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Chùa Một Cột in Thailand Reminds Me of the Familiar in an Unfamiliar Land

On my last full day in Khon Kaen, Thailand, I was on a mission to catch the sunset, although the cloudy and gloomy sky didn’t give me much hope. Instead, I randomly stumbled upon a gate with signs written in Vietnamese. Out of curiosity, I decided to walk in, and the farther I walked, the more clearly I spotted a familiar image from afar: a one-pillar pagoda standing right on the edge of the reservoir.

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Bạch Nam Hải’s Documentary Photo Series Captures Sapa's 7 Years of Transformation

From the town to the depths of the misty mountains of Sapa, Bạch Nam Hải embarked on a documentary photographic journey, capturing the essence of local life, the intimate connections between people and nature, and the contrast between the natural landscape and rapid urban development fueled by tourism expansion.

Chris Humphrey

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'Living Hanoi' Series by Joseph Gobin Delves Into the Capital's Eccentricities

Is there a photographic format more suitable for capturing Hanoi's abundantly complex and alluring culture than the crystalline clarity of medium format film?

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Insights, Polished History Lessons Await in Hanoi's Massive, Brutalist Military Museum

When I pitched a review of Hanoi’s massive new Vietnam Military History Museum to the Saigoneer editorial staff, I expected to find the museum somewhat boring. After all, although I am a historian, I am not really that interested in military stuff, and I’d been to the original location on Điện Biên Phủ Street several times — how could this new museum improve on the old one? What could this new museum say that the old one didn’t? What could I learn here that I haven’t already learned at Saigon’s War Remnants Museum and Hồ Chí Minh Campaign Museum, at Điện Biên Phủ’s war museum, at Hải Phòng’s naval museum, and at the countless other shrines to Vietnamese martial prowess across the country? Quite a lot, it turns out.

Paul Christiansen

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Ruminate on Our Natural Legacies While Surrounded by Cây Sao at Ao Bà Om

I never pass up an opportunity to reflect on chò nâu and its dipterocarp relative, cây sao. The massive trees that gracefu...

Paul Christiansen

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Art, Flowers Bloom at Huế’s Hidden Museum, Lebadang Memory Space

People often think that art is distant and difficult to appreciate, but a garden is different; everyone knows how to admire a flower.

Brian Letwin

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The Quiet Calm of Hiding From the Heat Under Phan Rang's Grapevines

The punishing mid-day sun dictates the pace of life in the corridor between Phan Rang and Cam Ranh, where locals escape to their living rooms or hammocks, and tourists seek the cooling breeze of the beach, seafood restaurants or resort pools. Perhaps one of the most underrated ways to take refuge from the heat is to duck into one of the nearby grape vineyards where winding vines create a natural oasis.

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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.

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Vinpearl Air, Slated for a Summer Launch, Is Suddenly Cancelled by Vingroup

The move comes as Vietnam's largest private company looks to focus on its technology and industry operations.

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Google Names Da Nang as 2020's Top Trending Travel Destination

The central coastal city experienced the biggest increase in travel searches, according to Google analytics.

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[Video] Travelogue Captures Quotidian Life in Northern and Central Vietnam

Oscillating between wide-angle scenes and the more close-up views of everyday people's interactions, the video is an ode to the country’s beauty.

Michael Tatarski

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Saigoneer Getaways: To a Saigoneer, Phnom Penh Is Same Same, But Different

Is it possible to even recognize everything that has changed after 10 years?

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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.

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VietJet Launches 3 New Routes From Da Nang to Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore

The new routes could be beneficial for Da Nang's tourism revenue.

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Vietnam's Direct US Flights Will Take at Least 2 Years to Happen, Official Says

A variety of logistics challenges and US regulations will keep Vietnamese carriers from launching direct routes to America for the foreseeable future.

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Bamboo Airways Is Vietnam's Most Punctual Airline in 2019 (So Far)

But do they play 'Hello Vietnam' on endless repeat while taxiing?

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Hoi An Inches Closer to 'Bicycle Town' Goal With New Pedestrian-Only Street

Another major street in Hoi An has been approved to become a walking plaza in the future.

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Vietnam's Latest Tourist Attraction Is a Glass Bridge and Elevator Near Sapa

At least it's not another cable car?

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After VietJet, Vietnam Airlines Launches Direct Flights From Saigon to Bali

The flagship carrier joins VietJet in offering direct flights from the southern metropolis to the Indonesian beach hotspot.

Chris Humphrey

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Is This Really the End of the Line for Hanoi’s ‘Train Street’?

Hanoi officials shut down the celebrated stretch of railway last weekend, citing safety concerns as the main reason.

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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.

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[Video] Saigon's Silly Little Moments as Seen Through a Tilt-Shift Video Feature

Tilt-shift videos probably aren't new to most readers, but this particular entry in the genre is noteworthy for its playful sound effects and the comical moments it captures.

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VietJet to Start Flying From Da Nang to Taipei in December

The low-cost carrier is currently operating eight routes connecting Saigon, Hanoi and Da Nang to four Taiwanese cities including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung.

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Bamboo Airways Receives Nod to Expand Fleet Despite Financial Loss

According to a report from the Ministry of Finance, at the end of April this year, Bamboo Airways recorded a loss of US$14.2 million.

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VNA to Provide In-Flight WiFi Service Later This Year

What a time to be alive.

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From August, Ha Long Will Ban Plastic Bottles, Bags on Tour Boats

In response to the beautiful bay's burgeoning rubbish problem, plastic will no longer be used on sightseeing vessels.

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Sun, Sand and Scary Beasts on Malaysia's Perhentian Islands

Southern Vietnam's rainy season coincides nicely with the dry season on Malaysia’s east coast, home to the Perhentian Islands, nestled in the East Sea.