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.

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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.

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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

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'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?

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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

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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

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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.

Back Travel

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Epic Drone Video Perfectly Captures Sapa’s Majestic Beauty

Sapa has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful places on Earth and with videos like this, it’s easy to see why.

Lee Starnes

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Saigoneer Getaways: The Melting Pot Of The Philippines

Over the Tet holiday, our photographer, Lee Starnes, tried to capture the melting pot of the Philippines. Traveling to Palawan, Bohol, and Southern Luzon, the remnants of Spanish and American coloniza...

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International Arrivals To Vietnam Drop For Ninth Consecutive Month

Based on data released by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam has experienced a precipitous fall in tourist numbers for the ninth straight month.

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[Photos] Check Out Vietnam Airlines’ New Star Trek-like Uniforms

For the first time in 15 years, Vietnam Airlines has unveiled a set of new uniforms for its pilots and cabin crews.

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Vietnamese Airlines Must Now Offer Ticket Refunds After 5-Hour Delays

A circular that took effect on Sunday seeks to partially address the inconveniences caused by chronically late departures in Vietnam by requiring local airlines to offer compensation for passengers wh...

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AirAsia Launches Asean Pass: Up To 10 Flights For US$160

You’ve probably already spent a fair amount of your travel fund over Tết, but AirAsia’s new Asean Pass may have you digging a bit deeper into your pockets.

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Awesome Drone Video of Vietnam’s Hang En Cave

Local photographer, Ryan Deboodt, recently paid a visit to Hang En Cave, the third largest ever discovered, with his camera-mounted drone.

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[Video] Inside Vietnam Airlines' Sexy New 787-9 Dreamliners

Vietnam Railways isn’t the only Vietnamese transportation company upping their standards. In an effort to compete at the highest levels of international air travel, Vietnam Airlines has plans to buy 2...

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Da Nang to Launch Helicopter Tours in April

Starting in April, visitors to Da Nang will be able to take in the city’s sights from the air with helicopter tours.

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[Photos] What It’s Like to Take a Flight on North Korea’s Air Koryo, 'World’s Worst Airline'

According to Skytrax, which ranks and reviews 681 airlines, North Korea’s Air Koryo is the least pleasant to fly. The state-owned airline is the only carrier on the site that has a 1-star ranking and ...

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[Photos] A Closer Look At Vietnam’s New 5-Star Trains

More details and photos of Vietnam’s new 5-star trains have popped up in the local press this week, providing pricing information and a deeper look at the upscale amenities which promise to provide a ...

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[Photos] 5-Star Train Makes Debut on Vietnam’s North-South Railway

After four months of upgrades, a train consisting of Vietnam Railway’s typical rolling stock has been relaunched as a 5-star train, the first of its kind in Vietnam.

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[Photos] Tà Chì Nhù: Vietnam’s "Ocean Of Clouds"

Within the rolling hills of Yen Bai Province sits Tà Chì Nhù, Vietnam's 6th tallest mountain at 2,979 meters.

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Vietnamese Airlines May Soon Offer Direct Flights to the US

For Vietnamese and expats who frequently travel between Vietnam and the U.S., you may not have to endure long stop overs much longer.

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Construction Of Phan Thiet Airport Set To Kick-Off This Month

After getting the Prime Minister’s approval last September, construction of the Phan Thiet Airport is scheduled to commence this month according to provincial People’s Committee.

Lee Starnes

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[Photos] Phú Quốc: An Idyllic Beach Getaway…For Now

A short 45-minute flight from Saigon takes you away from the city’s frenetic energy and drops you in a place where the sounds of waves hitting the sand replace the endless honking horns of busses and ...

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Jetstar Tops The List Of Most Delayed Airlines In Vietnam

According to a recent survey, Jetstar Pacific is Vietnam’s tardiest airline with 30.6% of their flights delayed.

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Da Nang Makes NY Times' '52 Places to Go in 2015' List

Over the past decade, Da Nang has boosted its profile as an international tourist destination with its beautiful beaches, fine dining and luxury hotels.

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Huffington Post: “21 Reasons To Fall In Love With Vietnam”

The Huffington Post recently released their list of “21 Reasons To Fall In Love With Vietnam,” highlighting the country’s natural beauty, food and people among other things.

Lee Starnes

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48 Hours In Tam Cốc-Bích Động

As you approach the small town of Tam Cốc-Bích Động, limestone karsts jump out of the endlessly flat terrain like monuments to the days of yesteryear.