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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Visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi

A Tay House example at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam
If you’re visiting Hanoi for a few days, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology should be added to your itinerary. It focuses on the different ethnic groups of Vietnam. ...
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Visiting the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi

The front of the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi, with the 45-meter tall Victory Tower on the right
The Vietnam Military History Museum is a huge and newly opened (November 2024) museum in Hanoi. The museum was originally located within the city, near the Imperial Citadel ...
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Ba Na Hills in Da Nang: Exactly What to Know Before You Visit

Crowds at the French Village in Ba Na Hills
Let me say that you could probably fill up your phone’s entire storage taking pictures of Ba Na Hills in Da Nang. It is one of the most ...
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Is Hue Worth Visiting? Reasons to Visit or Skip

The Phuoc Duyen Tower at Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, Vietnam
In my Vietnam travel planning groups, I get asked this question a lot: Anthony, do you think Hue is worth visiting? And I always share the same thought: ...
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Hoi An Memories Show: Seeing the Best Show in Hoi An (2026)

The nighttime outdoor performance of the Hoi An Memories Show
I saw the Hoi An Memories Show on back-to-back nights (Sunday and Monday). I initially only planned on going the one time, but I left surprised at how ...
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