Cat Ba Part of the attraction of Cat Ba is the ferry-ride over there. On leaving the Bach Dang estuary, you cut across open sea towards the island's towering cliffs and then head south to Cat Ba Town, an attractive little fishing port. From here it's easy to explore the southern reaches of Ha Long Bay. Street kitchens Perhaps it's because I like snacking, but my favourite occupation in Vietnam is cruising the street kitchens for interesting titbits. Not only is the food usually excellent, but it's cheap and you can see it being cooked in front of you.
Vietnamese coffee has a real kick.
Those early morning buses Getting up before dawn is not something I generally approve of, especially when it heralds a ten-hour bus journey. On this particular morning we crept out of Dien Bien Phu and climbed the valley wall in a dismal, swirling fog. Then, with perfect timing, the bus broke free as the sun rose over a breathtaking landscape of mountain peaks floating above billowing lakes of cloud.