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.
Amid Heavy Criticism, Hoi An Amends Entry Fees
After getting a huge amount of flak from locals and tourists alike, Hoi An authorities have made amendments to the strict enforcement of $6 entry fee’s to the city’s old town, according to the Saigon ...
[Slideshow] Views of Hanoi's Lakes from Above
We’re all about Saigon pride, but Hanoi definitely has us beat in one category – lakes.
Reports: New $6 Entry Fee has Made Hoi An a Ghost Town
Last week we heard rumors that Hoi An has started to charge a $6 entry fee to tourists seeking to enter the city's old town. According to Kenh14, what we feared has become a reality - Hoi An is now a ...
Rumors: It Now Costs $6 to Enter Hoi An’s Old Town
In a move that’s sure to backfire, there are reports coming out of Hoi An that the city has started to charge a $6 entrance fee to access its famous old town area.
Japan Mulls Waiving Visas for Vietnamese
As part of a plan to increase tourism revenue, Japan is considering waiving visas for visitors from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Saigon Gets its First Capsule Hotel
It looks like the capsule hotel fad has finally hit Saigon. The Hongkong Kaiteki has opened its first location on Pham Ngu Lao, offering cheap and, for some, slightly claustrophobic accommodation...
Explore Hue’s Imperial City with Google Street View
It may not be as official or comprehensive as Google’s ‘Street View Treks’ of Angkor Wat but you can now take a virtual tour of Hue’s Imperial City thanks to 360view.vn.
This Singapore Tourism Commercial is One of the Worst We’ve Ever Seen
We hope this cringeworthy Singapore tourism promotion video is an ingenious viral marketing effort because it’s just that bad (shout out to Malaysia’s “Malaysia Truly Asia” campaign which is slightly ...
You Can Now Explore Angkor Wat With Google Street View
After finding all the Pokemon using Google Maps, take a break to visit Angkor Wat.
Vietnam's Top 20 Beaches According to Rough Guides
With over 3,200 kilometers of coastline, Vietnam offers a seemingly endless number of beach options, making them one of the country’s strongest tourist attractions. Rough Guides, an international trav...
Vietnam Announces Online Visa System
For foreigners traveling to Vietnam, getting a visa is set to get a bit easier as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Information and Communications have announced a new online visa system...
Visa-Free Stay for Phu Quoc Visitors Extended to 30 Days
The island of Phu Quoc has bumped up its visa-free stay to 30 days for international visitors, reports Thanh Nien.
Vietnam Named a Top-50 International Tourist Destination
Vietnam ranks as one of the Top-50 international tourist destinations according to www.movehub.com, a popular website for those seeking to move abroad, reports VietNamNet.
National Geographic: Phu Quoc a Top-3 Winter Destination
Another week, another set of subjective travel ratings, this time from National Geographic Traveler Magazine. The publication just released their 2014 list of “Best Winter Trips” in which Phu Quoc ran...
Epic Road Trip: Ha Giang to Ca Mau
If you’re like us, slaves to the internet and our computer overlords, it can be easy to forget that Saigon is an urban bubble. In a reminder that there’s a whole other Vietnam out there, 4 friends – C...
30-Day Visa Exemption for Foreigners Visiting Phu Quoc
Starting March 10, international travelers to Phu Quoc will enjoy a 30-day visa exemption. The visa waiver is part of decision No. 80 signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on December 27 with the ...
Spain, Land of Churches, Castles and Wine - Part 2
This is part 2 of Spain, Land of Churches, Castles and Wine. Click here for part 1. Of the many Rioja wineries that have opened their doors to wine lovers, we visited one of the best known in in the...
Brian Letwin in Travel
Video: Hanoi to Saigon by Train, in 9 Minutes
Last week Vietnam announced plans for a US$16 billion, 8 line railway that will provide modern rail service to the south and central regions of the country. There is of course, the current, century ol...
Spain, Land of Churches, Castles and Wine - Part 1
Although I grew up in Spain, it’s been nearly 20 years since I left the country to overseas, so this summer I decided to go back and visit family and friends while showing the country to my Vietnamese...
Brian Letwin in Travel
Vietnam Tourism Struggles to Keep up with ASEAN Neighbors
It’s long been known that Vietnam is lagging behind its ASEAN neighbors when it comes to the quality of tourism workers. With the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreement on mutual re...
