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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

    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 one of the many striking things about this... 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

    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

    RECENT REVIEWS

    Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi

    Hanoi see and do

    Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi

    Vietnamʼs most important collection of painting, sculpture, lacquer and other objects is set in a French colonial building not far from Ba Dinh... more

    Hanoi House Cafe, Hanoi

    Hanoi eating

    Hanoi House Cafe, Hanoi

    One of a handful of cafes that overlook Hanoi’s St Joseph’s Cathedral. Good for a view and a cup of tea or a local coffee. There ain't much else... more

    La Place Cafe, Hanoi

    Hanoi eating

    La Place Cafe, Hanoi

    Overlooking St Joseph’s cathedral in a classic colonial era space with original tiles and some original features. Reasonable cafe food and coffee.... more

    Food Street - Tong Duy Tan St, Hanoi

    Hanoi eating

    Food Street - Tong Duy Tan St, Hanoi

    Tong Duy Tan St, aka. Food Street, is towards Ba Dinh Square from Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It’s a strip of mainly local eateries that gets especially... more

    60 Square, Hanoi

    Hanoi see and do

    60 Square, Hanoi

    Hanoi’s 60 Square is an enclave of heritage buildings hosting cafes, boutiques and a developing art scene. It’s a little away from the centre of the... more

    Rosie's Cafe, Hoi An

    Hoi An eating

    Rosie's Cafe, Hoi An

    ROSIE'S RELOCATED IN MAY 2019 TO MAC DINH CHI ST HOI AN - OUTSIDE THE OLD TOWN. WE HAVEN'T VISITED THE NEW LOCATION YET.Lovely little cafe down an... more