Stopover in Taipei on the Way to Vietnam

On a bright weekend, we set out to rediscover Hong Kong, the mythical gateway to the East—relaxed, opulent, spicy, and sensual.

We walked both familiar and lesser-known paths, tried renowned hotels and new restaurants. We were surprised by the bay and captivated by the helicopter ride. Days lived intensely between glamour and nature, reality and fantasy, unspeakable riches and austere minimalism. Days like a movie, in a unique, distant, and fascinating land.

The flight from Hong Kong to Taipei is short, but the leap is vast.

Another China, another culture, another world. Always marked by feverish activity, chasing markets and trends, technologies and customs. The pink orchid of China Airlines is prominently displayed throughout the plane. I arrive in Taipei at dawn, with morning mist still enveloping the countryside. It’s just a stopover for me, on the way to Vietnam. While waiting for my luggage, the rustle of skirts and the rhythmic tapping of heels jolts me from the grogginess of the early start. It’s the flight attendants from my plane. They are elegant, their legs not exactly long but well-proportioned, their jet-black hair tied in a chignon at the nape, walking with the grace of those who know they are admired.

Taipei reveals a futuristic China.

Technological, cultured, productive, yet firmly rooted in tradition. There’s a strong sense of ambition, and Taipei 101 is the best example of it. Exploring the city without a GPS isn’t easy; it’s better to rely on a tour operator.