Traditional Vietnamese Cuisine
Some of the freshest, most flavorful, and most varied dishes in Southeast Asia belong to Vietnam. From Hanoi’s bun cha (grilled pork in fish sauce with noodles) to Hue’s bun bo (spicy beef noodle soup) or the dozens of southern meals unique to each small village and town, Vietnamese cuisine’s comp
The Plants and Animals of Vietnam
Stretching over 2,000 miles along the East Sea, Vietnam is home to countless varieties of flora and fauna. From the peaks of Sapa all the way down to the watery Mekong Delta, the country’s range of climates and habitats lends itself to an equally diverse array of plant and wildlife. However, with
The Mekong Delta to the Cambodian Border Travel Itinerary
Starting from Ho Chi Minh City, this 6-day itinerary works well as a bookend to your Vietnam trip, especially if you’re continuing onward to Cambodia. If you’re not, simply stop at the border. From floating markets and nature sanctuaries to incredible pagodas and mountain summit views, expec
Planning Your Time in Vietnam’s Central Provinces
With the stunning curves of a mountainous coastline and the heartbreaking scars of war, Vietnam’s central provinces are a microcosm of captivating destinations. The region boasts top-notch cuisine and natural, cultural, and historical attractions, catering to both adventurous backpackers and luxur
Vietnamese Funeral Rituals
Vietnam’s approach to death is different than that of the Western world. Regardless of religion, Vietnamese believe in ancestor worship. These include grandparents as well as collective national ancestors like Ho Chi Minh or Tran Hung Dao.
When a Vietnamese person passes away, it is believed that
Visiting Sapa's Minority Villages in Vietnam
Perched high above Vietnam’s Muong Hoa Valley, the sleepy little town of Sapa is a world apart from its urban contemporaries, quiet and compact amid the vast open space of Vietnam’s remote northwest. Now the go-to destination of the region, its rolling hills and verdant, many-tiered rice ter
Saigon's Ben Thanh Market
Easily the most recognizable structure in Saigon, Ben Thanh Market (Le Loi and Tran Hung Dao, D1, tel. 08/3829-2096, 6am-6pm daily) is the original commercial heart of the city and a prime spot for souvenir shopping, with over 3,000 small businesses and an army of multilingual vendors. Using the c
Planning Your Time in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay
Boasting wild, uncharted jungles and karst-studded seas, Vietnam’s northern coast captivates travelers with its breathtaking scenery. Whether on water or land, the otherworldly landscapes of the region provide a stunning backdrop for adventure.
Jagged, rocky islands pepper the seascape, along with
Sights North of Nha Trang, Vietnam
There are two notable sights north of Nha Trang: the Po Nagar Towers and Hon Chong, both excellent sites for scenic views and interesting histories. Both are easily visited in one trip, stopping first at the towers and then continuing along the same road for another mile to the sea.
Po Nagar Tower
Day Trips From Hanoi
Beyond the city limits, Hanoi’s suburbs and surrounding countryside offer a few easygoing day trips. At the heart of the Red River Delta, a pair of booming traditional handicraft villages complement the urban chaos, while a serene pagoda complex southwest of the city affords an altogether differen
Planning Your Time on Vietnam's South-Central Coast
A vibrant, sun-soaked shoreline runs unbroken from the tumultuous cliffs of Quy Nhon down to Mui Ne’s bizarre tropical sand dunes. The bulk of Vietnam’s most-visited mainland beaches belong to this region. Rounding out the belly of the “S,” this gently curving stretch of coast is a feast of greens
Planning Your Time in Ho Chi Minh City
Get anywhere near the flashing neon lights, full-throttle traffic, sardined houses, and soaring commercial towers of the country’s southern hub and it becomes clear why Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is the future of Vietnam. Indisputably the economic heart of the nation, this fast-paced, ever-expanding
The Stranger Side of Vietnamese Cuisine
In a nation as food-focused as Vietnam, it is all but impossible to come up with dozens of savory masterpieces without having created a few strange dishes along the way. While pho and banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) have gained worldwide acclaim as delicious, accessible facets of local cuisine, th
Planning a Visit to Tram Chim National Park
The stunning landscapes of Tram Chim National Park (Vuon Quoc Gia Tram Chim) (Hamlet 4, Tram Chim, tel. 06/7382-7436, 7am-5pm daily) are awash with tall grass, flat, waterlogged land, and over 230 different aquatic birds swooping and wheeling across the park’s 7,000 hectares. Visitors trace the wa
The Imperial City in Hue, Vietnam
From the early 19th century through the end of the Vietnamese monarchy in 1945, Hue’s Imperial City (23 Thang 8, 7am-5:30pm daily, VND150,000) housed an impressive cache of temples, palaces, and administrative buildings belonging to the 13 kings of the Nguyen dynasty. On the northern side of the P
The Caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
A labyrinth of subterranean tunnels and jaw-dropping, otherworldly landscapes, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (TL20, Son Trach village, tel. 05/2367-7323, 7am-5pm daily, entry fees charged per cave) may be off the beaten path for now, but its anonymity is fading fast. Ever since a team of British
Doing business & staying in touch while in Vietnam
Vietnam: Doing business & staying in touch
Vietnam Weather, Climate and Geography
Vietnam Weather, climate and geography
Vietnam History, Language and Culture
Vietnam History, Language and Culture
Vietnam Travel Guide and Travel Information
Vietnam Travel Guide
