Riding the Dragon's Spine

Pasquale De Marco

Summary

Embark on an extraordinary journey through Vietnam, a captivating land where history, culture, and natural beauty intertwine. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the serene landscapes of the Mekong Delta, this book takes you on an adventure that delves into the heart of this Southeast Asian gem.

Discover the remnants of war and the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people, who have triumphed over adversity to create a vibrant and hopeful nation. Witness breathtaking landscapes, from majestic mountains to pristine beaches, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Vietnamese life, its traditions, cuisine, and infectious joie de vivre.

Beyond the tourist trail, encounter artisans pouring their souls into exquisite handicrafts, farmers toiling in the rice paddies, and fishermen braving the seas. Learn about their challenges, dreams, and aspirations, and gain a deeper understanding of the resilience that defines the Vietnamese spirit.

This book is not just a travelogue; it's an exploration of history, culture, and the human spirit. Through personal encounters and insightful observations, the author paints a vivid portrait of Vietnam, capturing its beauty, its complexities, and its enduring charm.

As you journey through the pages of this book, you'll discover a country that has risen from the ashes of war to become a beacon of hope and progress. You'll meet people whose stories will inspire you, and you'll gain a new appreciation for the diversity and resilience of the human spirit.

Whether you're an armchair traveler, a history buff, or simply someone who loves a good story, this book will transport you to the heart of Vietnam and leave you with a newfound understanding of this extraordinary country.

If you like this book, write a review!

Available since: 06/02/2025.

Print length: 159 pages.

Travel

Other books that might interest you

Urban Legends - Exploring the...

John Harpoon

This book contains the following titles:
- A City Within One Building: The origins of this vision can be traced to the pressures of urbanization and the relentless march of technological innovation. As cities expanded horizontally, they encountered spatial limitations, environmental challenges, and infrastructural strain. The solution lay not outward, but upward. Vertical urbanism emerged as a response to these challenges, combining architectural ingenuity with a commitment to sustainability. The result is a new typology of buildings that integrate residential, commercial, recreational, and even cultural spaces into a cohesive, self-contained ecosystem.
- Culinary Jailbreak: In the depths of confinement, where the walls are more than just bricks and mortar but a constant reminder of lost opportunities, an unexpected force emerged: food. This story is not just about escape in the traditional sense, but about breaking free from the psychological and emotional prisons that can often be more suffocating than physical ones. It is a testament to the unyielding human spirit, its capacity for creativity and resilience even in the most stifling of conditions.
Incarceration is a test of endurance. Every day is marked by repetition, isolation, and the stripping away of autonomy. It’s easy to feel like hope is a distant dream, slipping further away with each passing hour. But in the midst of despair, something remarkable happened—a plan was forged in the most unlikely of places: the prison kitchen. It was here, in a space designed to merely nourish the body, that a group of individuals came to realize the power of food as a vehicle for something greater: freedom.

Show book

Brave-ish - One Breakup Six...

Lisa Niver

Newlywed Lisa Niver was on the adventure of a lifetime. She had quit her job, rented out her condo, and was traveling around Asia. To the outside world, Niver was a woman living out her dreams of exploring ancient ruins in Cambodia and seeing orangutans in Borneo. In private, she was keeping a dark secret. But, when she found herself lying on a sidewalk in Thailand, looking up at the sky in severe pain, she knew things had to change. At age forty-seven, Niver found the courage to set course on a new life. 
 
 
 
Feeling like a failure, pushing fifty, and moving home to her parents' house to start again from scratch, Niver started taking one tiny "brave-ish" step at a time. These small hurdles led to the challenge of trying fifty new things before turning fifty. Niver found herself traversing the world on a journey of reinvention, personal growth, and discovering what it actually means to be "brave." 
 
 
 
While Brave-ish chronicles Niver's inspiring expeditions to distant corners of the world including Myanmar, Cuba, Morocco, Kenya and Mongolia this is more than a travelogue. Niver's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. Brave-ish inspires listeners to dream big, take risks, and embrace the unknown to create a life filled with wonder and excitement, even when courage seems elusive.

Show book

Here Comes the Fun - A Journey...

Ben Aitken

'What Aitken writes about fun is worth reading' Mail on Sunday
'Irresistible' Christopher Somerville, author of The January Man and Walking the Bones of Britain
'A great book' Simon Rimmer, Sunday Brunch
'Aitken's writing is always a delight' Madeleine Bunting, author of The Seaside



Are you getting enough? Bestselling travel writer Ben Aitken wasn't.


Increasingly flat and decreasingly zen, Ben gave boredom the boot and stress the cold shoulder by embarking on a whimsical journey into the serious business of having a laugh.


