs for citizens 
• remember the homeless observation - well there are no homeless. Hard work ethic engrained into the culture 
• parents live with sons. If 2 sons, one takes one parent and the other parent goes with second son. Women don’t have this responsibility so it’s important to have sons.

Tam Coc

Cycling in Ninh Binh