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Paul Christiansen

in Vietnam

How to Spot a Traveling Vietnamese at the Airport? Boxes With Sharpied Names.

“If you know, you know.”

Chris Humphrey

in Travel

The Majesty of Crossing Myanmar on Colonial-Era Trains

Whether on the slow train carving its way through the Shan Hills near Kalaw, the Mandalay to Yangon Express, or the 4am train to Hsipaw that crosses the great Goteik Viaduct, traversing Myanmar on gri...

in Travel

Hội An's Plan to Charge Entrance Fees From Next Month Faces Backlash

Hội An’s upcoming plan to enforce its admission rules for Vietnamese tourists has inspired negative reactions from the general public.

in Vietnam

Saigon, Hanoi (Almost) Bottom out World Ranking of Public Bathroom Coverage

Vietnam’s bountiful abundance of street eats and hip cafes might satisfy even the pickiest visitors looking to ingest delicious things at any price range, but even its biggest metropolises would strug...

in Vietnam

In 2022, Vietnam's Domestic Tourism Flourished, but International Arrivals Lagged Behind

The most recent Tết holiday witnessed an outstanding performance by Vietnam’s domestic tourism sector, while international tourism had a year of underwhelming figures.

in Travel

What to See in a Landlocked Country? How a Detour to Laos Made My Heart Feel Full.

Editor's note: This essay by Alex Tran won 1st place in the Editor's Choice category of Saigoneer's first-ever essay writing competition, "2 Years of Memories," in collaboration with Urbanist Travel. ...

in Architecture

Award-Winning Open Home in Hanoi Invites Generational Connections

CH House, a multi-generational abode that fosters harmonious family connectivity amidst Hanoi's discordant din, recently won the Dedalo Minosse International Prize for clients commissioning a house in...

in Hanoi

Hanoi Starts Revoking Operating Licenses of Cafes on 'Train Street' This Week

Hanoi is shutting down its infamous "Train Street" starting this weekend.

in Travel

Vietnam Halts Covid-19 Test Requirement for International Travelers From May 15

Were those nose swabs all a dream?

in Vietnam

Vietnam Removes Health Declaration Requirement for Domestic, International Travelers

Citing Vietnam's continued success in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health announced domestic travelers will no longer need to make health declarations and restrictions will be ea...

in Vietnam

Beauty Behemoth Sephora Enters Vietnamese Market With Digital Store

Sephora, the wide-reaching consumer goods retailer, has launched an e-commerce portal for Vietnamese customers, but has revealed no plans for physical stores in Vietnam.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Reopens to International Tourists With No Quarantine Requirement

Bring on the elephant pants.

in Health

Health Ministry Proposes International Entry Without Vaccination Proof

Vietnam is expected to resume international tourism tomorrow.

in Vietnam

Vietnam to Remove Limits on International Flight Frequency Tomorrow

Another step toward some kind of normal.

in Vietnam

Vietnam to Cut Quarantine for Vaccinated Passengers to 3 Days From Jan 1

Promising changes are on the horizon for those wishing to return to Vietnam.

in Travel

Khanh Hoa Official Proposes Visa Exemptions for Foreign Tourists

Officials are looking for ways to boost tourism as Vietnam slowly begins to re-open.

in Travel

5 Localities Aim to Welcome Vaccinated Foreign Tourists From Next Month

Tourism destinations in Vietnam are eager to restart their economies after it appears that the current outbreak is subsiding.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Pushes for Mutual Recognition of 'Vaccine Passports' With Some Nations

Vaccine passports may soon become part of a “new normal” as more Vietnamese are getting their two shots.

in Music & Arts

To Celebrate the Olympics, Japanese Artists Reimagine National Flags as Anime Fighters

As nations gather in Tokyo for the summer Olympics, a group of Japanese artists have shown their support by creating anime characters based on the participating countries' flags.

in Travel

Bamboo Airways Will Start Daily Flights to the US This September

Starting in September, the upstart airline will offer non-stop services from Saigon to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Netizens Call for H&M Boycott Over 'Problematic Map' of China

A fervent wave of boycott calls directed at Swedish fast-fashion brand Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has swept social media circles in Vietnam in recent days.

in Vietnam

VNA Resumes Flights to Sydney, Seoul and Tokyo, Though With Heavy Restrictions

Flights to and from Australia and several Asian nations will begin this weekend, followed (potentially) by the UK in May.

in Development

Construction of Long Thanh Airport Commences This Week

The massive project in Dong Nai Province will relieve pressure on Tan Son Nhat once completed.

in Travel

In 2020, Vietnam Only Welcomed 21% of Last Year's Tourist Arrivals

Unsurprisingly, it's been a rough year for the international tourism industry.

in Asia

Thailand Reopens for Tourists From 56 Countries, Albeit With Compulsory Quarantine

It is not confirmed yet whether Vietnam is part of the list of countries eligible for the scheme.

in Development

Plan for 5 New Rail Lines Linking Saigon to Southern Provinces Approved

Go big or go home.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Airlines Denies Bankruptcy Rumors Amid Huge Losses

