Several people I really trust and admire as travellers, have said that Vietnam is beautiful — their favorite place, they decided, when they returned from their Round-the-World trip. I heard enough positive things that it was topping my list of weekend places to go after a business trip to Singapore.

I wasn’t sure I loved Vietnam when I was there. I like so many places. But as I reflected back, and remembered all the little details, I realized I did love Vietnam. I might want to return there someday, in Ho Chi Minh region next time.

This time I was in Hanoi and took two day tours that took me hours beyond the city into the countryside and then to Halong Bay. I got to see a lot of Vietnam in my four days there. But not enough. Not even close.