Vietnam vs. Thailand for Traveling (I’ve Lived in Both)

The coastline in Da Nang, Vietnam, with palm trees, fishing boats, and hotels in the distance
Vietnam and Thailand are often compared for traveling, maybe because they’re in the same region, but that’s largely where the similarities end. I’ve lived in multiple cities in ...
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Exactly Where to Stay in Hanoi for First-Timers

Standing on the tracks at Hanoi Train Street in Vietnam
Planning your first trip to Hanoi can be overwhelming. If you’ve never been to Vietnam’s capital, zooming in on a map of Hanoi can lead you down rabbit ...
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Exactly What to Do in Hanoi for First-Timers

Crowds outside St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi, Vietnam
I recently flew from Da Nang up to Hanoi to get fresh first-hand info for this new guide. I spent considerable time and energy (walking between 5 and ...
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The Water Puppet Show in Hanoi: My Review & What to Expect

Guests taking their seats inside the Lotus Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi, Vietnam
No trip to Vietnam is complete without seeing a water puppet show in Hanoi (or Ho Chi Minh City). Water puppet theater is a traditional Vietnamese art dating ...
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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Museum and Stilt House in Hanoi

Outside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam
In Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square, there are several attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his namesake museum, and his former house — the Stilt House. Ba Dinh ...
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Visiting the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi

A painting by Vietnamese artist Nguyen Ngoc Dan showing a red stop light tangled with numerous electrical wires
The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi is the main art museum in Vietnam. It was opened in 1966, but it’s very clean and well-maintained inside. There ...
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The Temple of Literature in Hanoi: Vietnam’s First University

The Well of Heavenly Clarity in front of Khue Van Pavilion at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam
The Temple of Literature in Hanoi was built in 1070 and was Vietnam’s first university. Part of the temple (the Khue Van Pavilion and the Well of Heavenly ...
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Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi

Outside the Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi, Vietnam
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is a few minutes south of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. This is a very relaxed museum, spread over a few floors. The museum ...
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Hanoi Train Street Mini-Guide for First-Timers

Looking down the train tracks at Hanoi Train Street, with guests seated at coffee shops
I found it difficult to find clear information on visiting Hanoi Train Street, so after my first clueless visit, I decided to write this mini-guide. First of all, ...
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Visiting Hoa Lo Prison: AKA The Hanoi Hilton

The exterior of Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hoa Lo Prison is one of the more historic attractions in Hanoi. It’s also in a very convenient location, easily accessible on foot from anywhere in the Old ...
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