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.
Tourists Generate Up to 3 Times More Plastic Waste Than Locals, UNDP Finds
A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that plastic waste pollution poses increasing pro...
Paul Christiansen in Travel
'Chuyện Của Pao' Turned a Historic H'Mông Home in Hà Giang Into a Tourist Attraction
The photos don’t do it justice. That’s what you’ll often hear from people who visit Hà Giang to cruise its famed highway loop.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
From Dark to Dawn, an Early Morning at Hội An's Duy Hải Fish Market
At 3am, Hội An’s streets resemble dog-gnawed pork bones, licked clean of all scent and viscera. No light, no noise, no movement. But that’s the time you must venture out to witness the Duy Hải Fish Market in action.
The Year of the Horse Gallops into The Grand Ho Tram
Inspired by the spirit of the horse, The Grand Ho Tram encourages you to have a year of success, confidence, and new horizons. Traditional Tết performances and activities alongside special feasts and opportunities for revelry will usher in a year of remarkable achievements and memorable moments.
Vietnam Welcomes 21m Tourists in 2025, Highest-Ever Figure in History
Last year marked an impressive year for tourism in Vietnam. A record number of 21.17 million international tourists visite...
Hanoi's Proposal to Stop Train Service Might Spell the End of 'Train Street'
Hanoi’s infamous train street might be going away if a new municipal plan becomes a reality.
Pete Walls in Travel
At Kon Tum's Đăk Đrinh Lake, Life Slows to a Therapeutic Pace
Đăk Đrinh Lake lies in the northern reaches of Kon Tum, where the hills rise in slow, deliberate waves and the pace of life is set by the land. The Ca Dong ethnic communities remain here, maintaining their language, stilt houses, and routines that have shaped this corner of the highlands for generations.
5 Of Vietnam’s Most Beautiful (And Terrifying) Mountain Roads
With both potentially deadly turns and stunning natural beauty, these 5 mountain passes can simultaneously strike awe and fear into the hearts of drivers.
Soon You’ll Be Able to Catch A $300 Seaplane Flight To Phan Thiet
So who’s down to spring for a $300, 45-minute seaplane ride instead a $10, 5-hour ride on a Phuong Trang bus?
Vietnam Considers Visa Exemptions For Tourists From EU, US, Others
While Vietnam may be shooting itself in the foot with work permit regulations, the country may take an important step forward when it comes to tourist visas.
Brian Letwin in Travel
World Famous LEGO Couple Takes A Trip To Vietnam
You’re traveling the world but don’t want to make the pictures from your trip stand out. What better way to do so than travel with another couple, one that’s photogenic and…made of plastic?
[Video] A Surfer’s Quest to Find Vietnam’s Legendary Waves
To show that Mui Ne isn’t the only place to catch a decent wave in Vietnam, a group of surfers recently explored Vietnam’s 3,444 km long coast and found nirvana in Phan Rang, a relative backwater comp...
Amid Criticism, Hoi An To Issue Visitor “Passports”
Hoi An authorities and UNESCO representatives announced a plan to implement a tourist “passport” program to replace the current ticketing system which has created controversy since April.
Brian Letwin in Travel
Bobby Chinn Nominated for Vietnam Tourism Ambassador
Bobby Chinn may not be Vietnamese but he’s been identified as one of the “most promising candidates” to replace Ly Nha Ky as the country’s tourism ambassador.
Brian Letwin in Travel
Phu Quoc Ranked as One of the World’s 10 “Lost Paradises”
Phu Quoc has undergone drastic changes over the last few years but compared to many of Vietnam’s tourist destinations, it’s remained relatively undeveloped. Singaporean newswire, AsiaOne, recently fea...
Brian Letwin in Travel
[Photos] Hanoi's Ancient Wells
Illegal wells may be one of the main reasons Saigon is sinking, but up North, their ancient cousins still provide life-sustaining, clean water to many communities.
Brian Letwin in Travel
[Photos] VietJet Brings Back In-Flight Bikini Shows
VietJet Air is the honey badger of airlines; it just doesn’t give a sh*t. After getting fined for in-flight bikini shows in 2012, the budget airline has brought back the performances to celebrate its ...
Brian Letwin in Travel
[Video] Yet Another Reminder of How Beautiful Vietnam Really is
Marco Santi and a friend spent 6 days in Vietnam, stopping in Saigon, Can Tho and Chau Doc before heading off to Cambodia. Even though it was short trip, the smiles of the Vietnamese and the country’s...
The Mekong Delta: Home to 3 of Vietnam's Most Spectacular Mansions
While Hanoi, Hai Phong and Saigon are known for their beautiful colonial architecture, some of Vietnam’s best specimens can be found in the Mekong Delta. Here are 3 ornate buildings known for their mi...
Brian Letwin in Travel
This Video Reminds Us Just How Beautiful Vietnam Really is
It’s time to take a break from Saigon time lapse videos set to electronic music and enjoy this slow-paced short film, Somewhere in Vietnam which reminds us just how beautiful this country is.
Brian Letwin in Travel
Russian Tourists are Abandoning Mui Ne
Mui Ne, long considered a haven for Russian tourists has been experiencing a drop in visitors from the Motherland as they seek out “easier accesses” destinations, reports Thanh Nien.
Escape From the Tourists: 5 of Vietnam’s Underrated Islands
You want to have a lazy holiday on a tranquil beach, but Nha Trang and Mui Ne is a bit too touristy for your taste. We’ve come up with a list islands that should offer some relief from the throngs of ...
NY Times: Here’s What You Should Do with 36 Hours in HCMC
The New York Times recently visited HCMC for one of their popular “36 Hours” columns where they present a list of recommendations for things to do and places to go if you're short on time.
Brian Letwin in Travel
Thailand Amends Controversial Border Procedures for Vietnamese Tourists
After public outcry from Vietnamese tourists and tourism officials, Thai customs authorities have announced that they will amend “offensive” signage and procedures requiring proof of funds at the...
Vietnamese Tourists Furious About Thai Customs Procedures
At the border gate between Cambodia and Thailand, Vietnamese nationals are required to take photos holding at least $700 in cash. Many Vietnamese said that the procedure made them feel like criminals....
Brian Letwin in Travel
Vietnam Tourism Booming in 2014
Even though the country has received criticism for some of its tourism policies, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed 745,980 international travelers in April,...
Literal Translations of Beijing’s Subway Stations are Amazing
Like Vietnamese, Chinese can yield some interesting results when things are translated literally. With this in mind, the Wall Street Journal Asia recently published a map with literal translations of ...
