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    From the archive: The Last President's Driver

    Photo feature

    From the archive: The Last President's Driver

    This man, Cu Thach Banh, was the driver for South Vietnam's last President, Duong Van Minh. I met... enlarge

    FEATURES

    Is the tide turning against heritage destruction in Vietnam?

    Ho Chi Minh City Blog

    Is the tide turning against heritage destruction in Vietnam?

    The past decade has been devastating for Vietnam’s built heritage. Three recent decisions suggest that the tide may be finally turning in favour of the country's rich... more

    The other remarkable thing about Pu Luong Vietnam? No piles of plastic

    Pu Luong Blog

    The other remarkable thing about Pu Luong Vietnam? No piles of plastic

    Pu Luong, around four hours south of Hanoi, looks set to become the “next’ destination in Vietnam’s breathtaking mountainous north. And... more

    One of Vietnam's most historic churches faces demolition

    Hanoi Blog

    One of Vietnam's most historic churches faces demolition

    Vietnam’s three decades of rapid economic growth have not been so good for the country’s built heritage. The distinctive Bui Chu Cathedral... more

    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... 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

    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

    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

    RECENT REVIEWS

    Casa Italia Restaurant, Hanoi

    Hanoi eating

    Casa Italia Restaurant, Hanoi

    Part restaurant and part showroom for Italian luxury brands - Maserati, Vespa and Armani - Casa Italia is located in a grand colonial-era villa in... more

    Tam Vi Restaurant, Hanoi

    Hanoi eating

    Tam Vi Restaurant, Hanoi

    Delicious Vietnamese cuisine - the stuff Vietnamese eat rather than a hybrid for tourists - in a cool design space. These places are rare in Hanoi.... more

    Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi

    Hanoi see and do

    Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi

    An early morning or late afternoon spent wandering around legendary Hoan Kiem Lake is a perfect way to start or end any Hanoi day. The lake is the... more

    Long Bien Bridge

    Hanoi see and do

    Long Bien Bridge

    A Hanoi icon in all senses, the Long Bien Bridge - formerly known as the Paul Doumer Bridge - was one of the greatest engineering accomplishments of... more

    Train Street - Hanoi

    Hanoi see and do

    Train Street - Hanoi

    Hanoi’s “Train Street” is a narrow stretch of railway line through the heart of the old town that became an Instagram sensation in 2017. It's now... more

    Hanoi see and do

    Hanoi see and do

    Hanoi see and do

    Hanoi is one of Asia’s most visually exciting cities. Its packed streets are also some of Asia's craziest. Watch your step as you negotiate the... more