Emotional Connection is the Key to Luxury Travel at Banyan Tree Lăng Cô
What does luxury travel mean? The center of countless hospitality conference panels, LinkedIn posts, and marketing pitch decks, this question will elicit different answers depending on who is asked. Exclusivity, indulgent comforts, unique experiences, and dedicated service surely play a part, but a visit to Banyan Tree Lăng Cô, recent recipient of Two Michelin Keys, reveals that no matter one’s definition, true luxury travel requires an emotional connection.
An Ode to Vũng Tàu, Saigon's Unwavering Summer Crush
I recently took a trip to Vũng Tàu after a long summer of cultural research, which had me traveling up and down Vietnam. It had been seven years since I’d been back to the homeland, and 19 since I’d last seen the beaches of Vũng Tàu, when I was only 16. It felt like returning to a high school crush, and it made me think of the words of Trần Thiện Thanh, who once wrote, “Nhớ lúc xa xưa mười sáu trăng tròn…” I won’t say I wasn’t looking for something familiar, poetic, and possibly even as sappy.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
In Hội An’s Pottery Museum, Mini Clay Landmarks Hold Unexpected Memories
When preparing to visit Hội An’s Thanh Hà Pottery Museum, I didn’t anticipate an opportunity to reminisce. I hadn’t been to the museum dedicated to the region’s pottery traditions before, so how could it illicit fond memories?
Kit Humphrey in Travel
The Poetry of Everyday Life in Central Vietnam's Coastal Towns
Traveling south through central Vietnam by train can bring you to the familiar or the obscure: the Disney-fication of Hội An, the peaceful bays of Quy Nhơn, or the thrill of derelict spaces in Huế.
A Tribute to the Incredibly Eye-Catching, Organic Signage of Sa Đéc
Signs are like voices.
Linh Phạm in Travel
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.
Tuyết Nhi in Travel
Visit a 160-Year-Old Chapel Inside Saigon's Historic St. Joseph's Seminary
Hidden within the compound of the Saigon St. Joseph’s Seminary is a historic chapel that has withstood the test of time.
Tà Năng, One of Vietnam’s Most Beautiful Trails and Best-Kept Secrets
Whether we choose to participate or not, most of us are fascinated by Vietnam’s motorbike culture.
Saigon-Hanoi Ranks 7th Among World’s Busiest Air Routes
Vietnam’s recent domestic travel boom has made the route between Saigon and Hanoi one of the world's busiest.
Riding the Rails in Yangon and Beyond
“Hmmm…very interesting,” our new Myanmar friend muttered to herself, eyebrows arched, as she reached out to stroke Matt’s hirsute American arm.
[Video] An Intimate Look at Vietnam's Lush Landscapes and Vibrant People
When it comes to travel videos about Vietnam, there are generally two styles: the usual fast-paced time-lapse sequences that shine the limelight on local cities’ myriad colors and bustling nightscapes...
Vietnam’s International Tourist Arrivals to Hit 10m by End of Year
Before the year is out, Vietnam is on track to welcome its 10 millionth international visitor, a landmark achievement for the country’s tourism industry.
Hanoi to Spend $2m on Promotional Materials With CNN
Hanoi city officials have inked a two-year, US$2 million deal with American news channel CNN to air promotional tourism material in the hope of attracting foreign visitors and boosting the capital’s i...
Thailand to Cut Visa Fees for Tourists From 19 Countries
Thailand has decided to waive visa fees for some countries and halve visa-on-arrival costs for tourists from other nations as part of a three-month tourism promotion running from December 1, 2016 to F...
Ly Son Island Breaks Ground on $8.8m Port
Last week, local authorities in Ly Son District, Quang Ngai province broke ground on the island’s new port.
[Video] Hong Kong’s Frenetic Energy in 4 Minutes
Documenting the scenery of a city is pretty straightforward: you find a nice view, aim your camera and shoot. But capturing the energy of a city on film is often easier said than done.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Travel
Earn a Free Stay in Da Lat by Planting a Tree
In Da Lat, the cozy Nha Gio Countryside guesthouse opens its doors to travelers who are willing to plant a tree as payment for a night’s stay.
Indonesia's Lion Air to Launch New Airline in Vietnam
Indonesia’s largest airline, Lion Air, recently unveiled its plan to establish a joint venture airline in Vietnam.
Saigon-Vung Tau Hydrofoil Service to End in December
By the end of this year, Saigoneers will no longer be able to take a hydrofoil to Vung Tau.
[Photos] A Glimpse Into Mongolia's Tough Way of Life
Despite Mongolia’s -15oC winters, an intrepid photographer has waded through thick layers of snowfall and braved local hostility to capture life in the mysterious East Asian nation.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Travel
Vietnam Launches New National Tourism Website
On Tuesday, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) launched its new and improved tourism website in an effort to boost the quality of the country’s tourism information and services.
[Video] Saigon Slows Down In New 4K Travel Video
Through the lens of digital artist Lorenz Hideyoshi, Saigon appears serene even in the midst of a hectic day.
TSN’s International Terminal Adds Free Napping, Play Areas
Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport continues to step up its amenity game as the airport has recently added a sleep zone and a children’s play place to its offerings.
Thai Lion Air Opens Low-Cost Bangkok-Saigon Route
Saigoneers will soon have another option for flights to Bangkok, as Thai Lion Air is set to offer daily flights between the two cities.
[Photos] Travel Vietnam With These Cheeky Nón Lá
Nón lá have become the star of the show for an upcoming sea voyage organized by the Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP), all thanks to a band of whimsical young Vietnamese.
Phu Quoc Grapples With Fresh Water Shortage as Tourism Grows
Currently welcoming a staggering 1 million visitors a year, Phu Quoc is having a bittersweet moment. On the one hand, this figure marks an important milestone in the island’s tourism development; on t...
Hanoi Tourism Union Proposes Controversial 'Formosa Tour' in Central Vietnam
Feeling inspired by the mass fish death that took place last April in central Vietnam, a Hanoi tourism union recently unveiled its latest travel package, which will take prospective tourists through a...
[Photos] Meet the Indonesian Community Where Women Run the Show
For this series of colorful snapshots, Indonesian blogger and travel writer Rathina Sankari ventured into a unique ethnic enclave located in the highlands of Indonesia's West Sumatra, home to the Mina...
