Travels in Vietnam

Eight lanes of motorbikes, four children with luggage, two mobile phones with flat batteries, no map, 40 degree heat, darkness and lost! A nice easy introduction to what is still called by the locals ‘Saigon’. Luckily a good sense of humour and more importantly after a few hours of suffering - a taxi!

Ho Chi Minh City is still rich with French influences from its very own Notre Dame to striking French architecture, the City’s famous dish of pho noodles is practically unbeatable, even according to our four year old.

After a fascinating and sobering visit to the Cu Chi tunnels we were on our way north to visit one of our fair trade suppliers, passing through stunning countryside, remote small fish farms, hidden beaches and fields upon fields of rice paddies.

With a water buffalo ride now under our belt and the enchanting magic of Hoi An forever imprinted on our minds, we arrived to see what is perhaps one of the most unforgettable experiences of Vietnam – astounding ancient ceramics and artisan skills.

Watching our Indigo drop collection shaped from clay, then painstakingly decorated free-hand in the exquisite indigo drop design was astounding. The precision, skill, accuracy and patience is humbling. These beautiful ceramics with such everyday purpose couldn’t be further from every day - they are quite simply extraordinary.