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.
Struggling With Trash From Tourists, Con Dao Decides to Charge Entrance Fee
Con Dao District is currently dealing with 70,000 tons of garbage.
VietJet Will Start Daily Flights From Saigon to Tokyo in July
VietJet currently operates 39 domestic routes and 69 international routes.
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.
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.
