Vietnam and China are probably two of the craziest countries you  could ever trek through. While the language barrier creates a problem, I would say the cultural differences are just so vast that you can’t help but find differences left and right.

Getting Ready to Ride the Streets of Vietnam

For instance,  when I took my first drive in Hanoi I was befuddled by the beeping, honking, and crazy driving exhibited by – everyone! Even my taxi  driver was on the verge of hitting every other person (including the family of five huddled on a motorcycle suited for two).

But, all in all, I would say that you need to bring these two to the top of your travel wish list. If anyone has told you recently that travel is expensive, you will be blown away at how far your money can  go over here! Let me convert some things for you that I saw in China and Vietnam (this is all priced out in American dollars): handmade  traditional silk dress ($12), Coca-Cola ($0.50), Adidas sneakers  ($15),etc. The list goes on and on. The two boxes I shipped home were over 25 pounds each. Oh boy, can anyone say shopping spree?

There is actually just too much to say about this tour. It’s difficult to put into words how hysterical it is to be haggled by little old ladies in Chengyang on the wind and rain bridges. (They  basically come up to you and scream, “You want to buy? Only one hundred!” Even if you say no, they continue to lower the price until it’s roughly 70% off. If you’re a good bargainer, come here!)

It’s unfathomable to describe the Longji rice terraces. (One of the coolest places on the planet – the Drong people, an ethnic Chinese minority actually carved these terraces into the side of a mountain to avoid leaving their homeland. Talk about determination! It took over seven hundred years to complete. That’s pretty hardcore if I do say so myself.)

It’s also impossible to try and explain how much fun our tour has been! You grow so close to the nine or ten other people you’re with, that you have a family connection. You know? It’s just an all-around immersing experience. Peace out everyone!