■ LAN HA BAY, VIETNAM: The coolest and by far the most unique place I have uncovered in Vietnam is the floating village community of Lan Ha Bay (next to Ha Long Bay). There are several of these but only one I've seen you can actually live in.

These are not tourist traps or set up for that purpose. The floating homes in these fishing villages have been there for 600 years and people live there even today. That is also what makes them so great as it gives foreigners and incredible opportunity to see how people live and thrive out in these coves.

Having only spent one night in this floating village upon my previous visit, I was eager to go back. This time however I was not going to make the mistake of only staying for one night.

I wanted to paddle a traditional plant woven boat. Hunt Gongo. Scale one of the mountain peaks and also get a closer look at the lives of the locals.

I decided 3 nights would be needed to accomplish said tasks.....

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■ I Rented a Floating Home in Vietnam
   • I Rented a Floating Home in Vietnam   

■ The Venice Experience: How Venetians Built an Empire
   • The Venice Experience: How Venetians ...