What’s worth getting up for at 04:00 on a chilly Sunday morning in Hanoi? A sunrise photography tour of Long Bien market with Vietnam In Focus, that’s what. A combined desire to improve my photography skills, visit Long Bien market at the crack of dawn and write about it gave me the motivation to hold … read the full post

Southern Vietnam’s coastal city of Vung Tau makes for an interesting, easy and cheap daytrip from Saigon — go by hydrofoil, see the sights, have a splash at the beach and enjoy the food. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it. To make Vung Tau and back in a day, travel by hydrofoil. … read the full post

It’s not top of any must-do list in travel guides, but a visit to Hanoi’s chaotic Long Bien market is a fascinating exposure to the life of a large proportion of Hanoi residents. But you’ll need to get up early — very early. Long Bien market, located next to Long Bien bridge, alongside the dyke … read the full post

If you have a little extra cash to spend on your accommodation in Vietnam’s Hoi An, Hoi An Marina and Spa Resort offers just 12 suites set in spacious, lovely gardens at rates representing solid value for what you get. The Marina is tucked away on the far corner of the up and coming islet … read the full post

Tucked away by the river’s edge a 50-metre stroll over to the “other side” of the Japanese Bridge is Ca Mai — also known as Mai Fish — with an unashamedly small menu featuring humble, old school central and southern Vietnamese dishes at good prices. Mai Fish, run by the owner of Mango Mango on … read the full post

On top of the hill referred to locally as Big Mountain, the Ho May Cultural and Eco-Tourism Park in Vung Tau, also known as Cloud Lake Resort, is a sprawling park, zoo and amusement park rolled into one — it may remind you of a smaller scale Nha Trang’s Vinpearl Land. From the top of … read the full post

The coastal city of Vung Tau, 90 minutes from Saigon by way of hydrofoil, is a popular destination for those looking to escape the big city. Although it’s a beach town, getting off the beach can lead to some interesting finds, including the Binh Minh Cable Car Resort, just up the hill from Vung Tau’s … read the full post

You could easily eat noodle dishes in Hanoi for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a week and still not have the same meal twice. Here’s our quick guide to what’s what when it comes to noodles in the Vietnamese capital. Let’s start with the most well-known: pho. As we highlighted some time ago, pho is … read the full post

We’ve all done it, dragged a skuzzy backpack through some pretty skanky hostels, got so used to washing with a bucket of cold water that a dip in a highly chlorinated pool makes us feel unusually clean, trading conditioner for dreadlocks and razors for a patchy beard, because when you’re on the road anything goes … read the full post

The coastal city of Vung Tau, a relatively short hydrofoil boat ride from Saigon proper, makes for a relaxing weekend trip from the bustling city. Although it’s most popular for its somewhat average beach, a way to get a taste of Vietnamese local life is to head downtown to watch the greyhound races at one … read the full post