Crown Retreat, Quy Nhon, Vietnam, Independent Review
Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam
The Muong Long Loop, Nghe An, Motorbike Guide
A Year of Contributing Writers on Vietnam Coracle
An Ode to Hammock Cafes in Vietnam: Cà Phê Võng
23 Differences from South to North Vietnam
Behind the Scenes, April 2023: Reunited

Popular Guides

  1. 23 of the Best Beaches in Vietnam

    23 of the Best Beaches in Southern & Central Vietnam

    With a coastline of over 3,200km & thousands of islands lying offshore, Vietnam is a great beach destination. Blue bays, hidden coves, white sands, swaying palms & dramatic cliffs, Vietnam has it all….

  2. Ha Giang Extreme North Motorbike Loop, northern Vietnam

    Ha Giang Extreme North Motorbike Loop

    Ha Giang, Vietnam’s northern-most province, is home to a mythical landscape of conical limestone peaks & craterous valleys. Over the years, it has gained an almost legendary status among travellers. This motorbike loop is perhaps the most thrilling road trip in the country…

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  4. The Best Street Food Streets in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam

    7 Great Streets for Street Food in Saigon

    Saigon is arguably the best place to explore Vietnam’s extraordinary street food scene. The city boasts so many street food outlets that it feels like a gigantic open-air restaurant. This is my guide to 7 of the best streets for street food in Saigon…

  5. Climbing Fansipan mountain independently, without a guide, Vietnam

    A Guide to Climbing Mount Fansipan Independently

    Known as the ‘Roof of Indochina’, Mount Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. At 3,143m (10,312ft) it’s a ‘real’ mountain. But Fansipan can be climbed independently, without a guide or porters or any specialist climbing equipment, in one day…..

  6. Plants, Flowers & Trees of Vietnam

    Plants, Flowers & Trees of Vietnam

    The colours, shapes, sizes, smells & variety of flora in Vietnam is mesmerizing. In this guide I’ve compiled an illustrated index of some of the flowers, plants & trees I regularly see in Vietnam’s countryside & cities….

  7. The Hai Van Pass: Motorbike Guide

    One of the most famous roads in Vietnam, the Hai Van Pass weaves around a mountainous stretch of coastline in Central Vietnam, linking Danang & Hue

  8. Phu Quoc's Beaches, Vietnam

    Phu Quoc’s Beaches: A Guide

    A halo of sand encompasses this green & forested island in the Gulf of Thailand. But Phu Quoc is currently undergoing major development, so now is the time to visit its beaches, before it’s too late (in some cases, it already is)…

  9. 25 of the Greatest Riding Roads in Vietnam

    25 of the Greatest Riding Roads in Vietnam

    Vietnam has some incredible riding roads: possibly some of the most scenic in the world. Based on my experience of riding around Vietnam for the last decade, I have compiled a list of what I consider some of the greatest riding roads in Vietnam…

  10. Saigon to Hanoi by motorbike: 5 Suggested Routes

    Saigon to Hanoi by Motorbike: 5 Suggested Routes

    Thinking about riding the length of Vietnam by motorbike? Here are 5 great routes between Saigon and Hanoi, each one specifically designed to suit the needs of different travellers, based on scenery and time frame among other things….

  11. Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam: All 8 Episodes Reviewed

    Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam: Retrospective & Review

    Anthony Bourdain felt a special attachment to Vietnam. Over the course of his TV career, he filmed multiple episodes in the country. I’ve pulled together & reviewed all 8 of his Vietnam shows…

Hiking & Walking

  1. Trekking to Đỉnh Tiên Sơn Peak | Phu Quoc Island

    Trekking to Đỉnh Tiên Sơn Peak | Phu Quoc Island

    Ascending steeply through thick rainforest, a pathway leads to a nest of giant boulders atop Đỉnh Tiên Sơn, from where there are stunning 180-degree views…

  2. Hiking the Con Dao Islands

    Hiking the Con Dao Islands

    One of the most pristine natural environments in Vietnam, several hiking trails traverse the Con Dao Islands offering sensational views…

  3. Exploring Saigon's alleyways, Vietnam

    Walking Saigon’s Alleyways

    Between all the busy main roads, Saigon is riddled with narrow alleyways, which are quiet, cool, charming and great for walking. Here are some of my favourite areas in the city for alley walks….

