Well hello to you my reader chums! Hue was my favorite part of Vietnam, out of the three locations I visited on my 10-day trip. Hue is located in the centre of Vietnam and mainly renowned for its Imperial City. I loved Hue because it had a calm atmosphere and there were lots of things to see and do on my trip. I was only there for three days but could have happily spent longer there soaking up the city.


If you're planning a trip to Hue, here is my 3-day guide to the city.

Day 1 - Mooch around the city 

Our first day in Hue, we arrived later than expected due to a late flight, however that didn't stop us from soaking up the beauty of the city. Our hotel was located near the 'hub' of Hue where there were plenty of quaint restaurants, bars and the coolest of shops that it made for the cutest place to mooch around and explore. The restaurants in Hue were one of my favorite in Vietnam and mooching around gave us the opportunity to get our bearings of the place. Hue had a very calm vibe compared to Hanoi and even Ho Chi Minh City which was already quite calm. It livened up in the evenings around the bar scene but wasn't too crazy.

Day 2 - Imperial City, tomb exploring and Perfume River 



Imperial City - Hue is renowned for the Imperial City or the 'Citadel' as it's also named. The Imperial City used to be one of the most important political centres of the country. It was once an enormous complex full of the executive and bureaucracy you would expect from a capital city. The Citadel is enclosed within a square fortress with each of the four walls about 2 kilometres long and a wide moat on the outside. From our hotel, the Imperial City was around a half-hour walk and unless you can tolerate the heat, I would suggest getting a taxi instead. Despite the tiring walk, it gave us the opportunity to explore Hue by foot and soak up the city in a way we couldn't if we got a cab. We walked over the Perfume River, past the local shops and saw lots of friendly faces along the way.



The Imperial City cost around $6.60 each to get in and was worth every penny. As I entered the city, I was overwhelmed with how much history stood in front of me and fascinated by what was in the walls years and years ago. The citadel had many beautiful buildings, rustic gates, china inspired decor and lots of cool archways to get the perfect gram. I loved exploring the pretty temples, walking across the endless stretches of grass and soaking up the ancient history. It took us around 2 hours to see it all but you could probably do it quicker or slower, taking your time to appreciate every angle, and paying for a guide to share the history with you.

Dong Ba Market - Asia is renowned for its markets and Dong Ba has a completely authentic appeal. Whether you want to bulk buy food, purchase a trinket or simply have a browse and meet the locals, this market is for you. The market gave us a real sense of what fresh produce the locals grow and the nicknacks they make.


Perfume River  - The river is one of the city's prettiest highlights and the perfect spot to find some shade in the nearby park and take a break from all the walking.


Tu Duc Tomb - Hue is such a significant city in terms of history and has some incredible tombs worth the visit. They're all pretty far out compared to the main city that you'll need to get a taxi to and from them. On this day, we decided to do one tomb and that was the Tu Duc Tomb. This tomb was very picturesque with the surrounding river and incredibly detailed architecture. It was pretty huge to walk around but a tranquil place to be.



Day 3 - Temples and tombs

Thien Mu Pagoda - This temple is one of the faces of Hue other than the Imperial City. Although quite a small temple, it's a lovely place to visit and stroll around. The temple is located up some steep steps and overlooks the Perfume River. It's also quite a way out of the city that your best bet would also be getting a taxi unless you hire a motorbike.



Tomb of Khai Dinh King - This tomb was the most impressive I saw out the two as it was crafted in the finest of ways. When we arrived, we had to walk up a mountain of steps to reach the courtyard which featured plenty of ancient statues and there were steps after steps until you reached the top. It was beautiful from the outside and the inside, where everything was decorated with intricate mosaic detailing. Honestly, I couldn't get over how extravagant it was for a tomb.



Other tombs - There are quite a few other tombs you can visit on your trip to Hue if you'd like to learn more about the rulers of Vietnam. These include the tomb of Minh Mang, Gia Long, Thieu Tri, Dong Khanh and a whole lot more. As there are so many, you'll want to map out the route of the order you'd like to see them and get a quote from the taxi driver or book a tour.

Where to stay 

Hue is a hub for plenty of hotels and hostels that you won't be short of places to choose from. We booked the Stop & Go Boutique Homestay and I can honestly say it was one of my boyfriend and I's favourite accommodations during our whole Asia trip. As it was a homestay, the family who ran it lived onsite and they were all incredibly friendly. We received complimentary breakfast every day, and the homestay was located only a few minutes walk from the main hub fo the town. Our room was incredibly modern and I could have happily stayed there for a few more nights - it was so welcoming.

