As we walked over the bridge, China looked like a wilted Vietnamese plant finally getting water. Tall glass, shining steel and strobing asian neon loom over the border. On entry, our bags got scanned with color coded 3D X-ray gear. The cities were clean and investment firms held up by giant stone columns took up [...]

Sapa is perched up in the northwest highlands of Vietnam. Peaks loom somewhere above the mist, but you can never tell how high they go. Occasionally the sun finds its way through and big spikes of marble are revealed growing out from the mountain at odd angles. Clouds roll over the cliffs like passing trains, [...]