Khôi Phạm in Travel
Bask in the Morning Sun in the Green Heart of Huế Along the Hương River
As tourists, it's in our built-in compass to seek out novelties and excitements, if anything, to remind us that our daily humdrum is not everything, and there exists a world out there with multitudes to explore.
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.
Vietnam Airlines Aims For 4-Star Rating To Dominate SE Asia
Vietnam Airlines is making a bid to dominate air travel in SE Asia and climb the international rankings, investing heavily in new airplanes and service upgrades.
European Tourists Reportedly Charged For Visas At Noi Bai Despite Waiver
Apparently, immigration officials at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport didn’t get the memo about Vietnam’s highly publicized visa exemptions for German, French, British, Italian and Spanish tourists that went i...
[Video] Man Fined $35 for Shattering Smelly Pickle Jar at Security Checkpoint
Vietnam’s northern airport authority has fined a passenger VND750,000 (US$35) for throwing a jar of picked eggplants at Noi Bai International airport.
Vietnam Tourism Numbers Drop for 13th Consecutive Month
Vietnamese tourism officials are probably praying that the effects of the recent visa waivers will kick in soon as the number of international visitors traveling to Vietnam has fallen for the 13th con...
Hanoi Ranked Cheapest Destination In TripAdvisor Index
Hanoi has been named the cheapest destination in TripAdvisor's latest TripIndex Cities cost-comparison study.
Foreigners Now Allowed To Bring Motorhomes Into Vietnam
Here’s some good news for foreigners wanting to embark on a SE Asia road trip via motorhome.
Vietnam Officially Waives Visas for 5 European Countries
After weeks of speculation, Vietnam is officially scrapping tourist visas for citizens of Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Spain starting July 1.
Deputy PM Highlights 6 'Nightmares' for Tourists Visiting Vietnam
Last week, Vietnamese Deputy PM, Vu Duc Dam, highlighted six major problems that plague Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Woman Fined For Kicking, Threatening VietJet Employee Over Carry-On Luggage
Nobody likes being told their luggage is overweight when checking in for a flight. But while most of us reluctantly pay the fee, others take to violence and threats to express their frustrations.
[Video] VNA 787-9 Makes Breathtaking Maneuvers Ahead Of Paris Air Show Debut
We’ve heard a lot about Boeing’s new 787-9 Dreamliner, the first of which will be added to Vietnam Airlines’ fleet in a few months. But ahead of its delivery and debut at next week’s Paris Air Show, t...
Vietnamese Customs Officers Ordered to 'Improve Attitude' Toward Tourists
In what seems to be yet another attempt to boost poor tourism numbers, the Vietnamese government has told customs officials to be nice or else.
Vietnam 'Likely' to Give Visa Waivers for UK, France, Australia, Others
More details about plans to change the country’s visa policies have emerged with a tourism official announcing that visitors from the UK, France, Germany and Spain will soon enjoy visa-free stays in V...
Phu Quoc’s Beaches Are Becoming Garbage Dumps: Reports
Phu Quoc Island’s once pristine beaches have become dumping grounds for hotels and tourists.
Vietnam Set To Drop Visa Requirements For 15 Mystery Nations, Establish US$100 million Tourism Fund
Another week, another hopeful sign that Vietnam is committed to reforming its cumbersome tourist visa policies after 12 consecutive months of falling international arrivals.
[Video] Beautiful Timelapse Takes You Through SE Asia In 5 Minutes
You may remember Dylan Ozanich and his girlfriend who, after a 1,800km road trip from Hoi An to Phnom Penh a few months back, gifted their Honda Dream to a Phnom Penh coconut vendor. This happene...
Passengers Complain Of Missing Property At Noi Bai Airport
Numerous cases of stolen property have been reported at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, prompting VietJet to lodge a complaint with airport authorities and an increasing distrust among passengers.
Saigoneer Getaways: Exploring The Mekong Delta By Bicycle
Pancake-flat roads criss-cross the Mekong Delta’s intricate water world of swamplands and paddy fields. Littered with exotic fruit orchards, sugar-cane groves and sleepy roadside cafés, it is a perfec...
Vietnam Tourism Officials Push for Universal Visa Waivers
As Vietnam suffers from nearly a year of decline in international tourists, local tourism officials have called on the government to grant visa waivers for all nationalities from July to December.
Walk Through Son Doong Cave With These Incredible 3D Panoramas
Amidst the live telecasts and drone videos of Son Doong Cave that have been making international headlines in recent months, National Geographic has quietly released an insane set of 3D panoramas that...
[Photos] Vietnam Airlines' First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Almost Ready For Delivery
Vietnam Airlines’ first of 28 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners has received its first paint job at Paine Field, Washington and is almost ready to be delivered.