Where to eat 

Zucca - Just because you're in Vietnam, it doesn't mean you can't dine Italian style. Zucca is a classic Italian which serves up an array of traditional pizza and pasta dishes but also Vietnamese cuisine as well. It's a lovely family restaurant - and on our visit, we got complimentary bruschetta and fruit for dessert!

Hanh Restaurant - This restaurant was actually recommended to us by our homestay manager as it's a favourite for locals and visitors alike. Out of all the places we dined in Hue it was the most authentic and really gave us a taste of the traditional cuisine. The setting is very basic with cafeteria looking tables and cutlery but the food is insanely good and also insanely cheap.

The Rustic Kitchen - This restaurant is definitely one to go on the Insta feed. As the names suggest it has a rustic feel about it with a varied menu including some yummy curries. It's also located in the centre of the town near many bars and other restaurants.

Aroma Coffee - I'm a big lover of coffee houses. I love going in them to have a quick drink and cake and just chill. Aroma Coffee was a lovely little find as we were strolling through the streets of Hue and wanted to cool down. The coffee shop was one of those rustic cafe type places with painted wooden chairs and a lot of comfy pillows on the wall seats. They also served up the best-iced chocolate I've ever had!



I hope you enjoyed this guide to Hue. When are you planning to visit?


Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! If you saw my last post, then you'd know this past week, I had the pleasure of finally visiting the Royal Opera House and watching the ballet, Swan Lake. My boyfriend surprised me with the tickets for my birthday and said we'd make a night of it and also booked a hotel.

Here's an overlook of my time at the ballet and what we got up to.

We arrived in London for around half two and headed straight to our hotel The Grand which was located about a 2-minute walk from Trafalgar Square and 10 minutes from Covent Garden. The hotel was lovely and our room was tucked away that we couldn't hear any guests at all. As the ballet began at 7.30pm, we decided to book dinner early and headed over to The Ivy in Covent Garden for 4pm.

I've seen The Ivy raved about on social media for years that I thought it would be the perfect day to go as we were already dressing up and preparing for a fancy evening. We went to The Ivy in Covent Garden, which was just outside of the main square. When we entered The Ivy, I instantly felt as if we were entering somewhere a little bit special. The place was decked out with plush furniture, dressed up folk and the service was exemplary. 

For our meal, I chose the roast chicken with mash and my boyfriend got a steak with a side of mash too. Honestly, the dinner was incredibly delicious and I still can't get over how good and rich the mash was. We're both huge mash fans! We accompanied our meal with cocktails and shared a chocolate lava cake for dessert - which was also insane. I couldn't get over how good the food was! And, I was definitely on the celebrity lookout as there were a lot of cool people dining in the restaurant.

After a lavish meal, we walked back to the hotel room and got suited and booted ready for the ballet. I wore a gorgeous lilac tulle dress (which you can read all about in my outfit post) and my boyfriend wore a black suit with a bow tie. We got a taxi over to the Royal Opera House and once we arrived, I couldn't believe my eyes. The foyer itself was fancy and traditional enough that my excitement grew as time went on.

Doors opened just after seven and as I strolled into the theatre, I literally couldn't believe my eyes again- it was absolutely beautiful! The stage and stalls were a combination of red and gold, and I felt like royalty strolling down the aisle in my frock.

The Swan Lake ballet began at half 7 and I couldn't believe it when the first note played. Swan Lake is my favourite ballet and I've been dreaming about seeing it at the Royal Opera House from the age of 10. The costumes were out of this world as well as all the dancers' talent and the music was nostalgic in so many ways. I still can't believe I have seen Swan Lake on such a famous stage! I was in awe watching the whole time, especially when the dancers' would do pirouette after pirouette! It was beautiful, heartbreaking, wonderful and packed with so much incredible talent. The ballet will always have a place in my heart and I would love to re-live that day all over again.

If you ever get the opportunity to see a ballet or show at the Royal Opera House, I would highly recommend it. It's the perfect time to dress up, appreciate the amazing talent and have a truly unforgettable evening. Thank you to my boyfriend Dan for planning the best birthday ever!

