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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

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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

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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.

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A Tribute to the Incredibly Eye-Catching, Organic Signage of Sa Đéc

Signs are like voices.

Linh Phạm

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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.

Tuyết Nhi

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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.

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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.

Khôi Phạm

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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.

Back Travel

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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.

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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...

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[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.

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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...

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Hanoi Ranked Cheapest Destination In TripAdvisor Index

Hanoi has been named the cheapest destination in TripAdvisor's latest TripIndex Cities cost-comparison study.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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[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...

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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.

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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...

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Phu Quoc’s Beaches Are Becoming Garbage Dumps: Reports

Phu Quoc Island’s once pristine beaches have become dumping grounds for hotels and tourists.

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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.

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[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...

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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.

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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...

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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.

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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...

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[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.