Never thought this day would come, but after almost two full years of distance learning, the kids are finally going back to in-person school! We found out over our spring breakโwhich we spent revisiting An Bang beach and the โancient cityโ of Hแปi An. We also pulled off a quick trip to Hแบก Long Bay.
Two years might not *sound* like a lot. โTime flies,โ and all that. But, to put it into perspective, the last time Sam was in school he was in third grade, he will be a sixth grader in Fall 2022. Itโs been a slog. Thatโs the only way to describe it. Going into the break, we didnโt really know which way the wind would blow (luckily, things turned for the better). Safe to say, we needed this break, and it did not disappoint. It was so nice to see a glimmer of what a post-COVID Vietnam might look like. So many more restaurants and shops and markets open.
International tourism has also opened. International commercial flights have resumed for the first time since March 2020. No COVID tests or quarantine required! So, if this looks appealing, come visit! Weโve got lots of room and adventure enough to share. First stop, Hแบก Long Bayโฆ
Hแบก Long Bay is a UNESCO world heritage site and a popular place for private or semi-private luxury cruises. We opted not to cruise, but did a boat tour. Mostly because being stuck on a boat for days with six young kids seemed like more work than it might be worth. Getting through a week in a hotel room is enough of a hassle. The scenery was perfect, along with the weather. Like most destinations in Vietnam, Hแบก Long also has a Sunworld cable car and theme park.
After Hแบก Long, we briefly returned to Hanoi before moving on to Hแปi An. We have been to Hแปi An a couple of times; it is one of our favorite places in Southeast Asia. We love the Ancient City and An Bang beach, just a matter of minutes from each other.
This year we also took a quick trip to Mแปน Sฦกn, a Hindu temple complex built by the Cham people and dedicated to the worship of Shiva, constructed before Vietnam became a United polity. Many of the temples were destroyed in a single week of bombing during the Vietnam war, and bomb craters are still visible.
We rounded out the week with the beach and a couple nights in the Ancient City. I am happy to report back, that many of the leather, silk, tailor and artisan shops have reopened and the city is quite lively! But nothing beats the beach.
Will Travel with Toddlers 