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you seen Swan Lake before?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! It's not every day you live your childhood dreams and finally attend a ballet at the Royal Opera House. My boyfriend surprised me with tickets for Swan Lake (my favourtie ballet) for my birthday this year and I honestly couldn't contain my excitement. I've been dreaming of this day since I was 10 years old and used to collect ballet magazines which always featured the Royal Opera House and all the ballet content you could think of.

The day finally came on Tuesday just gone and I honestly couldn't wait! As it was such a once in a lifetime experience, my boyfriend and I wanted to dress up really formal and fancy, and it was so much fun. He went for the full black suit look and a bow tie, and I decided to rock my inner ballerina.

I wanted to purchase a dress that looked like a tutu but wasn't exactly a tutu so had a browse on Asos and came across this gorgeous lilac gown with lace detailing on the top and tutu-like fabric falling all the way down to the floor.

As soon as I put it on, I felt like a princess ballerina and didn't want to take it off. Stepping into the Royal Opera House really heightened my excitement and I felt like royalty parading around in my dress. The outfit just brought everything together that I couldn't help share it with you guys. 

I originally wanted to pair the dress with a pair of nude heels, however, when I got to London I realised the strap had fallen off on them and had to opt for my black heels instead. I loved how the black heels paired with the dress and also matched my boyfriend's suit.

Dress: Asos

Shoes: New Look (they are a few years old so I can't link them)

Bag: New Look 

The show was honestly once in a lifetime! As I stepped into the main theatre, I couldn't believe my eyes at how beautiful it all was and I felt as if I was in a movie. Then when the ballet began, the whole time I was in awe of the ballet dancers' talent and the stunning production which took place. Swan Lake is a wonderful ballet and the Boshi Ballet company brought all my dreams to life, and I wish I could relive my night at the Royal Opera House over and over again.

I hope you enjoyed this fashion post. Have you been to the Royal Opera House before? 

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! Glamping is one of those things that I absolutely love to do; it's a mini-break away in the countryside with the luxuries that camping doesn't have. For my boyfriend's birthday this year, I decided to stay local and take him glamping. He had never been glamping before which made the experience even more exciting!

As I only wanted to go away for one night, I tried to find a place local in Kent, and after a bit of research, I managed to find a converted shepherd's hut in Landews Meadow Cottages. Located in Challock Kent, it was located in the middle of Canterbury and Ashford. 

Landews Meadow Farm was tucked away down a country lane in the quaintest village I've ever seen. Upon arrival, Nigel, the owner took us on a tour around the hut, showed us how to use everything, our private shower room, and the hot tub. We both fell in love with the hut straight away, and we're blown away about how peaceful it was. 

The hut was small but the perfect size. The table inside converted into a double bed, there were bunk beds and a mini kitchen with every single utensil you could require! Outside the hut, we had our own decking area with table and chairs, and then a BBQ on a closed area of land. Across from the BBQ, we had our private bathroom which was decked out with the best shower ever and a hot tub next door. The hot tub was shared with the other cottage residents but there was a schedule in place of who used it at what hour so it felt like our own private tub. I'm still not over how beautiful all the amenities were, the hut and its scenery. The farm also housed two other cottages but you wouldn't think that at all as the hut seemed completely secluded, and overlooked a lake and the never-ending scene of the countryside. 

We arrived at the hut around 3pm when check-in was and spent our time appreciating the outdoors, visiting the local farm shop, cooking up a BBQ and going in the hot tub. It was one of those peaceful evenings where we could spend the time as just us two with no major distractions. The next morning, we had the hut till 11am so I was able to cook up birthday pancakes and soak up all the beauty before our departure.

My boyfriend and I both loved the hut and the entire experience. It was the perfect 1-night staycation which made unique from staying in a normal hotel. We had each other, the lovely gift of the outdoors and lots of attractions on sight. I would love to go back again!

If you're interested in a glamping trip, here's all the information about the hut.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you been glamping before?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! Vietnam to date is still one of the most incredible countries I've ever visited and I really long to go back. The country had a very authentic atmosphere about it with fewer tourists, friendly locals wherever you went and dreamy sights - and the food is pretty epic too. It's one of those places I wish I spend a lot more time exploring!

I was in Vietnam for 10 days in total and visited 3 different locations during my stay: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Hanoi. 10 days was nowhere near enough to soak up the culture completely, but it allowed my boyfriend and me to experience the main sights, and get a taste of what life in Vietnam is like.