He did a pilgrimage in Spain, a summer camp in Kent, and a cruise of the Baltic with 2,000 grannies. And when he wasn't on the road, he searched for merriment at home: by giving bridge a go, volunteering a chance, and gardening a crack of the whip.


By incorporating the thoughts of key thinkers and boffins, Here Comes the Fun offers a satisfying balance of the playful and the profound, the serious and the silly, the daft and the deep.

Show book

Val d'Aran - Las mejores...

César Barba

Si las montañas se alzan al sur y los ríos corren hacia el norte…, entonces esto es la Val d'Aran. Situado tras el cordón montañoso que forman algunos de los picos emblemáticos de los Pirineos, como los Besiberris, el Tuc de Mulleres o el circo de Colomèrs, la Val d'Aran dormita plácidamente en la cara norte de la cordillera. Es un territorio de fuerte personalidad, el único valle del Pirineo catalán que mira al Atlántico, mientras por el rabillo del ojo otea el Mediterráneo desde el túnel de Vielha. Sus bosques, cumbres y lagos, son el objetivo de las rutas de esta guía.
La mayoría de los núcleos de población del Aran se alojan a orillas del río Garona, que recorre el valle de este a oeste y forma la auténtica columna vertebral de este territorio. Pero en este valle también abundan las villas encaramadas a las alturas, ya que el 30% de superficie aranesa está situada por encima de los 2000 metros. De hecho, la Val d'Aran es de los primeros en vestirse de blanco cuando, en pleno otoño, las nevadas comienzan a perfilar las cumbres pirenaicas. Es buena época para salir de excursión, pues las nevadas tempranas coinciden con la explosión de color los bosques, un espectáculo que ilumina el valle con infinidad de tonalidades.

Show book

Fearless - Hilarious and...

Alison Monda

What happens when fear meets freedom? 
"Fearless" is a roller-coaster ride of near-death experiences and humorous exploits as Alison Monda backpacks the Pacific Crest Trail and Te Araroa, stares down grizzlies and sharks, engages in a sword fight at her wedding, and survives a cyclone in a skirt. 
This captivating memoir is your prescription for celebrating mistakes, pushing limits, and feeling comfortable in your own skin—because wearing someone else's will land you in prison, and Monda cares about her readers. 
Her vivid storytelling captures the essence of her adventures, making readers laugh and gasp in equal measure. 
Choosing not to live by other people’s expectations and fears, Monda masters her own in this inspirational journey. Written with self-deprecating humor so relatable, you might forget she’s dangling on the end of the bell curve for sane humans. 
This book is a captivating blend of comedy, adventure, and empowerment. It offers readers a fresh perspective on personal growth and resilience, making it a compelling read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh, a dose of inspiration, and the thrill of outdoor adventures. 
With every page, you'll laugh, reflect, and find the courage to face your own fears.

Show book

Lochs and Legends: A Scotsman's...

Andy the Highlander, Lilly Hurd

**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**
A Scotsman’s guide to the extraordinary tapestry of the land, history, folklore and stories of his homeland.
From the majestic beauty of the wild Scottish landscape to the hidden traces of its history waiting to be uncovered in every town and village, Andrew McAlindon is enthralled by the country he is lucky enough to call home. As one of Scotland’s busiest tour guides in real life and online, Andy travels around the country to ancient sites such as castles, cemeteries, burial chambers and prisons, celebrating the history, folklore, superstitions and the fascinating people that make Scotland so unique.
Lochs and Legends is Andy’s love letter to Scotland, a love that began when he landed a part on the worldwide phenomenon Outlander, and led to him dedicating his life to learning more about the true star of the show – Scotland. A social media sensation as Andy the Highlander, his first book opens up Scotland’s secrets to anyone, even if they can only explore it from the comfort of their armchair. It invites you to time travel with Andy, walking in the footsteps of kings and queens, lairds and ladies, murderers, farmers, poets, invading armies, and everyday folks like himself. It is Scotland as you’ve never seen it before.
Andy the Highlander, a popular figure in the realm of tour guides, invites you to explore the pre-historic sites of Scotland, a top destination in Britain. Discover the best of Europe's culture and history, as you delve into the legends and lochs of this extraordinary land.
For fans of Rick Steves (Rick Steves Snapshot Nice & the French Riviera), Sarah Brekenridge (What Not To Do), Neil Oliver (Amazing Tales for Making Men Out of Boys), Matt Haig (The Comfort Book), and Martin Dorey (Take the Slow Road).
HarperCollins 2024

Show book