  4. Into the Wild Hike, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

    Into the Wild Hike & Camp | Phu Quoc Island

    A short, rewarding hike through thick jungle & down steep wooden ladders to a remote beach…

  5. Climbing Fansipan mountain independently, without a guide, Vietnam

    A Guide to Climbing Mount Fansipan Independently

    Known as the ‘Roof of Indochina’, Mount Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. At 3,143m (10,312ft) it’s a ‘real’ mountain. But Fansipan can be climbed independently, without a guide or porters or any specialist climbing equipment, in one day…..

  6. Camping, Hiking & Cloud Hunting in Cau Dat Highlands, Vietnam

    Camping, Hiking & Cloud-Hunting in Cau Dat

    Wild camp above the clouds in a haunting & beautiful landscape near Cầu Đất village in the Central Highlands…

  7. Exploring life along Saigon's railway line, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Exploring Saigon’s Railway Tracks: A Guide

    Lined with intriguing architecture, temples, shrines, pagodas, fruit trees, flowers, cafes, casual dining & other such urban miscellanea, exploring the lanes alongside Saigon’s railway tracks, on foot or on two wheels, is a fascinating experience….

  8. Núi Đá Bạc Mountain Trekking Guide, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

    Núi Đá Bạc Mountain Trek | Phu Quoc Island

    Offering stupendous views, this is a fun & rewarding hike to the top of one of the jungle-clad escarpments lining Phu Quoc’s eastern flank…

History, Culture & Environment

  1. Vietnam Reading List & Book Reviews

    Vietnam Reading List & Book Reviews

    A categorized reading list including personal reviews of over 50 books about Vietnam, ranging from Vietnamese authors in translation to travel writing, journalism, history, poetry, politics & more…

  2. Vijaya Cham towers & citadel, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam

    The Cham Towers & Ancient Citadel of Vijaya

    Scattered across the plains of Binh Dinh Province, the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Champa are a powerful reminder of the rich history of what is now Vietnam. Visiting the remains of the Cham towers & Vijaya citadel is a rewarding day trip from Quy Nhon….

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  4. The Last Emperors: Nguyễn Dynasty Sites in Hue

    Last Emperors: Nguyen Dynasty Sites in Hue

    Vietnam’s last imperial line left behind a rich legacy of cultural attractions in and around the former royal capital of Huế…

  5. Weather Guide to Vietnam: When & Where to Go

    Vietnam Weather Guide: When & Where to Go

    Weather is an important consideration when planning a trip to Vietnam. Here’s a month-by-month guide to weather conditions across the nation, including recommendations of where to go (and where to avoid) at different times of year…

  6. Ode to a Banyan Tree

    Ode to a Banyan Tree

    Temples of the forest, banyan trees are great, natural edifices rich in cultural, spiritual & folkloric symbolism. A bridge between the human, natural & spirit worlds, banyan trees are found all over Vietnam…

  7. 23 Differences Travelling South to North Vietnam

    23 Differences from South to North Vietnam

    One of the most fascinating aspects of travelling through Vietnam is observing & experiencing the changes that occur from region to region

  8. First Rains: An Ode to the Monsoon in Vietnam

    First Rains: An Ode to the Monsoon

    Monsoon downpours & tropical storms are the quintessential expression of the tropics, representing the exotic & the mysterious. For me, the monsoon embodies the excitement & romance of living far from home….

  9. Slurping your noodles is good in Vietnam

    6 Reasons to Slurp Your Noodles

    Slurp and suck: this should be every traveller’s primary objective when sitting down to enjoy a bowl of one of Vietnam’s famous noodle soups. Here is my guide to why you should embrace local etiquette and leave your preconceived table manners at home….

  10. Ho Ancient Citadel, Thành Nhà Hồ, Thanh Hóa Province, Vietnam

    Ho Citadel

    Rising from the rice paddies of north-central Vietnam, the impressive ruins of this 14th century former royal capital were designated a World Heritage site in 2011, yet few foreign travellers pay a visit to Ho Citadel.

  11. Pac Bo: Ho Chi Minh's Cave

    Ho Chi Minh’s Cave: Hang Pác Bó

    In the winter of 1941, Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam for the first time in 30 years. For several weeks he lived in Pac Bo Cave. Right on Vietnam’s northeastern frontier with China, Pac Bo is an important historical site in an enchanting location…

  12. Bell tower at the General Võ Nguyên Giáp's tomb

    The General’s Tomb | A Memory

    Sometimes referred to simply as ‘The General’, Võ Nguyên Giáp is a giant of Vietnamese history. Following his death, in 2013, millions have made the pilgrimage to his tomb in Central Vietnam, myself included…

  13. Sustainable Travel: Single-Use Plastic in Vietnam

    Sustainable Travel: Single-Use Plastic in Vietnam

    By making some simple changes to way I travel & live in Vietnam, I’m trying to reduce the amount of single-use plastic I consume. Here’s my experience….

  14. Trash in Vietnam's beauty spots

    Trash Talk: Litter in Vietnam’s Beauty Spots

    Vietnam is an extraordinarily beautiful country, but thousands of scenic areas across the nation are increasingly ruined by trash. A major catalyst for litter in beauty spots are picnickers, who neglect to clean up after themselves….

  15. Ode to the Ocean, A personal meditation on the sea

    Ode to the Ocean

    Throughout human history, the sea has been both dangerous and generous: a cause of destruction and death, but also a source of food, fun, wealth and beauty…

  16. Phuong Boi hill & forest, the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh's retreat, Vietnam

    Phương Bối Hill: The Buddhist Monk Thích Nhất Hạnh’s Retreat

    In the misty forests on the slopes of the B’lao mountains, the young Buddhist monk, Thích Nhất Hạnh, came to build a retreat in the late 1950s. Now a world-famous spiritual leader, Thich Nhat Hanh was forced to abandon the retreat in the 1960s, but the site still exists….

  17. Plants, Flowers & Trees of Vietnam

    Plants, Flowers & Trees of Vietnam

    The colours, shapes, sizes, smells & variety of flora in Vietnam is mesmerizing. In this guide I’ve compiled an illustrated index of some of the flowers, plants & trees I regularly see in Vietnam’s countryside & cities….

  18. Don't Miss the Dawn in Vietnam

    Don’t Miss the Dawn

    Dawn is the best time of day in Vietnam. Yet most travellers and expats never experience it. Wake up before sunrise and you’ll witness exquisite skies and the ‘roots’ of Vietnamese daily life. Rising early should be on everyone’s list of things to do in Vietnam….

Central Motorbike Routes

  1. Dalat by Motorbike: 5 Routes & Loops

    Dalat by Motorbike: 5 Routes & Loops

    Many of Dalat’s most famous & impressive attractions lie within a 10-40km radius of the city centre. Linked by good roads through pretty scenery, these sights are best visited by motorbike…

  2. Phong Nha by Motorbike: 5 Routes & Loops

    Phong Nha by Motorbike: 5 Routes & Loops

    Phong Nha has some of the most sublime landscape in Vietnam. These motorbike routes & loops explore all corners of the area’s extraordinary natural beauty….

  3. The Golden Loop, Motorbike Guide, Central Vietnam

    The Golden Loop | Motorbike Guide

    Nowhere in Vietnam is there such variety of landscape & richness of culture as in the central provinces, a region best explored by motorbike…

  4. The Road East of the Long Mountains (Đường Trường Sơn Đông), Vietnam

    The Road East of the Long Mountains (Đường Trường Sơn Đông)

    A romp through the Central Highlands, the Truong Son Dong Road is a ride to be savoured. With mystical overtones & military undercurrents, the name in Vietnamese translates as ‘The Road East of the Long Mountains’. It’s one of the best riding roads in Vietnam…

  5. Son Tra Peninsular, Danang, Vietnam

    Son Tra Peninsula, Danang | Motorbike Guide

    A rugged headland at the northern tip of Danang’s municipal beach, Son Tra offers mountains & forests, cliffs & coves, wildlife & centuries-old banyan trees, lofty mountain passes with majestic views & sandy beaches untainted by concrete high-rises….

  6. Hoi An-Danang-Hue by Motorbike

    Hoi An→Danang→Hue by Motorbike: 3 Routes & Loops

    There are now four different routes between these three cities in Central Vietnam. Each route has something different to offer: choose between The Coast, The River, The Mountains, or The Tunnel…..

  7. Dak Nong Geopark↔Dong Nai River Motorbike Loop

    A meandering road trip in the cool, clear air & vivid ‘HD’ colours of the Western Highlands, the Dak Nong Geopark↔Dong Nai River Motorbike Loop is a sensory route, full of smells, sounds, sights & tastes: coffee blossom, blue skies, damp earth, wood smoke, rain, birdsong, spices & hot cups of locally-grown coffee.

  8. The Hai Van Pass: Motorbike Guide

    One of the most famous roads in Vietnam, the Hai Van Pass weaves around a mountainous stretch of coastline in Central Vietnam, linking Danang & Hue

  9. Tomb Rider: Hue to Dong Hoi on Back-Roads by motorbike, Vietnam

    Tomb Rider: Hue to Dong Hoi on Back-Roads

    Covering nearly 200km of completely empty beach, coastal back-roads lead from the old imperial capital of Hue to the beach city of Dong Hoi. Scattered with thousands of traditional-style tombs, this coastal region is rarely explored by foreign visitors…

  10. The Twin Passes: Cổ Mã & Cả

    Historically, four great passes have divided what is now Vietnam. These occur at the four points along the coast where spurs from the Truong Son Mountain Range spread eastwards to the sea. Of these, my favourites are the ‘twin passes’….

Luxury Hotels

  1. Amiana Resort & Spa, Nha Trang, Vietnam

    Amiana Resort Nha Trang | Independent Review

    Ten kilometres north of Nha Trang, Amiana Resort features a long seafront, lush gardens & several enormous, highly photogenic infinity pools…

  2. Ana Mandara Villas Resort, Dalat, Vietnam

    Ana Mandara Villas, Dalat

    17 beautifully restored French colonial villas on a pine-studded hillside, Ana Mandara Resort & Spa keeps the romance of Dalat alive. Luxury accommodation in the Central Highlands doesn’t get more atmospheric than this…

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  4. The Anam Mui Ne, Independent Review

    The Anam Mui Ne | Independent Review

    The latest luxury resort on the sands of Mui Ne beach, The Anam is an elegant, Indochine-themed property…

  5. InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Independent Review

    InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort | Independent Review

    Immaculately clean, well-designed, well-maintained, well-run & luxurious, the InterContinental features outstanding facilities, spacious & well-equipped rooms & a great beach…

  6. The Secret Con Dao Resort, Independent Review

    The Secret Con Dao | Independent Review

    Featuring minimalist décor & contemporary design, The Secret is a luxury resort on the beautiful & elegant seafront road on Côn Sơn Island…

  7. Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc, Independent Review, Vietnam

    Mövenpick Resort Waverly Phu Quoc | Independent Review

    An enormous, five-star accommodation on a long beachfront with great facilities, the Movenpick is ideal for large families with children or travelling groups…

  8. Victoria Can Tho Resort, Mekong Delta, Vietnam

    Victoria Can Tho Resort | Mekong Delta

    A handsome, colonial-style hotel on the banks of the Mekong River, Victoria Can Tho is an excellent place to stay with lots of ambience & plenty of amenities to match….

  9. Crown Retreat, Quy Nhon, Vietnam, Independent Review

    Crown Retreat Quy Nhon | Independent Review

    Situated on a long, sweeping bay north of Quy Nhơn on the south-central coast, the Crown Retreat is a tasteful, attractive, low-rise beach resort…

  10. Nam Nghi Coral Peninsula, Phu Quoc, Independent Review

    Nam Nghi Coral Peninsula | Phu Quoc

    Occupying a promontory draped in tropical foliage & surrounded by blue seas & coral reefs, Nam Nghi is a luxurious resort in a special natural setting…

  11. Premier Village Resort, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

    Premier Village Resort Phu Quoc | Independent Review

    A luxurious resort in a spectacular location comprised of large villas with private pools, two beaches & a plethora of high-end facilities. Premier Village would usually be out of my budget. But, due to unique pandemic-related circumstances, my friends & I were able to stay for a reduced rate…

  12. Mia Resort Nha Trang, Vietnam, Independent Review

    Mia Resort Nha Trang | Independent Review

    A crisp, clean & contemporary beach resort straddling the cliffs on the spectacular coast road south of Nha Trang, Mia is the embodiment of minimalist-chic….

  13. Elegant Suites Westlake, hotel & serviced apartments, Hanoi

    Elegant Suites Westlake, Hanoi

    Comfy, smart & luxurious but unpretentious, Elegant Suites is a great alternative to staying in the cramped streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Located in the well-to-do district of West Lake, it’s a chance to see a different, albeit more affluent, side of the capital. The facilities are fantastic & it’s perfect for families, couples, or business travellers….

  14. Fusion Suites, Vung Tau | Review

    With an immaculate rooftop infinity pool & sky bar with 360-degree views of the city & sea, Fusion Suites is set to become one of the most photographed places in Vung Tau…

  15. Ho Tram Boutique Beach Resort, Vietnam

    Ho Tram Beach Boutique Resort

    Just a couple of hours southeast of Saigon, Ho Tram Beach Resort is one of Vietnam’s most tasteful & charming coastal retreats. It’s romantic, elegant, refined yet understated, and blends in with the natural surrounds….

  16. La Vela Saigon Hotel, Independent Review

    La Vela Saigon Hotel | Independent Review

    A contemporary, stylish 5-star hotel in Saigon’s District 3 featuring one of the largest rooftop infinity pools in the world…

  17. Four Points Danang by Sheraton Hotels

    Four Points by Sheraton Danang | Independent Review

    On the seafront road along Danang’s long, sweeping beach, the Four Points by Sheraton is a high-rise hotel with a rooftop pool, bar and excellent views…

  18. Victoria Resort, Phan Thiet

    Victoria Beach Resort, Mui Ne

    One of the first luxury resorts to grace the sands of Mui Ne, Victoria Resort & Spa is still one of the best places to stay on this popular beach on Vietnam’s southeast coast. With lush tropical gardens & a long stretch of beach, Victoria is far more spacious than its competitors…

  19. The Myst Dong Khoi Hotel, Saigon, Vietnam

    The Myst Dong Khoi, Saigon

    The Myst is a new, quirky, stylish & elegant boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Saigon. From its enigmatic exterior to its eccentric interiors, The Myst is a bold & unique addition to the high-end hotel scene in Ho Chi Minh City…

  20. The Grand Ho Tram Casino & Resort

    The Grand Ho Tram Resort & Casino

    Big, indulgent & exceptionally good quality, The Grand Resort & Casino marks the beginning of the transformation of the quiet & unassuming coastline of Ho Tram, into what is hoped will become Vietnam’s answer to Macau & Las Vegas….

  21. Hotel Nikko, Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Hotel Nikko, Saigon

    Ever since it opened a few years ago, Hotel Nikko has set the standard for modern, sleek, chic, high-end accommodation in Saigon. Its success has spawned many decent imitators in the city, but Nikko still has the edge over its competitors…

Noodles

  1. Noodle Street: Nguyễn Qúy Đức, An Phú, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Noodle Street: Nguyễn Qúy Đức, District 2

    A wide variety of noodle dishes from across Vietnam all within a few steps of each other on a tree-lined street in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City…

  2. Best Phở in Saigon

    The Best Phở in Saigon

    It’s surprisingly difficult to find a truly outstanding bowl of phở (beef noodle soup) in Saigon. But, after 8 years living & eating in this city, I’ve finally found a place that, in my opinion, serves the best bowl of phở in Saigon…

  3. Ngoc Han Curry House, Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Cà Ri: Vietnamese Curry in Saigon

    Serving up a mild, thick & richly aromatic curry (cà ri) with chicken or shrimp, Ngọc Hân is a small, informal, well-organized, family-run soup house on Phan Xich Long Street, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)….

  4. Bún Kèn noodle soup, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

    Bún Kèn Noodles | Island Broth

    A speciality of Phu Quoc Island, bún kèn is an underrated dish that deserves a place in the pantheon of Vietnamese noodle soups. Packed with fish, fruit & colour, it’s a tropical island in a bowl.

  5. Bún Riêu Cua Ốc - crab & snail noodle soup, Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Bun Rieu Cua Oc: Crab & Snail Noodle Soup

    A broth of tomatoes & pulverized crab poured over white rice noodles & topped with marinated snails, bún riêu cua ốc is one of Vietnam’s most complex soups

  6. Slurping your noodles is good in Vietnam

    6 Reasons to Slurp Your Noodles

    Slurp and suck: this should be every traveller’s primary objective when sitting down to enjoy a bowl of one of Vietnam’s famous noodle soups. Here is my guide to why you should embrace local etiquette and leave your preconceived table manners at home….

  7. Instant Pot Noodles in Vietnam

    Instant Noodles: Pandemic Staple

    A national comfort food, a convenience, an indulgence & in some cases a necessity, instant noodles are a staple of the Vietnamese diet. During the pandemic, however, national consumption rose by 30%…

  8. Saigon's other Lunch Lady

    Saigon’s other Lunch Lady

    Everyone knows who Saigon’s Lunch Lady is, right? Well, probably not this one. Ms Nga is 43 years old. She serves a different soup each day of the week, from her cramped, ramshackle soup stall. Originally from Thai Binh (a northern province famous for producing excellent cooks), she moved to Saigon in the mid-90s…

  9. The Lunch Lady's Menu

    The Lunch Lady’s Menu: An Illustrated Guide

    The Lunch Lady in Saigon is famous for serving a different soup every day of the week. Here’s her weekly menu, illustrated with tantalizing images of each of the dishes…

  10. Bún Quậy Kiến Xây, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island

    Bún Quậy | ‘Stirring’ Noodles

    A seafood noodle soup native to Phu Quoc Island but with roots in the central coastal region of the mainland, bún quậy literally means ‘stirring noodles’…

  11. Bun mam soup

    Bún Mắm: the Mekong in a Bowl

    Bún Mắm is a robust Vietnamese soup from the Mekong Delta. It’s packed with contrasting flavours, textures and colours. You’ll find bún mắm all over southern Vietnam, but one place in Saigon is especially good.

  12. Goat noodle soup in Saigon, Vietnam

    Goat Noodle Soup in Chinatown

    Deep in Saigon’s Chinatown, there’s a bowl of goat noodles that’s meaty, rich, silky and smooth. This soup is full of farmyard flavours: it’s a barn in a bowl. Make no mistake, this is a heavy breakfast, but it’ll keep you going till the evening…

  13. Mì Quảng 85 Noodle House, Saigon

    Defined by its thick yellow noodles, crunchy rice crackers, quail eggs, fresh mint & salty-sweet sauce, mì quảng is a much-loved dish from Central Vietnam. The version at Mì Quảng 85 in Saigon is full of texture & colour, if a bit too sweet….

  14. Phở Gia Hân, Saigon

    Phở Gia Hân, Saigon

    I was first drawn to Phở Gia Hân by the enticing aroma that wafted over the narrow street on humid evenings. A family-run soup house in a local neighbourhood, this is one of my favourite places for phở in Saigon…

Ha Giang

  1. Ha Giang, Vietnam: A Picture Book

    Ha Giang Province | Picture Book

    One of the most visually arresting regions in the nation, Ha Giang is Vietnam’s northern-most province. This gallery features 50 images showcasing the beauty of Ha Giang in order to inspire wanderlust…

  2. Sapa to Ha Giang by motorbike on borders & back-roads, Vietnam

    Borders & Back-Roads: Sapa to Ha Giang by Motorbike

    Connecting two of the most mountainous provinces in Vietnam, this motorbike route straddles the Chinese border, passing through some of the remotest parts of the country…

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  4. Auberge de Meo Vac Mountain Lodge, Chung Pua, Ha Giang

    Auberge de Meo Vac Mountain Lodge, Ha Giang

    A timber, tile & rammed-earth structure encircling a stone courtyard surrounded by a stone wall with haunting limestone peaks looming all around, the Auberge de Meo Vac is a remarkably atmospheric place to stay in Vietnam’s northernmost province, Ha Giang….

  5. Ha Giang-Ba Be Lake-Cao Bang, road trip, Vietnam

    High Roads: Ha Giang→Ba Be Lake→Cao Bang | 3 Routes

    The roads between the northern provinces of Ha Giang & Cao Bang travel through some of the most spectacular & remote regions of Vietnam. Here are three highly scenic (but not always easy) motorbike routes linking Ha Giang, Ba Be Lake & Cao Bang….

  6. Pan Hou Village Ecolodge, Ha Giang, Vietnam

    Panhou Village Ecolodge, Ha Giang

    Deep within the folds of steep mountains & plunging valleys, Panhou Village Ecolodge is set in the middle of a remote & seldom-visited part of Ha Giang, Vietnam’s northernmost province….

  7. Ha Giang Extreme North Motorbike Loop, northern Vietnam

    Ha Giang Extreme North Motorbike Loop

    Ha Giang, Vietnam’s northern-most province, is home to a mythical landscape of conical limestone peaks & craterous valleys. Over the years, it has gained an almost legendary status among travellers. This motorbike loop is perhaps the most thrilling road trip in the country…

  8. Breakfast in Ha Giang

    When I had breakfast at a noodle house in Ha Giang, Vietnam’s northernmost frontier, it was one of those occasions when food, people and place come together perfectly…

Recently Published & Updated

  1. Crown Retreat, Quy Nhon, Vietnam, Independent Review

    Crown Retreat Quy Nhon | Independent Review

    Situated on a long, sweeping bay north of Quy Nhơn on the south-central coast, the Crown Retreat is a tasteful, attractive, low-rise beach resort…

  2. The Muong Long Loop, Nghe An, Motorbike Guide

    The Muong Long Loop | Nghe An Motorbike Guide

    A spectacular circuit of the nation’s biggest province, the Muong Long Loop is a motorbike route to rival any other in Vietnam for scenery & adventure…

  3. A Year of Contributing Writers on Vietnam Coracle

    A Year of Contributing Writers

    To celebrate 12 months of publishing content by other writers on Vietnam Coracle, I look back at what they’ve produced so far…

  4. Ode to Hammock Cafes in Vietnam: Cà Phê Võng

    Cà Phê Võng: Ode to Hammock Cafes

    Places to rest, drink, sleep, eat & take shelter when on the road, hammock cafes are a valuable resource for long-distance travellers in Vietnam…

  5. 23 Differences Travelling South to North Vietnam

    23 Differences from South to North Vietnam

    One of the most fascinating aspects of travelling through Vietnam is observing & experiencing the changes that occur from region to region

  6. Patreon Behind-the-Scenes Scrapbook, April 2023

    Behind-the-Scenes Special: ‘Reunited’

    I hadn’t seen my parents for 3 years, since they left Vietnam on one of the last flights out before borders closed due to the pandemic…

  7. Into the Wild Hike, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

    Into the Wild Hike & Camp | Phu Quoc Island

    A short, rewarding hike through thick jungle & down steep wooden ladders to a remote beach…

  8. Nam Nghi Coral Peninsula, Phu Quoc, Independent Review

    Nam Nghi Coral Peninsula | Phu Quoc

    Occupying a promontory draped in tropical foliage & surrounded by blue seas & coral reefs, Nam Nghi is a luxurious resort in a special natural setting…

  9. Son Homestay on the Western Ho Chi Minh Road, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam

    Son Homestay on the Western Ho Chi Minh Road

    A community-based project offering rustic yet cosy accommodation in a minority village on a great riding road…

  10. Tuyen Quang Magic 8 Loop, Motorbike Guide

    Tuyen Quang Magic ‘8’ Loop | Motorbike Guide

    A figure-of-eight loop on back-roads through quintessential northern landscapes not far from Hanoi…

  11. 11 Fresh Produce Local Markets in Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    11 Fresh Markets in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

    Local markets exist in another dimension to the rest of the city. Vibrant, bustling, fresh & organized, there’s magic in these markets…

  12. Farewell to my neighbourhood: Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Farewell My Neighbourhood

    After nearly 9 years, I’m leaving my neighbourhood in Saigon’s Binh Thanh District, where I have many memories of many people, places & experiences…

The Vietnam Coracle Map

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