Vietnamese English Vinglish

While travelling from south to north in Vietnam, I came across some signs that made me smile or completely confused me. The top one was off the front of a menu in Ninh Binh.

A prehistoric cave

Within Cuc Phuong National Park, 7500 years ago hunter gathers had once inhabited a cave.

Swallowed by trees

West of Ninh Binh, was Cuc Phuong National Park. I hiked the six kilometre trail up and down stone steps amonst giant trees while heading for the park’s “thousand year old tree.”

Stairway to heaven

I entered Phat Diem’s gardens and looked up to see those five hundred steps looming towards the sky. When I came to the bottom stony step, I decided to count my way up.

Bich Dong Pagoda

Perched part of the way up a hill not far from Ninh Binh, was Bich Dong Pagoda. I climbed stone steps then passed through a cave behind the temple to reach the next site.

Ngo Dong River boat ride

A thousand boats lay in wait for the on-slaught of tourists ready to embark along this muddy river in Tam Coc, just out of Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh’s secret island

Ninh Binh with wide streets and less traffic, still wasn’t appealing but I decided to explore anyway.