Ho Chi Minh City used to be called Saigon and is located in the south of the country, and has to be one of the cleanest cities I visited in Asia. Everyone I met there welcomed both of us with open arms and I felt safe everywhere I went. For a city, although there are a million motorbikes around, it didn't feel too hectic and I loved having the chance to explore around.

We were only in Ho Chi Minh City for 2 days in total but that's enough time to see the main sights and get a feel of things in my opinion as it's not the largest city ever. If you're heading for 2 days, here is what you should get up to.

Day 1: Sightseeing and exploring

Every city has it's renowned sights and Ho Chi Minh City is no different, as there are a lot of things you can go see and spend a few hours walking around. The main hot spots I've mentioned below are all within walking distance to each other that you won't need to pay out for taxis.

War Remnants Museum - On my travels to both Cambodia and Vietnam, I learned a lot about both the wars that went on there which I wasn't aware of beforehand. The War Remnants Museum is a must-see in my opinion as it gave myself an insight into the horrors that went on during the war and how recent it really was. You'll learn all the historical facts and probably find out a lot of things you didn't know. Our hotel was located in the centre of town, around the Ben Thanh area, and it took around a 20-minute walk from there. The museum is also really cheap, around 15,000 VND which is the equivalent of 50p.

Notre Dame - Paris may be renowned for its Notre Dame which unfortunately had a serious fire quite recently, but Vietnam has their own version. It's incredibly similar to the real Paris version and is beautiful to go visit. As it's a church, it's free to enter - but you have to make sure to visit when there isn't a service going on.

Post Office - You may be thinking, why should I visit a post office? But Ho Chi Minh City's post office is like the equivalent to Grand Central Station in New York - a mundane place that looks really cool inside. 

Independent Place - The Independent Palace is something I wanted to visit on our trip, however, it was closed when we arrived in the evening. The palace is beautiful to walk around as it has lush gardens, secret rooms, antique furniture and a command bunker to see.

Ben Thanh market - If you've been to Asia then you'd know it's renowned for its markets. The Ben Thanh market is quite the highlight in this city. When we arrived, it reminded me of a stacked up indoor boot fair with loads of trinkets you can buy.

Walking around the area - Ho Chi Minh City has two different sides to it in my opinion. There's the one side which has manicured lawns, quaint cafes and a quiet vibe to it, and then the other side which is completely busy, with motorbikes and business buildings. The quieter side is located near the main attractions, and you can spend a while soaking it all up and stopping at one of the coffee shops, or dining on local cuisine.

Day 2 - Day trip to the Mekong River and Floating Market

Ho Chi Minh City isn't that big and if you're there just to see it, you can visit all the main sights in one day - that I'd recommend using the second day for a day trip. There are loads of trips you can go for but we chose the Mekong River and floating market one. Although tourism has wiped out the floating market quite a bit, the day trip was incredible and we both enjoyed it.

Our bus picked us up early around 7.30am to drive us to the river for the boat tour. We then hopped on the boat and it took us along the Mekong River, where our first stop was Hav Von, a lovely little village on the riverside. At the village, we learned how they made rice corn, rice paper and coconut candy which is a delicacy there. And, we even got to sample some! Inside the village, there was also an opportunity to hold a snake which my boyfriend loved.

The next village we stopped off at was Xa Hoa Ninh. From the boat stop, we all got given bikes and had the opportunity to cycle through the Vietnamese countryside - which still to date one of my favourite experiences. We rode to a restaurant and had some traditional lunch there. Then, we took a walk down to a smaller river and had the opportunity to row small boats and wear the traditional Vietnam hats. The small river was ever so peaceful and we had the opportunity to listen to the quietness of nature. After the boat ride, it was time for a 3-hour journey back.

Although it was a pretty long day, I absolutely adored the excursion! We had the opportunity to experience the countryside, row our own boat, go for a cycle and eat good food. It was certainly a highlight on my trip. 

Where to stay 

Ho Chi Minh City is packed with loads of hotels in different price ranges and we chose the Blue River Hotel, which was located near the Ben Thanh district - and in walking distance, to all the attractions I've listed above. It was a super lovely hotel which included breakfast and the best customer service ever. The two receptionists were very helpful with recommendations.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Have you visited Vietnam before?

Thank you for reading <3