JASON BJORKLUND

       After a little over a month in Thailand, I hopped over to Vietnam for just 7 days. But those 7 days ended up being the most peaceful, beautiful, and genuine part of the whole trip. I first met up with my brother in Hanoi, who had been traveling the length of Vietnam while I was in Thailand. He helped me quickly adjust to the new environment — which, in my experience, is always the hardest part of traveling.
       After one night to settle in, we immediately set out on the extended Ha Giang Loop. We rode northeast toward Ba Bể Lake to begin our 7-day journey through the north. This route sees far fewer tourists, which made the adventure feel truly authentic. It also happened to be a Vietnamese holiday, so we got to meet locals traveling from other parts of the country. Many times, they welcomed us in, shared their food and “happy water,” and made us feel at home.
       Each day was filled with quiet motorbike rides on winding roads, surrounded by Vietnam’s lush landscapes and endless rice fields. The photos I took along the way always bring me back to what an incredible trip it was — but honestly, they don’t do it justice. It’s one of those places you just have to see in person.