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.
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 in Travel
'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?
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 in Travel
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 in Travel
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.
Live Music, Sports, Art and Activities Fill District VUI with Summer Fun
Vietnam’s south-central coast is blessed with warm sunshine, cool waves, and relaxed vibes all year round, creating a perpetual vacation atmosphere. With school breaks and summer holidays, there is no better time to explore the tropical regions at the nexus of forest and sea.
Brian Letwin in Travel
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.
Over 77% of Foreign Tourists in Vietnam Are From Asia, Statistics Office Says
Tourists from the Americas make up the second-largest group of foreign arrivals in Vietnam.
[Photos] From Rain-Soaked Nightscapes to a Serene Hanoian Dawn
Hanoi is known for its frenetic traffic and streets, which during my initial years in the capital led me to dream of escape.
Vingroup Establishes New Airline Vinpearl Air, Aviation Training Centers
The Vietnamese conglomerate continues its relentless expansion.
Vietnam Airlines Increases Carry-On Weight Limit From 7kg to 12kg
The national airline has increased the carry-on luggage weight limit from seven to 12 kilograms for economy tickets.
VietJet Announces New Direct Flights From Saigon, Da Nang to Tokyo
Direct routes will connect Tokyo with Da Nang and Saigon.
Chris Humphrey in Travel
[Photos] Capturing the Unexpected Amid Vietnam’s Mountainous Landscapes
The Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, a smiling lady in a conical hat: human nature practically guarantees that even the most iconic image will eventually turn stale through proliferation. These depictions...
[Photos] Tractors and Cabbages: A Different Da Lat Away From Urban Chaos
Not looking for a fancy destination, I sought out Da Lat for a different perspective that’s comfier, simpler and quieter.
National Assembly Member Suggests Imposing Departure Tax on Citizens, Tourists
The implementation of a departure tax, an elector of the National Assembly argued, could bring in additional revenue to improve Vietnam’s tourism infrastructure.
Michael Tatarski in Travel
[Photos] The Island in Hong Kong That's Completely Free of Traffic
Hong Kong is famed for its incredible population density and vertiginous skyline, where streets are hemmed in by concrete canyons of towering high-rises.
[Video] A Serene Glance of Ninh Binh
Towering karst formations, light seeping in through the watery entrance to a cave, bananas sold out of shoulder-slung bamboo baskets by an old lady: clichés about Vietnam exist for a reason, and it ca...
Vietnam's Homestay Boom Brings About Both Promise and Perils
As tourism booms, people across the nation are transforming their homes into rentable accommodation, a potentially lucrative but also risky endeavor.
[Video] From Ha Long to Hanoi in Search of a Street Food Feast
Hungry in Hanoi documents an experience many of us know first-hand: the satisfaction of a day out exploring followed by a celebratory street food feast.
Quang Binh Homestay Owners Struggle in Price War Against Major Hotels
Price reduction by companies with deep pockets disproportionately harms homestay proprietors, who used to be farmers living near Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park.
[Photos] Playing Beneath Galvanic Skies in an Isolated Laos Village
I left Nong Khiaw and began a demanding drive down a dirt track, trying to find a village I’d only seen on satellite images on Google Maps. It lay nestled right on top of a distant peak.
Hue's Tu Duc Tomb Is Now Preserved Digitally in Google Arts and Culture
Open Heritage 3D aims to provide open access to digital preservation data of heritage sites around the world.
VietJet to Start Flying to From Saigon to Bali This May
Indonesia's most popular beach destination just got one stop closer for Saigon residents.
Iconic Da Lat College Closes Doors to Tourists Indefinitely
A well-traveled tourist attraction in Da Lat recently closed its doors to visitors due to insufficient resources.
[Photos] Born in California, a Vietnamese-American Returns to Traverse Vietnam
My parents are originally from Vietnam and came to the United States as refugees after the war. I was born in Orange County, California, where many Vietnamese people who came to America made their new...
Hanoi–Saigon Becomes World's 6th-Busiest Flight Route
The Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City route moved No. 6 in the study of world’s busiest air routes in 2018, reported by British aviation analysis company OAG.
Born in California, a Vietnamese-American Returned to Vietnam. This Is What She Saw.
My parents are originally from Vietnam and came to the United States as refugees after the war. I was born in Orange County, California, where many Vietnamese people who came to America made their new...
