In honesty I was kind of over South East Asia when it came time to go to Vietnam. Alas I had committed to meeting my school friend Amy on the 24 th of March for a couple of days to see Halong Bay which I had heard was stunning. After a short flight from Luang Prabang (learning buying flights in country is cheaper than outside so long term travellers be heartened some things are cheaper left to the last minute) avoiding the 27 hour bus journey which was the only other option to Hanoi. I was then to make my way to Hoi An. The information centre was the cheapest option by far for the overnight sleeper bus so anyone taking time in Hanoi I would suggest this as your best option for buses – but not the Halong Bay tour. The bus journey was interesting starting with a motorbike ride across town, then a mini van before reaching a bus with actual beds….so novel. As a rookie I sat on the side of the driver meaning I had head lights coming at me all night. We stopped for a long ti...