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.

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.

Paul Christiansen

in Travel

The Curious Case of Quy Hoà Leprosy Colony's Park of Busts

A delightfully bizarre place, Quy Nhơn’s Quy Hoà leprosy colony deserves exploration in full , but clustered in a grove of...

in Saigoneer Getaways

On Japan’s Shonan Coastline, a Wintry Vista of Mount Fuji

It was my first trip to Zushi Beach and the sun was beginning to set. 

in Saigoneer Getaways

Finding Solace in the Placid Water of Trị An Lake as a City Dweller

I took a deep breath, realizing that I was suspended in the midpoint of everything, above the calm, glassy surface of Trị An Lake and beneath the vast, enveloping azure sky that blanketed Mã Đà forest.

in Travel

In Gò Vấp, a 'Floating Temple' Stands the Test of Time and River Currents

On an isle amid the Vàm Thuật river in Gò Vấp District, Phù Châu Temple, colloquially known among locals as the “floating temple,” has welcomed religious practitioners looking for a serene quarter in fast-paced Hồ Chí Minh City for over three centuries.

Back Travel

in Travel

[Photos] Sapa Is Currently Covered in Ice

While the sun seems intent upon scorching every surface in Saigon, it's winter elsewhere in Vietnam. Up north, people are pulling out their heavy coats and staving off the December chill with scarves,...

in Travel

Vietnam Approves Proposal for 1-Year Visas for American Citizens

After months of discussion and foot-dragging, the Vietnamese government has finally approved a proposal to extend the validity of temporary visas for Americans from three months to one year.

in Travel

Nha Trang Just Held Its First-Ever LGBT Tourism Seminar

In the last couple years, Vietnam has made some impressive strides in the realm of LGBT rights. From legalizing same-sex marriage (though such unions are still not officially recognized by the state) ...

Brian Letwin

in Travel

[Photos] Saigoneer Getaways: Boracay and Tourism Done Right

With picture-perfect beaches, well-organized tourism activities and customer service a cut above its Southeast Asian neighbors, could the Philippines' Boracay be a glimpse into the future of Vietnam's...

in Travel

Epic Drone Video Takes You From Saigon to Hanoi

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from drone video maker Troy Nguyen, and for good reason. The Youtuber has spend the last few months traveling the length of Vietnam to produce this 1 hour video tha...

in Travel

Foreign Arrivals in Vietnam Surge 20% in November

Vietnam’s tourism sector has had a strong showing in November with 723,740 international arrivals, a 12.9% increase over October and 20.4% compared to the same time period last year.

in Travel

You’ll Soon Be Able to Play Slot Machines at Vietnam’s Airports

In what may be a push to compensate for poor mixed airport rankings earlier this year, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a proposal that will allow Vietnam’s international airports to i...

in Travel

Who Are the Top-Spending Tourists in Vietnam?

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has released its first-ever annual tourism report that contains some interesting data about visitors to Vietnam.

in Travel

What CNN's Saigon Guide Got Right

Earlier this month, CNN released its Insider Guide to HCMC, hitting all the usual highlights of our fair city, from Ben Thanh Market to the Reunification Palace. Here's what it got right and what we f...

in Travel

British MP: Tourists Won't Visit Vietnam If They Know About Dog Meat Trade

For whatever reason, last week Britain's House of Commons decided to discuss the number of dogs killed annually in Asian countries like China (20 million), Vietnam (5 million) and South Korea (2 milli...

in Travel

Vietnam May Waive Visas for Tourists on Package Holidays

In the ever-changing world of Vietnamese tourist visas, a new crop of foreign visitors may soon receive a free pass into the country.

in Travel

Hanoi, Saigon Make No. 2 Spot on Lonely Planet's List of Value Destinations

On Tuesday, guidebook publisher and thorn in the side of locals everywhere Lonely Planet released its list of 'Best Value Destinations for 2016'. Of course, Vietnam was on it.

in Travel

Tourists Are Ruining Ha Long Bay With Cave Graffiti

Ha Long Bay, the crown jewel of northern Vietnam's tourism industry, is looking a little worse for wear these days. Between the toxic slurry flowing into its waters earlier this year and the ghos...

in Travel

[Video] One Traveler's Mind-Bending 3D Images of Southeast Asia

When photographer Garret Suhrie packed his bags and bought a ticket to Southeast Asia, he had plans to make a travel video, something more and more travelers seem to be into these days.

in Travel

Pham Ngu Lao Looks Downright Whimsical in This Travel Video

There are a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to Pham Ngu Lao. Some see it as a haven for cheap beer and wild nights; others avoid Bui Vien like the plague.

in Travel

Miniature Landscape Video Showcases Snapshots of Nature in Ba Ria

In a city that's increasingly devoid of nature, it can be hard to recall the sight of a lush, green forest or a crystal-clear river.

in Travel

Vietnam Tourism Authority Supports Son Doong Cable Car

It's hard to argue with the majesty of Son Doong. As the world's largest cave and one of the most remote places not just in Vietnam but on earth, this never-ending subterranean wilderness is truly one...

in Travel

Vietnam to Cut Visa Fees Next Month

In the wonderful world of Vietnamese tourist visas, the rules seem to change everyday. Whether it's permitting certain passport holders to enter the country visa-free or discussing whether to wai...

in Travel

Pack Your Bags: VietJet Now Flies to Yangon

Planning a trip to Myanmar just got a little easier, thanks to VietJet. 

in Travel

Vietnam May Waive Visas For 19 More Countries But Who Knows

In this week's installment of visa-related news, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) is discussing the possibility of waiving visas for 19 more countries in an end-of-year push to ra...