Why Hong Kong and Vietnam are the perfect one-two punch for your first trip to Asia

You’ve saved up your money and booked your vacay days. You’re ready to jet off to Asia — but where to start?

Well, we’re here to tell you that Hong Kong and Vietnam are your perfect mix of culture, food, and natural (and manmade) beauty. Not to mention as a two-country combo, they offer the best chance to get all the excitement Asia has to offer.

With nothing but a luxurious 1.5 hour flight (shorter than most movies!) on Hong Kong Airlines separating the two, you will wonder why you didn’t make this trip sooner. This airline has everything you need to make your journey seamless: The seats are comfortable, meal service is diverse and tasty, and in-flight staff are friendly and helpful.

Here are six reasons why Hong Kong and Vietnam will give you the ultimate Asian experience.

The perfect mix of classic and modern

On one hand, you’ve got Hong Kong — the city with the most skyscrapers, and most expensive housing, in the world. You will notice an incredible contrast of old vs. new, modern vs. traditional. Treat yourself to a cocktail at one of the city’s heart-stopping skybars, experience the wine and dine scene, and shop till you drop in Causeway Bay.

But visiting this city doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. There is a way to do Hong Kong on the cheap, while still experiencing the authentic HK lifestyle. Eat at a food stand on Stanley Street, bargain shop at the markets in Mong Kok, and stay in a hostel. You’re guaranteed to experience the magic of this city no matter what your budget is.

But of course, that’s only half the trip. Vietnam is pure, authentic and true, and will give you a taste of the more simple Asian lifestyle. You can stay here for under $20 CAD a day, accommodation and food included. I got a haircut in Hanoi for $2.80 CAD. I feel fantastic 💁.

Both destinations have embraced the tourist scene in their own way, and you can feel the impact of Vietnam’s throngs of backpackers or Hong Kong’s thriving expat community. Despite the masses of internationals, each destination has retained its authentic character in a way that feels very real and significant.

Supreme Asian cuisines

If you’re looking to taste the best of Asia, the Hong Kong and Vietnam combo pack will leave you leaving feeling quite tickled.

Hong Kong is all about the dim sum, and Vietnam serves up a mean dish of pho. Try the street food in both by hitting up Stanley Street in Hong Kong or Dong Zuon Market in Hanoi, and taste test something a bit out of your comfort zone — like HK’s snake soup at Shia Wong Hip in Sham Shui Po, or Hanoi’s snail soup at Thuy’s.

Ease of travel

Coming overseas from somewhere like Vancouver, you may be concerned that the flight to Asia is a long one. But not to worry – Hong Kong Airlines has your back. This airline offers a non-stop daily service between Vancouver (YVR) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) — no pesky layovers to deal with!

Plus, they offer a variety of perks to enhance your travel experience, like an inflight Skybar for both Business and Economy classes, complimentary iPad 4 mini use for all Economy passengers, and the brand-new VIP lounge “Club Autus” at HKG, which has one of the longest food lines of its kind offering a variety of Chinese and Western dishes, as well as popular health foods and Hong Kong delicacies.

Pro tip: Win yourself some brownie points if you’re travelling with someone who is celebrating a special occasion like a birthday, anniversary, or proposal; Hong Kong Airlines offers the opportunity to pre-arrange for above-and-beyond special services when flying out of Vancouver, so you can surprise your loved one!

A friendly fusion of east meets west cultures

While Hong Kong and Vietnam have embraced modern trends in their own way, you will also get a major sense for the authentic, tried-tested-and-true culture in both of these destinations. While Vietnam was colonized by France and Hong Kong by Britain, both destinations have maintained strong cultural roots that will be evident to anyone who visits.

Hong Kong and Vietnam are both safe places for travellers, with friendly, welcoming locals. You will be embraced in a way that will make you not want to leave.

Jaw-dropping natural beauty

When it comes to mother nature, Hong Kong and Vietnam have both been #blessed.

Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay is a literal slice of heaven, and your life is not complete until you cruise through these stunning limestone cliffs along the picture perfect Gulf of Tonkin — with booze or without.

The rice fields of Sapa are truly a see-it-to-believe-it kind of situation, and the 3,260 km coastline is dotted with some of the most pristine beaches in Southeast Asia. And don’t even get us started on the mountainous countryside; descending into Hanoi at dusk on a Hong Kong Airlines flight feels like something out of a fairytale.

Hong Kong, while known primarily as a bustling commercial hub, is also home to incredibly stunning natural landscapes, starting with the jaw-dropping Victoria Peak backdrop to the city’s iconic skyline. Step outside of the city and hike up the Ma On Shan mountains in the winter, when the heat is bearable; in the summer, hop on a kayak and cruise around the hidden beaches of Sai Kung. Wild Hong Kong can hook you up if you’re looking for ease of planning and local expertise to guide you through these natural beauties.

So. Many. Activities.

Alright, enough lounging around. It’s time to earn your next meal (and work off your last one). You’re going to Asia and you need to experience ALL that this continent has to offer. From hiking and kayaking to scootering and rice field trekking, Hong Kong and Vietnam are serving up an action-packed itinerary on a silver platter.

Lazy and proud of it? You deserve this too, friend. These destinations are delivering some major r&r as well. Get a $7 CAD massage at one of Vietnam’s many spas, or kick back at one of Hong Kong’s luxurious rooftop pools. In it for shopping, beach bumming, partying, eating? These places have got something for everyone.

We could go on, but instead, we recommend just jumping on a Hong Kong Airlines flight and seeing for yourself what makes these destinations worthy of a visit. We promise you will not be disappointed.

Hong Kong and Vietnam truly are the perfect mix of everything you could ask to get out of your first trip to Asia. Now pack your bags and get at it – we can’t wait to live vicariously through your ‘Grams.

Make sure to share your photos with #dailyhivemapped #Travel2HongKong and #HKAirlines.

Are you looking to take a trip to Hong Kong or Vietnam? Enhance your experience and book with Hong Kong Airlines.

For more information on Hong Kong, visit Discover Hong Kong.

For more information Vietnam, visit Bestway Tours &Safaris.

You could win the trip of a lifetime worth $13,660 CAD courtesy of Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Bestway Tours & Safaris, simply by entering the contest below!

Prize

Enter for your chance to win the following prize:

• 2 x Economy class return tickets from Vancouver – Hong Kong – Ho Chi Minh City, provided by Hong Kong Airlines
• 3 x nights accommodation in Hong Kong for two people on a twin-sharing basis, provided by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)
• Airport-hotel return transfers
• Two tours for two people in Hong Kong (choice of hotel and tours are at the discretion of HKTB)
• A trip for 2 people to Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, provided by Bestway Tours & Safaris
• 3 x nights accommodation for two people (choice of hotel and program are at the discretion of Bestway Tours & Safaris)
• Transfer services
• Entrance fees and boat fees where applicable
• Vietnam Visa on Arrival Approval letter
• Pre-arranged meals
• Guided by an English-speaking local guide

Blackout dates: 11 December 2018 – 5 January 2019, 29 January – 17 February 2019, 16-25 April 2019, 22 Jun – 10 Sep 2019, 11 December – 5 January 2020

Contest

To enter for your chance to win the prize listed above, courtesy of Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Bestway Tours & Safaris, fill in the Google form below:

Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on December 10, 2018. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted directly from Hong Kong Airlines.

Please read the full contest terms and conditions by Hong Kong Airlines here. 

Contest Guidelines

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Disclaimer: Travel, accommodation, and meals were provided by Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Bestway Tours & Safaris. All views and opinions are those of the author.