Winding through misty mountains between Đà Nẵng and Huế, the Hải Vân Pass has long captured the imagination of road-trippers worldwide. Its dramatic cliffs, dense jungle, and sweeping ocean views were made famous after featuring in Top Gear’s Vietnam Special, earning its reputation as one of the world’s greatest coastal roads. After years of watching that episode, finally riding the pass felt like turning a long-held dream into reality. On a hired motorbike we climbed higher, traffic slowly falling away as the road opened up to unforgettable panoramas and the pure sense of freedom that only travelling on two wheels can bring.

In Hanoi’s bustling streets, history waits in unexpected corners. One quiet lake holds the rusted remains of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber shot down in 1972, its jagged metal still rising from the water as a stark reminder of the city’s turbulent past. Nearby, locals gather on low plastic stools at street-side bars, sharing cold beers and conversation amid the hum of scooters and laughter. Wandering between war relics, museums, and lively evening scenes, we found a city that carries its history openly, blending memory and modern life in a way that feels both honest and deeply human.

Our Asia trip had taken us many places, but nothing compared to The Road to Sapa. After a surreal overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, we picked up a motorbike and began the climb into northern Vietnam’s misty mountains. Rain-soaked roads and landslides turned the journey into a raw adventure, yet each challenge seemed to heighten the sense of anticipation. Riding through slick bends and rocky tracks, we felt both small and alive against the vast landscape. When dawn broke over tiered rice terraces and drifting clouds, we knew the struggle was worth every moment.