Three-Day Date in Vancouver

With a population of over 603,000 people from all over the world, this coastal city in British Columbia is also known as a multicultural city with a rich and diverse culture. The best time to visit Vancouver is from March to June, when spring arrives in North America. During this season, the city is like a colorful painting, with the lush green of the trees, the pink of the cherry blossoms, the golden yellow of the sun, and the deep blue of the sea.

"Fly with Canada"

I arrived in Vancouver on a pleasant day; although sunny, it was still quite chilly. However, the cold at this time of year wasn't too harsh. Three layers of clothing and a thin scarf were enough for me to begin my journey. From YVR airport, I took the subway to the famous Water Front station, stepped onto the surface, and walked about 200 meters to find the harbor and Canada Place. I still remember how speechless I was when I saw the scene. The blue of the sky blended with the deep blue of the water,加上 the white sails and a touch of golden sunlight made the place seem incredibly peaceful and tranquil.

From Canada Place, the central plaza, I took a scenic boat ride around the harbor on a small boat called the Sea Bus, which departs every 15 minutes. The beautiful and picturesque harbor is one of the things that the coastal city of Vancouver is proud of. Before coming to Canada, I had heard about the "Fly Over Canada" show, an experience of flying through the Canadian sky with incredibly realistic 5D images, and which Tripadvisor once voted as one of the must-try experiences for tourists visiting Vancouver.

I got to watch a 5D film showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Canada from the perspective of an airplane passenger. To participate, passengers needed a boarding pass, fastened their seatbelts, and took off as if on a real plane. Through the white clouds, Canada unfolded before my eyes, full of surprise and wonder. I saw myself flying over snow-capped mountain ranges with tiny droplets of water caressing my face, and over herds of horses running across fields, their sweet scent of wildflowers filling the air. Then I glided over tranquil rivers and steep, treacherous waterfalls. I was impressed by the grandeur of nature and the realistic beauty seen from a unique perspective – from an airplane – like watching a drone film. This is definitely an unforgettable experience.

Capilano, the longest suspension bridge in North America.

When talking about Vancouver, one must mention the world's longest and highest suspension bridge, built in 1889: the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Standing on the 137-meter-long, 70-meter-high suspension bridge, gazing out at the lush green trees and the cascading waterfalls from its precarious height, I felt as if I were lost in a tropical rainforest. Initially hesitant to walk due to my fear of heights, my fear transformed into excitement upon witnessing the breathtaking view from the bridge. I loved the feeling of being completely immersed in nature, relaxing under the verdant foliage, beside centuries-old trees and the cool, clear water.

Exploring Capilano, I was particularly impressed by the colorful wooden totem poles in the forest. Later, when I showed the photos I had taken to the locals, I learned that these were wooden totem poles carved in the 1930s by the indigenous people of the area. These totem poles are considered cultural symbols of the Canadian indigenous people living on the Pacific West Coast. This is also why the area is known as the land with the most totems in the world. This is one of the common sights not only in Capilano but throughout Canada. Totem poles represent the craftsmanship, aesthetics, identity, national pride, worldview, and faith of the Canadian people of the past.

Stanley Park

After admiring Vancouver from above and swaying on the suspension bridge, I continued my exploration of Stanley Park – one of the largest urban parks in North America and ranked among the top 25 most beautiful parks in the world (covering approximately 1,001 hectares). I arrived at dusk and strolled under the broad, shady trees along the 23km walking path. Vancouver, as always, captivated me with its peacefulness and pristine beauty.

The Vancouver Aquarium is a truly amazing world you absolutely must visit whenever you're in Stanley Park. The aquarium houses 70,000 animals of all sizes, including beluga whales, sea sharks, giant Amazonian fish, otters, and sea lions… I observed thousands of marine animals from all over the world through large underwater windows or from high observation decks. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to learn about underwater creatures.

My exploration of Vancouver concluded after three days. Of course, that's not much time for someone as eager to travel and explore as I am. But I know that "we"—Vancouver and I—had spent a beautiful and memorable time together. And for me, that's enough for a romantic date across half the globe.

Additional information:

Best time to visit Vancouver is from March to June, with temperatures ranging from 13-19 degrees Celsius. However, you should still bring a warm jacket to protect yourself from the unpredictable weather changes during this season.

+ Journey: From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you can fly to Vancouver with airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, or Eva Air… However, the flight to Vancouver is long, so you will have to transit through several legs. A suggestion to save time is to fly with Korean Air; you only need to transit once in South Korea and then fly directly to Vancouver.

+ Getting around Vancouver:

- To get to Canada Place, take the Skytrain from YVR Airport to Water Front station, then walk to the surface to find Canada Place. Here, you can buy tickets directly to experience "FlyOver Canada" or book tickets online. For more information, visit: www.flyovercanada.com.

- There is a free shuttle bus from Canada Place to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Getting to Stanley Park is very flexible; you can walk, bike, or use public transportation.

+ Cuisine: Vancouver is known as a multi-ethnic city with a diverse culture, so its cuisine is very rich. You can enjoy the famous lobster, a signature dish of this coastal city. In addition, you can also enjoy Asian dishes, especially Chinese food, in Chinatown at reasonable prices.

+ Souvenirs: Since Canada is the land of maple leaves, typical gifts to give to family and friends after your trip are products made from maple leaves. Maple syrup, or cookies and candies made from maple leaves, are especially popular souvenirs. In addition, Canada is also famous for its ice wine, which is highly regarded and suitable as a gift.

+ Exchange rate: 1 Canadian dollar is equivalent to 16,000 VND.

Text and photos: Thai Hang

The Thanh