Vietnam

This was one of the most profoundly beautiful and resilient countries I have ever visited. The food is unparalleled, the culture uplifting, the people both victims of grave injustices and, undoubtedly, masters of their own domain. We enjoyed a month in the country, broadly moving from North to South. What we saw could only have taken place in Vietnam, no other place could boast this impressive variety of organised chaos and blissful serenity. I associate a lot of things with this Vietnam now: bicycles, scooters, deep turquoise waters, dark karst mountains, night buses (where you actually sleep), rafts, monkey bridges, bamboo, water buffalo and coffee with condensed milk. And did I mention the food. The food deserves its own library: the freshness and fragrance is in a culinary league of its own. Simply put, the country is breathtaking, it is another world to everything you are used to, yet a testament to the human spirit. I will never forget my time here, and in love with the idea of returning and rediscovering. I implore everyone to go to experience this unique culture and, importantly, learn about Vietnamese history. You will never view this region through the same lens again.