Aside from being known for exotic rivers, Buddhist pagodas and post war museums, Vietnam is also popular for its stunning beaches where you can have a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. This once unruly place that marked the infamous Vietnam War is now a haven for tourist where guest arrivals…

Vietnam is one of the most geographically diverse countries not just in the region of Southeast Asia, but in the entire world. Tackling this country on a 30 (or even 60) day visa can be completely overwhelming; there is just so much to do and see! Here are a…

One of the most overwhelming parts of visiting a new city is the overwhelming amount of options you have for dining. Learning about the cuisine in any given country is a huge part of understanding the society, and Vietnam in particular has a particularly abundant food culture. One of…

Sa Pa is unlike any other city in Vietnam. In fact, it’s unlike any other city in Southeast Asia. A true mountain town (yes, it even gets snow in the winter!), the valley of SaPa is a great place to both escape the heat and experience something completely new. …

There is a perhaps surprising amount of French influence in the country of Vietnam(interesting facts), most of which are after effects of the French invasion and colonization that occurred in the late 1800’s. French influence can be found in the architecture, the food, the language, and, most importantly, the…

Surprisingly, Vietnam has huge variations in weather depending on the season and city. While many SE Asian countries remain hot and sticky throughout the year, Vietnam is an outlier in its weather disparities.   A major factor in the climate differences is the shape of Vietnam where it stretches…

One of the biggest misconceptions about international travel is that it is expensive. Of course, certain elements of travel are expensive: you can’t get around the high cost of a plane ticket, and everybody has to pay visa expenses. However, when you actually get to SE Asia, the costs…

1. The Language Barrier & Impossibility of Learning Vietnamese Though you will find a lot of the local Vietnamese population can speak traces of English, it is much harder to communicate than most people anticipate. Even tasks as simple as ordering food or asking for directions can turn out…

1. HCMC’s Ben Thanh Market – Vietnam This is one of the biggest and most overwhelming indoor markets in South East Asia. They sell anything and everything you could want; from food to clothes to trinkets to candy to sunglasses. This is an excellent place to wander around for a…

Hanoi is an immensely sprawling city; it seems that no matter how far you get from the city center, it just keeps going. A city of 6.5 million inhabitants, it can be intimidating to feel that you get a good grasp on Hanoi—especially if you just stay in the…