The Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Visiting in 2026

Feeding carrots to a giraffe at the Saigon Zoo in Ho Chi Minh City
The Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens opened in 1869 and is one of the most popular attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, especially among locals. The zoo reportedly ...
READ MORE

3 Best Gyms in Hoi An: Day Passes, Costs & Locations

A lot of exercise machines and people training inside HealthFit Gym in Hoi An, Vietnam
I’ve worked out at several different gyms in Hoi An over the years. There are a bunch of gyms spread around town. Many of them are hit-or-miss as ...
READ MORE

Dragon Bridge in Da Nang: Seeing the Fire-Breathing Show

Da Nang's Dragon Bridge breathing fire, with hundreds of tourists gathered around
By spending a few days in Da Nang, you’ll have many, many opportunities to see the Dragon Bridge. The head of the Dragon Bridge is in Son Tra, ...
READ MORE

19 Great Places to Eat in Hoi An: A Local’s Guide for 2026

Outside Orivy Restaurant in Hoi An, Vietnam
If you’re planning to visit Hoi An, the last thing you need to worry about is where to eat. There are tons of places to eat in Hoi ...
READ MORE

Is Hanoi Worth Visiting? Reasons to Visit or Skip in 2026

The large bronze statue of Ho Chi Minh inside the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi
I’ve spoken to plenty of travelers who loved visiting Hanoi (plus, lots of expats live there for a reason) and others who visited and couldn’t wait to leave. ...
READ MORE

Is Nha Trang Worth Visiting? Reasons to Visit or Skip

Cable cars going over the ocean in Nha Trang, Vietnam
I recently visited Nha Trang again, which I suppose should tell you that the city is worth visiting. There are a lot of great reasons to visit Nha ...
READ MORE

5 Great Reasons to Visit Ninh Binh

Hoa Lu Old Town in Ninh Binh at sunset
If you’re planning a trip to Hanoi, Ninh Binh is likely on your radar. It’s one of those bonus cities in Vietnam that’s usually tacked onto a trip ...
READ MORE

Vietnam vs. Thailand: Which is Better for Traveling?

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 ...
READ MORE

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 ...
READ MORE

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 ...
READ MORE
1237 Next