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Coffee is everywhere in Vietnam—from a tiny coffee stall on a boat in the Mekong Delta to bustling cafés in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history of Vietnamese coffee and learn how the country went from French-introduced coffee plants to becoming the world’s second-largest coffee producer with its own style and a rich coffee culture.

We’ll make and taste some of Vietnam’s most iconic coffees, including strong black coffee, creamy white coffee, famous Hanoi egg coffee, salty coffee from Hue, and sweet coconut coffee. We’ll visit Giang Cafe in Hanoi, the birthplace of egg coffee, and along the way discover why civet coffee has a fascinating history but is definitely one coffee you should think twice about trying.

By the end, we had tasted our way through Vietnam—and probably consumed enough caffeine to keep us awake for the rest of our trip.

Music and Sound Credits:

Jazz Coffee Shop Music by Alex Morgan, Midnight Garden Overature by Whatssmoth and Khúc Trống Ra Trận by u_yko112bed1 provided by Pixabay

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Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay

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Hoi An is undeniably touristy. But after a few days wandering its lantern-lit streets, eating our way through some of the most unique food we found in Vietnam, and soaking up its beautiful old-world charm, I came away thinking: this place is touristy for a reason. In this episode, we explore Hoi An’s incredible food scene, from bánh bèo and white rose dumplings to cao lầu and endless cups of MOT herbal tea, while also navigating crowded markets, aggressive haggling, a somewhat questionable beach adventure, and some delightfully awkward interviews with local students. Come along to one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations—and find out why, despite the crowds, I absolutely think Hoi An is worth the hype.

Link to food tour (a local company):

The specific tour we did

All the tours by that company

Music and Sound Credits:

Samarai Acoustic by Ebunny, Dream by Atlas Audio and Sea and Beach by Upbeat provided by Pixabay.

Pickleball sound effect and Hoi An.wav by OleTerbijn -- License: Attribution License 4.0- provided by freesound community.

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Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay

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Laura and Carrie arrive on Phu Quoc expecting paradise but quickly discover an island full of contradictions. Between sunrise swims, snorkeling adventures with "Jack Sparrow," fish sauce factories, pepper farms, incredible local food, and a few tourist traps, they experience both the best and the most frustrating sides of Vietnam's fastest-changing island. As first impressions evolve into a deeper appreciation, join Laura and Carrie on a journey through the highs, lows, and unexpected moments that made Phu Quoc truly unforgettable.

Music Credits:

Velvet Keys #17 by Velvet Keys, Christmas Still Remembers You by FreeFlow Music Italo Disco, We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Viacheslav Starostin, and Soft Background by The Mountain all from Pixabay

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Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

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Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay

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Travel before sunrise into the waterways of southern Vietnam as we explore the famous Cai Rang Floating Market in the Mekong Delta. In this episode, we climb aboard a tiny boat in the dark, drift through a maze of river traffic, and eat what might be the best bowl of soup I’ve ever had — all while surrounded by a floating world that has existed for generations.

Along the way, we step inside a pineapple selling house boat, wander quiet canals filled with wildlife and plastic pollution, visit a tiny rice noodle factory, and wrestle with a complicated question: is tourism destroying places like this… or helping keep them alive? From sunrise markets and river culture to electric fishing, invasive snails, and rats for sale at the market, this is an unforgettable glimpse into life on the Mekong River.

Musical Credits

Vietnamese Rivers by Audiobay, Tết Nguyên Đán Việt Nam EDM by VPRODMUSIC_Asia_BGM , Looking for A Way to Make It Right by P Richmond and Documentary Nature by Nikita Kondrashev all made available by Pixabay

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Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

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Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay

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We leave Ho Chi Minh City behind and head south into the Mekong Delta—where life slows to the rhythm of the river, roads give way to waterways, and every stop is filled with unforgettable food and genuinely kind people.

