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    handpicked · independent

    Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom - eternal words of Ho Chi Minh

    Photo feature

    Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom - eternal words of Ho Chi Minh

    "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom". These eternal words of Ho Chi Minh,... enlarge

    FEATURES

    Vietnam in the 1990s - Qantas returns to Saigon

    Ho Chi Minh City Blog

    Vietnam in the 1990s - Qantas returns to Saigon

    In December 1990, I was aboard the first post-war Qantas flight to operate between Australia and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). It was a time of profound change in Vietnam... more

    Vietnam's first international tourism campaign - from 1991?

    Hue Blog

    Vietnam's first international tourism campaign - from 1991?

    I’m gonna hazard a guess that this was the first post-war Vietnam tourism promotion in a Western country. It was 1991 and Vietnam was just... more

    The drone - a symbol of heavy-handed self-centred tourism

    Hoi An Blog

    The drone - a symbol of heavy-handed self-centred tourism

    The drone has arrived. These high-impact flying machines are coming to a beautiful place near you. The drone has transitioned from... more

    A new heritage landmark in Hanoi?

    Hanoi Blog

    A new heritage landmark in Hanoi?

    A grand heritage building is being renovated in Hanoi’s picturesque Ba Dinh District. This is the nicest part of the capital - though few... more

    Tips for taking photos in Vietnam - people and ideas of beauty

    Hanoi Blog

    Tips for taking photos in Vietnam - people and ideas of beauty

    Taking photos of the local people you encounter as a traveller is complicated anywhere. In Vietnam, the locals have been remarkably... more

    A peek inside one of Hanoi's grand colonial villas

    Hanoi Blog

    A peek inside one of Hanoi's grand colonial villas

    A French colonial villa on Hanoi’s Chan Cam St has become one of the most photographed colonial ruins in the city. These days it’s... more

    Introducing a special new tour by Rusty Compass - Vietnam by the Book

    Hanoi Blog

    Introducing a special new tour by Rusty Compass - Vietnam by the Book

    It's more than 25 years since I ran my first tour through Vietnam. After a long break from leading tours, I now head back out on the road... more

    RECENT REVIEWS

    4P's Pizza, Hanoi

    Hanoi eating

    4P's Pizza, Hanoi

    Saigon’s most popular pizza - Japanese owned 4P’s - moved to Hanoi in 2016. At time of writing (2019) its successful Hanoi flagship off Ly Quoc Su... more

    Muoi Tieu Cafe, Hanoi

    Hanoi eating

    Muoi Tieu Cafe, Hanoi

    Muoi Tieu is a friendly husband and wife run cafe serving tasty breakfast and lunch fare, and good coffee. It's located downtown in a colonial era... more

    Pu Luong

    Pu Luong Introduction

    Pu Luong

    Pu Luong Nature Reserve, around 4 hours south of Hanoi, is one of the most spectacular areas of Vietnam’s north with soaring limestone peaks and... more

    West Lake - a guide to eating in Hanoi's expat enclave

    Hanoi eating

    West Lake - a guide to eating in Hanoi's expat enclave

    If you’re spending more than a couple of days in Hanoi, it’ll be worth checking out the cafe and restaurant scene in the West Lake expat area, known... more

    Quan Chay Dam vegetarian restaurant, Hoi An

    Hoi An eating

    Quan Chay Dam vegetarian restaurant, Hoi An

    Madam Dam has been serving up her vegetarian buffet down this alley for a long time. She’s the star at her friendly family run eatery. It’s a casual... more

    Coffee culture - Hoi An's best coffee

    Hoi An eating

    Coffee culture - Hoi An's best coffee

    Hoi An's coffee scene has been transformed over the past few years. You won't need to search far for a great cup in a cool space. Here are our... more