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On a Walking Tour, Mulling Over the Glorious Past and Odious Present of Tô Lịch River

We began our journey in front of a bank where the street Trần Nhật Duật turned into Chợ Gạo.

Paul Christiansen

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How a Film Turned a Historic H'Mông Homestead in Hà Giang Into a Tourist Attraction

The photos don’t do it justice. That’s what you’ll often hear from people who visit Hà Giang to cruise its famed highway loop.

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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. We felt that the author went beyond just chronicling the play-by-play events of a trip, and gave the portrayal of Bolaven Plateau characters, genuine interactions, spirits, and most importantly, poignant human connections.

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Đà Lạt to Debut Double-Decker Bus Tours by End of 2022

Following in the wake of popular open-bus tours in some of Vietnam's other metropolises, Đà Lạt will begin the service by the end of the year as part of a pilot program. 

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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.

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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.

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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 ...

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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.

Back Travel

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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...

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Struggling With Trash From Tourists, Con Dao Decides to Charge Entrance Fee

Con Dao District is currently dealing with 70,000 tons of garbage.

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VietJet Will Start Daily Flights From Saigon to Tokyo in July

VietJet currently operates 39 domestic routes and 69 international routes.

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Taiwan to Reinstate Special Visa for Vietnamese Tourists, Albeit With Stricter Rules

Beginning March 20, Vietnamese will again be able to travel to Taiwan under the Kuan Hung, or Quan Hồng in Vietnamese, visa.

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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

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[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...

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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

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[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.

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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.

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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

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[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

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[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....

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[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

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[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...

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[Video] Vietnam's Hectic Energy Set to a Funky Soundtrack

Vietnam is a country that’s always on the move.

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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...

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[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...

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