All by Myself in Sapa: How I Learnt That Traveling Alone Doesn't Have to Be Lonely
One item on my “bucket list” is a journey to discover an exciting new land on a solo trip. It’s not a simple aspiration so I didn’t think that I would get a chance to accomplish it any time soon, but right on my 19th birthday, Châu, my “big boss” and mentor at Urbanist Travel, surprised me with an unforgettable vacation to Sapa.
Brise-Soleil, Đá Rửa, and Other Modernist Curios to Befriend on a Walk Across Saigon
My non-existent architectural background leaves me unable to do anything beyond expressing a distaste for tacky constructions and a vague idea of what constitutes a well-designed building. I can speak on the tasteful placement of a brise-soleil with as much confidence as a nervous five-year-old cooking beef wellington for an unhinged Gordon Ramsay. I hadn’t even heard of Vietnam’s modernist architecture movement until a few weeks ago, but when I was given the opportunity to take part in Urbanist Travel’s modernist architecture tour, I was intrigued to learn more about the stories behind the remnants of history I drive past in Saigon on a daily basis.
Introducing the '2 Years of Memories' Travel Writing Competition
To celebrate the 2 nd anniversary of Urbanist Travel , we are excited to invite you to participate in Saigoneer ’s first-ever ...
Meet Urbanist Travel, Saigoneer's Sister Company Bringing the World Closer to Vietnam
Loyal readers might know Saigoneer as a home where all things fascinating, whimsical and insightful about Vietnam are celebrated, but not many are aware that for the past years, we have been a tiny bit more than just writers. Two years ago, we officially welcomed our sister company Urbanist Travel into the family.
The Punishing, Breathtaking, and Fulfilling 14 Days in Nepal to Reach Everest Base Camp
Our trek to Everest Base Camp from Lukla begins on the first days of summer. Just two weeks into May, throngs of mountain climbers have already congregated here, despite the bitter cold, striving to conquer Earth’s highest base camp.
Vọng Cảnh, the Picturesque Hill in Huế That Even Emperors Cherished
The poetic Hương River flows calmly, the fresh air and breeze whisper through the lush pine forest, a coming sunset colors the peaceful natural spectacle. All of this can be experienced during a late-afternoon visit to Huế's Vọng Cảnh Hill.
New App ConstructionBnB Helps You Explore Vietnam's Beautiful Construction Sites
If you live in Vietnam, chances are you live next to a construction site: hotels, condos, shopping centers, etc. But why see the same old site every day when there are so many different ones out there to experience?
The Charm of Hòn Yến, Where Coral-Watching Doesn't Involve Diving
Every year, from May to August, when the water reaches its lowest levels at Hòn Yến, a “jungle” of vibrant coral reefs and other marine creatures rises to the surface.
After Trump-Kim Summit, North Korea Tours Are Trending Among Vietnamese Tourists
In the past, tours to North Korea were often avoided due to high costs, political conflict, and a lengthy, strict visa procedure.
Khoi Pham in Travel
[Photos] On Photographing the Gentle Romance of a Hueless Hue
Any mention of Hue or Hoi An within a conversation about central Vietnam tends to conjure up images of intensely vibrant colors: crimson paper lanterns dotting the sky; neighborhoods filled with the d...
With New Flight Routes, Can Tho Hopes to Revitalize Underused Airport
The international airport, which is currently operating below 30% capacity, will hopefully see a boost in passengers thanks to six new routes being added to service the city.
Chris Humphrey in Travel
[Photos] The Poetry of Everyday Life in Vietnam's Coastal Towns
Traveling south through central Vietnam by train can bring you to the familiar or the obscure: the Disney-fication of Hoi An, the peaceful bays of Quy Nhon, or the thrill of derelict spaces in Hue.
Vietnam Expands E-Visa Pilot Program to 35 More Countries, Territories
A pilot program granting tourists 30-day electronic visas has been expanded to include 35 additional nations and territories.
Travel Agency Vietravel Wants to Launch Vietnam's 6th Airline
Is Vietnam’s air travel market big enough to accommodate another air carrier?
Chris Humphrey in Travel
[Photos] Ha Giang: Evocative Portraits From Hoang Su Phi
Nestled amid the textured, corduroy rice terraces of Ha Giang Province lies Hoang Su Phi, a rural district that’s home to an array of ethnic minority communities.
Michael Tatarski in Travel
[Photos] Saigoneer Getaways: Dak Lak and an Abundance of Central Highlands Charm
For many, Tet is a time to reunite with family they haven't seen in months. For those like me without relatives in Vietnam, it's the perfect time to take a break from increasingly stressful city life....
[Video] The Hyperlapse of Saigon That Took 2 Years and Over 200,000 Photos to Make
Living in Saigon can feel like being spun in a centrifuge: swirled amongst an overwhelming amount of sights, sounds, smells and experiences at dizzying speeds.
Chris Humphrey in Travel
[Photos] Exploring the Myriad Cathedrals of Nam Dinh Province
Though they receive more attention, the cathedrals of Hanoi and Saigon pale in comparison to those found in Nam Dinh Province. What’s more, the area not only boasts a surprising array of these magnifi...
[Video] Vietnam's Hectic Energy Set to a Funky Soundtrack
Vietnam is a country that’s always on the move.
How Hemingway Inspired a Cyclist to Scale the Heights of Northern Vietnam
Former Saigon resident Dale Nottingham has conquered Vietnam’s extreme northern highlands by bicycle, climbing 22,587 meters over 1,306 kilometers during an epic 12-day ride that started in Bac Kan Pr...
First Flight of Bamboo Airways Is Once Again Delayed to Next January
Despite being scheduled for a December 29 takeoff, Vietnam's newest airline Bamboo Airways won't leave the tarmac until mid-January.
Vietjet Air Launches Direct Flight Route From Saigon to Osaka
The budget carrier also launched a Hanoi-Osaka route back in November of this year.
Saigoneer Getaways: Off the Beaten Path in Hong Kong's Old-School Side
There was once a time when Saigon and Hong Kong were rivals in the exotic east, both jostling for the cultural title of “Pearl of the Orient”. With British colonialism on one side and French on the ot...
[Photos] Pseudo-Suicide and Evil Spirits at Bali’s Usaba Manggung Celebration
Each year in Bali’s Bugbug Village, Hindus gather to take part in a three-day celebration that includes splashing holy water, atavistic wailing and role-play suicide to ward off evil spirits. &nb...
Mui Ne's Suoi Tien Damaged by Tourist Activities, Illegal Construction
Suoi Tien, a famous natural tourist site in Mui Ne, is losing its appeal due to overcrowding and unauthorized construction work.
Chris Humphrey in Travel
[Photos] Reaping the Rice Harvest in Mu Cang Chai
Each September, the rice fields of Mu Cang Chai turn ripe and as gold as coins, and then the back-breaking work begins.
[Video] A Tilt-Shift Travelogue Showcases Stalinist Architecture, Everyday Nationalism in Pyongyang
Isolated from the rest of the world since 1953, North Korea has since been the center of much curiosity, myths and sensationalist headlines that leave more space for reductionism rather than nuan...
After Month-Long Delay, Vietnam Officially Allows Bamboo Airways to Take Off
Bamboo Airways will become the fifth carrier to hold a Vietnamese aviation license along with Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet Air and VASCO.