Vietnam's national flag carrier, like the majority of airlines around the world, continues to face immense financial difficulties due to the pandemic.

in Asia

Singapore to Lift Restrictions on Travelers From Australia, Vietnam Next Week

Starting October 8, the nation will lift arrival restrictions in light of the two country's successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

in Vietnam

Covid-19 Could Cost Da Nang Tourism $1.1bn This Year

Life in Da Nang is slowly returning to normal after the third wave of COVID-19 infections, though economic ramifications will remain.

in Travel

Vietnam Resumes Limited Flights to Japan, but Not Vice Versa

After service between Hanoi and Tokyo begins on September 18, flights to and from South Korea, China, Taiwan, Laos and Cambodia are expected to follow.

in Saigon

Saigon to Apply for UNESCO World Heritage Status for Cu Chi Tunnels

The Ministry of Defense, which manages the area, needs to approve the plan first.

in Vietnam

Experts Visiting Vietnam for Under 14 Days No Longer Need to Quarantine

They will have to follow health and safety guidelines while in the country.

in Vietnam

Foreign Students With Online-Only Courses May Need to Leave the US, ICE Says

A notice from the US' Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency announced that if a university shifts to online-only education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, non-citizen students would n...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Unlikely to Resume International Flights in July, Experts Say

Bad, but unsurprising, news for anyone abroad hoping to visit Vietnam in the next few months.

in Vietnam

Vietnam in Negotiations to Resume Flights With Japan, South Korea, China

The news comes amid ongoing speculation regarding the resumption of inbound commercial international flights.

in Travel

Japan Might Reopen for Vietnamese Visitors With Negative Covid-19 Tests

Vietnam's successful containment of the coronavirus outbreak may mean its people will be able to travel abroad sooner, rather than later.

in Vietnam

Vietnam to Extend Stay for Foreigners Stuck Due to Flight Ban Until June 30

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign nationals who arrived before March 1 will have their residence permits extended until June 30 if they can prove they are unable to return to their home co...

in Travel

Hue's Infamous Abandoned Water Park Might Get a Makeover Soon

After years in limbo, Hue is making plans to transform the derelict Ho Thuy Tien Amusement Park into a more useful site.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Airlines to Suspend All International Flight Routes Until April 30

Due to the worrying escalation of the Covid-19 pandemic, many airlines have stopped certain flight routes connecting Vietnam to coronavirus-infected regions.

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: Vietnam's Unheralded Women & the Creators of Melon Bê Đê

Our latest episode is out now!

in Vietnam

Japanese Retailer Aeon to Invest $2bn to Build 25 Malls in Vietnam

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met Aeon General Director Iwamura Yasutsugu and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio on February 28 to discuss Aeon’s future in Vietnam.

in Travel

Vietnam Launches Campaigns to Revitalize Tourism Industry Hit by Coronavirus

The campaigns are the effort to compensate for the losses in tourism revenue due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

in Saigon

Tourist Bookings in Saigon Drop by 50% Post-Tet Due to Covid-19

Since the Tet holiday, tourism has fallen by 50% compared to the same period last year because of fears related to the coronavirus. 

in Vietnam

Vietnam Opens First Overseas Tourism Promotion Office in London

The unimaginatively named "The Visit Vietnam" office launched in London on February 18.

in Travel

Almost 2m Foreign Tourists Visited Vietnam in January, a Record Number

Vietnam's tourism industry saw unprecedented growth in international arrivals last month, though the timing of this success — right in the middle of a coronavirus outbreak — is unfortunate.

in Film & TV

Netflix Star Comic Iliza Shlesinger to Perform in Saigon, Hanoi This Month

American stand-up comedian Iliza Shlesinger gained popularity after she became the first woman and the youngest comedian to win NBC’s talent competition Last Comic Standing.

in Saigon

HCMC to Launch Open-Top Sightseeing Bus Service for Tourists

From January 15, these buses will start operating in Districts 1 and 3.

in Travel

Vietnam Welcomes 18m Foreign Tourists in 2019, an All-Time Record

According to the General Statistics Office, in December 2019, the country welcomed 1.7 million tourists from other countries.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Extends 15-Day Visa Exemption for 8 Countries Until 2022

The government recently made changes to a visa exemption program.

in Vietnam

Famous US Retailer Ace Hardware Launches First Vietnam Store in Saigon

Ace Hardware opens its first-ever store in Vietnam on November 22.

in Vietnam

New Policy to Allow Foreigners to Change Visa Status Without Leaving Vietnam

The new law will take effect from July 2020.

in Travel

Illegal Hotel on Ma Pi Leng Pass Becomes Center of Controversy

Located in Ha Giang Province, Ma Pi Leng Pass is known for its breathtaking views of natural beauty.

in Health

With Steady Increase in Healthcare Seekers, Saigon Embraces Medical Tourism

The number of international visitors who travel to Vietnam for medical services is on the rise.

in Saigon

Saigon Welcomes 6.2m International Tourists in First 9 Months of 2019

Compared to the same period last year, the city saw a 14.3% increase in international visitors.