Greetings all!
As a graduate student studying visual journalism, I have always believed in the power of photographs. To sum up all the emotions of the last few days, I will let the photographs do the talking.
Our last week in the village was filled with hugs, dances, and tearful goodbyes as we leave the village to our final destinations of Hanoi & Halong Bay. We are incredibly thankful for the openness of those in the village of Binh Thanh and we promise we will come back one day.
Our last goodbye from the Youth Union in Binh Thanh Village!
We spent the first two days in Hanoi sightseeing. We visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), Military War History Museum, Tran Quoc Pagoda & Temple and strolled through the famous Old Quarters of Hanoi.
Our group outside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum during our full day of sightseeing.
The next day, we took a four hour journey to our private boat in Halong Bay. We visited a remote beach, swam and kayaked until sunset, and finally relaxed on the deck of our boat.
Beautiful Halong Bay. Photo by Ally
Dan, Maya, Margot, and Ava inside one of the caves of Halong Bay. Photo by Lily
Unfortunately, due to the typhoon in the South China Sea, we had to end our Halong Bay excursion a day early. We made our way back to Hanoi for an awesome sushi dinner for Chloe’s birthday celebration!
Chloe’s Birthday celebration in Hanoi!
Our last day was spent in the Old Quarter picking up last minute gifts and souvenir for friends and family.
Vietnam has taught us to always have an open mind and an open heart to all things unknown and foreign to us. The relationships we formed in the last month with the community, the Youth Union of Binh Thanh, our Putney family, and the one inside us will forever be one that we can look back on and cherish for the years to come!
Hẹn gặp lại! (See you again!)
All the love,
Ryan & Vi
Last group photo before leaving for the airport!