Few rides can match the magnificent scenery, colorful people and sense of adventure gained on this odyssey into Vietnam’s remote north-west. Those who take up the challenge will not be disappointed. And it is a challenge, with numerous mountain passes…
Vietnamese pop music gets a bad rap in the Western world, probably because the Vietnamese language doesn’t sound particularly lyrical to Western ears – and it can be hard to take when it’s blasted through the heavy reverb so favored…
Vietnam is an S-shape peninsula that borders China to the north, Laos to the west, and Cambodia to the southwest. Covering about 331,520 sq. km (129,293 sq. miles), it’s roughly the size of Italy, but only a small percentage of…
Eating as in the North; clothing as in the South, the eating of the North people in general, the Hanoi people in particular for many years now have been summarized to become a familiar fancy word. Those two words seems…
Pho – Noodle Soup with beef or chicken “Pho”-noodle soup can be seen as the most typical dish for Hanoi capital gastronomy. Hanoi Pho appeared from early 20th century with such names as Pho Thin, Pho Giang, Pho Dong My…
Lush green mountains, scenic beaches, ancient pagodas, and the allure of a fascinating culture attract millions of visitors to Vietnam each year. Today, the country is emerging as an increasingly prosperous nation with a thriving tourism industry, largely due to…
The museums and attractions of Ho Chi Minh City are mostly in the downtown areas of districts 1 and 3. And although the museums are interesting, the bustling city itself is the major attraction here. Attractions In District 1 Ben…
Hanoi Opera House This gorgeous, historic Art Nouveau building was built near the turn of the 20th century. Unfortunately, to get inside, you’ll have to attend a performance, which are usually enjoyable but few and far between. The steps out…
Army Museum This museum presents the Vietnamese side of the country’s struggle against colonial powers. There are three buildings of odds and ends from both the French and American wars here, including evocative photos. Most interesting, though, is the actual…
Hanoi is divided into four main sectors: Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Hai BaTrung, and Dong Da. Metropolitan Hanoi includes a number of outlying areas that were once provinces, but as the population expands in number and large-scale development seeks new…