In Can Tho, we explore tiny ferries, dirt paths, and a peaceful homestay surrounded by water and jungle. Then it’s off to explore fish farms, island villages, and a truly bizarre fish massage experience.

And just when you think the day couldn’t get more unexpected… we stumble upon one of the most unbelievable traditional food processes I’ve ever seen: puffed rice made with a literal explosion.

Musical Credits:

Quiet Girl by Name Percentage PRO, Julie Carpenter, Eric Cunningham and Chris Lang was provided by Slipstream Music.

We'Re In Limbo Now by The Benign One Ones was provided by Slipstream Music.

Over the Water, Humans Gather by Doctor Turtle is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

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Buy any of these products that I fully stand behind- and I'll earn a commission.

Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

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Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay

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In this first episode from Vietnam, Laura and Carrie land in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) and step straight into the chaos — jet lagged, wide-eyed, and trying to cross streets filled with rivers of motorbikes. They explore its contradictions: honking traffic and quiet hidden alleyways, glass skyscrapers and corrugated tin rooftops. These are their first impressions of Vietnam — loud, complicated, and unforgettable.

Then we travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 250-kilometer underground network used by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War (or the American War, depending on your perspective.) Standing where history actually happened makes the conflict feel real and complex. We learn about French colonialism, Cold War politics, Agent Orange, unexploded bombs, and the lasting impact of war that continues today. We crawl into tunnel entrances, watch propaganda films in a dirt-walled bunker, and confront what it feels like to be an American visitor in a place shaped by that history.

This episode is part travel diary, part history lesson, and part personal reflection — and just the beginning of our Vietnam journey.

Musical Credits:

Get Away In La, by Western Youths, Revolution Fever by Klaatu Verada Necktie,
Music provided by: Slipstream Music

Xanadon't by Mystery Mammal is licensed under a Attribution License.

Black Hawk City Fly-Over.wav by djfinski License: Attribution 3.0

Whispers in the Trees by Greg Kirkelie is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

My Native Land by Le Chaos Entre 2 Chaises is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Buy any of these products that I fully stand behind- and I'll earn a commission.

Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

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Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay

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In this final Nicaragua episode, Laura travels to Granada the way so many locals do—by chicken bus. These colorful, chaotic former U.S. school buses are an experience in themselves, and the journey from Ometepe to Granada is filled with market noise, snack vendors, seat strategy, and a healthy dose of travel nostalgia.

Once in Granada, Laura wanders the relaxed colonial streets of one of the oldest cities in the Americas, founded in 1524 and shaped by its proximity to Lake Nicaragua. Along the way, we dive into the city’s layered history—from Spanish colonization to ambitious canal plans that never fully materialized, including the long-debated alternative to the Panama Canal. This episode blends solo travel moments with big-picture history, all set against the backdrop of one of Nicaragua’s most beautiful cities.

Musical Credits:

Momentos by MusicBox and Hello Love by Jasmine J Walker
provided by: Slipstream Music

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Buy any of these products that I fully stand behind- and I'll earn a commission.

Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

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Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay

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Getting around Ometepe Island in Nicaragua isn’t as simple as it looks on a map — and sometimes the best way to explore is to grab the handlebars and go. In this episode, I take you along for the ride as I trade mountain hikes for an ATV adventure around the volcanic island. From bumpy unpaved roads to unexpected rainstorms and delicious street food, it’s a day of freedom, mud, and a few surprises along the way.

When the gas gauge doesn’t function, things get interesting. Join me as I navigate Ometepe’s wild beauty, learn the local rhythm of travel, and discover how running out of gas can be empowering.

Musical Credits:

Ambidextrous Bilingual by Forgetful Jones and Too Much Sun by CTS provided by: Slipstream Music

VHS Dreams by Shane Ivers - provided by silvermansound

Support the show

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

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Buy any of these products that I fully stand behind- and I'll earn a commission.

Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

Buy sustainably produced coffee: https://www.afueracoffee.com/ Enter promo code: TRAVELALONG for 15% off.

Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay