If the only gondola you're familiar with is the kind being paddled around the canals of Venice, then you've been missing out. In Vietnam, a cable car, aerial tram or gondola ride entails a comfortable and scenic ride in an enclosed cabin that will take you effortlessly to the top of the rugged mountainous landscape via a series of cables and stanchions. A ride in one of …
South to North Vietnam Motorbike Route – HCMC to Hanoi
If just one experience could define Southeast Asian adventures, it would be motorbiking across Vietnam. Whether north-to-south or south-to-north, a 2000 km traverse of Vietnam’s hyperkinetic highways and twisting country roads on your own two wheels is a journey that will leave you with stories to tell for years to come. Like many travelers, a friend and I started our …
Ha Giang Loop – North Vietnam
If you’re in Northern Vietnam and looking for adventure far from the well-worn trails, there is one place that deserves to be right at the top of your travel list: the Ha Giang Loop. Here, deep in the Dong Van Karst Plateau, you’ll find jaw-dropping mountain vistas, vibrant ethnic traditions, all the open roads you could ever hope for, and more. Almost unknown until a few …
Tram Ton Pass – Sapa
Perhaps the best view in Sapa is located at Tram Ton Pass, 3 km away from O Quy Ho Pass. A view at the summit will reveal stunning, sweeping panoramic views of the mountains, valleys, and forests below. With a height of over 1,900 meters, Tram Ton Pass is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam and is often referred to as Heaven’s Gate due to its soaring height. Just west of …
O Quy Ho Pass – Sapa
O Quy Ho Pass, also known as Hoang Lien, can be found in the town of Sapa in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains. Rising 2,000 meters above sea level, the 50km mountain pass is considered one of the most mystical attractions in the entire region. If you’re determined to find the best view in town, O Quy Ho Pass has everything you could ask for. Its sweeping, panoramic views of the …
Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI) by Da Lat
Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI) is one of Vietnam’s modernization success stories, with a flashy new terminal, modern runway infrastructure, and growing popularity as an international destination. The airport itself is located around 30km (18 miles) from Da Lat, and offers a range of domestic and international flights. History of DLI Airpot The airport itself is …
Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) by Hue
Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) is located on the stunning Vietnam coastline just south of the former capital of Hue. However, unlike other coastal airports like Nha Trang and Da Nang, this airport has not seen the result of government funding yet and is very much overcapacity. History of HUI Airport The Vietnam government has fast-tracked this airport for development and …
Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) by Hai Phong
Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) is located between the Chinese border and Hanoi. It's because of its unique political location that the airport has a long history of military use during the Indo-China War and the subsequent Vietnam War, before transitioning into a modern civilian airport. To avoid confusion, the airport also goes under the name Hai Phong International …
What natural disasters occur in Vietnam?
Aside from its endless gorgeous scenery and diverse culture, Vietnam is prone to experiencing a few kinds of natural disasters. Even though these events usually happen during particular seasons and regions, it's a good idea to be aware of the types of extreme weather that can be disruptive and happen during your travels. Nestled in southeastern Asia, Vietnam resides in both …
How to Get From Hanoi to Sapa
Sapa is one of the most visited destinations in North Vietnam, with tourists arriving year-round from Hanoi. There are several ways to reach this mountain town from Vietnam's capital city, including train, bus, shuttle, and motorbike. The closest airport to Sapa is Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, so that’s the one you’ll fly into to start your journey. From Hanoi, a …
Is Vietnam a safe place to travel?
Travelers will be glad to know that Vietnam is a safe country to country to visit during any time of the year. Like any place, there are risks that are easily minimized with common sense and basic travel tips. Walk along the beaches, hike through the lush mountains, and visit cultural sites with relative ease because violent crime is uncommon. If you respect the culture and …
Reunification Express Train from Hanoi to Saigon
Vietnam's landscapes are beautiful, sprawling, and diverse, featuring everything from high mountains to white-sand beaches. The country’s vast size and small width mean that one of the easiest ways to travel is by train. There is only one main railway line crossing the whole country, and that is the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City line. While it is not a modern bullet train with …
Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC)
Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) is the main international airport for the Vietnam island of Phu Quoc and one of the youngest airports in Vietnam. Construction of the terminal building and the 3 km long runway was completed in December 2012 with the first flight landing just before New Years Day. What issues other Vietnam airports might be challenged with, Phu Quoc seems …
Vinasun Taxi – HCMC/Hanoi
There are around 30,000 taxis in Ho Chi Minh City so, if you’re looking for a ride, a cab is never far away. One of the most well-known brands is Vinasun taxi. You can easily spot their white or white, Vinasun-branded cars darting through the city streets or lined up outside the airport when you arrive. Vinasun also operates out of other cities in Vietnam, such as Da Nang …
Mai Linh Taxi – HCMC/Hanoi
If you’re looking for a taxi in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, but you aren’t sure which company to choose, Mai Linh Taxi is one of the biggest names in the business. Established in 1993, Mai Linh has built up a strong track record, and their cars a regular sight on the streets of Saigon. If you have seen bright green cars with branding stickers among the city’s hectic traffic, …
Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
Da Nang Airport (DAD) is the port of entry for the city of Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam, as well as many different regional attractions, such as the popular My Khe beach or the UNESCO cultural village of Hoi An. The airport may have humble origins as a small regional airfield for colonial France, but thanks to the region swapping hands between so many …
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) – HCMC
Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is the biggest airport in Vietnam and an essential part of the tapestry of Vietnam's history. There are two terminals, one for international flights and another for domestic. History Naturally, this airport’s international code reveals much more history than it may suggest, with the code SGN standing for Ho Chi Minh …
Ride-sharing in Vietnam: Be
Despite Uber exiting the Vietnamese market in 2018, the ride-sharing industry is booming. One of the most prominent players, alongside market leaders Grab and Gojek, is Be. Be has a fleet of over 100,000 drivers, and you can easily spot their distinctive yellow jackets, reminiscent of an actual bee, nipping through the city traffic. Until recently, Be was held back by a …
Ride-sharing in Vietnam: Gojek
If you’re looking for an Uber in Vietnam, you might be surprised to hear that the ride-hailing giant exited southeast Asia in 2018. But thankfully, some excellent ride-sharing alternatives have sprung up in their place, with one of the biggest and best known being Gojek, formerly called GoViet. Gojek has already made significant strides against their main competitor, Grab. …
Ride-sharing in Vietnam: Grab
If you’re in Vietnam and looking for an easy way to get around, your first question will probably be, “Is there Uber in Vietnam?!” Well, you can’t get an Uber, but don’t worry, there are some excellent ride-sharing alternatives, such as Grab. Based on the Uber business model, Grab has taken the Asian market by storm. The Singapore-based company was launched in 2012 and has …