Halong Bay
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
North-east Vietnam. Very famous so easy to find.
Grid Ref
Not known
Features
Tiny limestone islands (some with caves and some with small beaches) dotted across the Bay.
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Hazards
The weather can actually be quite cold and its often foggy- just like home then!
Date of Last Swim
February 2003
Ngo Dong River
(A THREE TRUNK location: excellent views but muddy)
(I’m the tiny blob on the right)
Location
My swim was in the very touristy bit of the river at Tam Coc but there were occasional gaps in the constant stream of boats for tourist. Its about 9km to the SW of Ninh Binh, not too far from Hanoi.
Grid Ref
Not known
Features
Warm and shallow water, along with breathtaking views.
Hazards
Due to the warm and shallow water the bottom of the river is very muddy. More worryingly is that Vietnam has Schistosomiasis! Also known as Bilharzia! Its transmitted by minute worms tht enter through your skin and attach themselves to your intestines or bladder. The resulting infection often causes no symptoms until the disease is well established (several months to years after exposure) and damage to internal organs is irreversible. STILL least you had a good swim!
Date of Last Swim
February 2003
Perfume River
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
Perfume River passes through the city of Hue in central Vietnam. I chose a spot for a swim c. 6km to the south near the village of Tuan to the north of the car ferry.
Grid Ref
Not known
Features
The bank from the adjacent road is a bit steep, but some kind sole has built concrete steps. Its a bit stoney and gets deep pretty quick.
Hazards
None really, although I did gain a crowd of school children.
Date of Last Swim
February 2003