After exploring Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon, as I love to call it) on a motorbike for over 10 years, these streets feel like my playground. I believe the best travel moments happen when you discover something unexpected. My goal is simple: to share my favorite parts of the city with you, so you can experience the real, everyday magic of my home.
Discover the breathtaking diversity of Vietnam through its dramatic topography in our ultimate guide to 15 majestic Vietnamese mountain peaks. Spanning from the misty North to the tropical South, this comprehensive guide reveals the best treks, cultural sites, and hidden vistas for every traveler. Chase clouds atop the towering Fansipan, explore spiritual caves at the Marble Mountains, or seek blessings at the sacred Black Virgin Mountain. Beyond breathtaking views, each peak offers a deep dive into local history and biodiversity. Finally, descend from these serene heights to experience the vibrant, street-level pulse of Saigon on an unforgettable vintage Vespa tour.
Vietnam has more than 3,200 kilometers of coastline, but not all beaches offer the same experience. This guide explains how Vietnam’s beaches really work and why some are clean and calm, others seasonal or wind-exposed, and how resorts often shape the quality of the beach itself. From island beaches like Phú Quốc and Côn Đảo to mainland coasts such as Đà Nẵng and Nha Trang, you’ll learn where to go, when to visit, and what to realistically expect.
Breakfast food Vietnam is hot, savory, filling, and rarely eaten at home. By 6 a.m., sidewalks across the country are already alive with steaming noodle pots, clinking bowls, and locals finishing a full meal before the workday even starts. This is not a “light breakfast culture,” and it’s exactly why Western-style fast food never became Vietnam’s default morning choice.
If there is one night when Saigon truly refuses to sleep, it is Ho Chi Minh City New Year’s Eve. As the final hours of December 31st tick away, the city shifts into a very particular rhythm: part celebration, part chaos, part collective release. Fireworks crack over the Saigon River, street corners turn into spontaneous dance floors, cafés overflow onto sidewalks, and traffic transforms into a slow-moving parade of horns, laughter, and phone cameras pointed skyward.
When people hear “Vietnam New Year”, most immediately think of Tết Nguyên Đán, the Lunar New Year that shuts the country down for days, even weeks. But the New Year on January 1st is a very different story, and for travelers, often a surprisingly enjoyable one.
If you’ve ever imagined Vietnam beyond its buzzing cities, picture this: quiet canals lined with coconut palms, long wooden boats slicing through a morning fog, vendors calling out from floating markets at sunrise, and a pace of life that hasn’t changed in generations. That’s the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, a region woven from rivers, orchards, and communities that live by the rhythm of the water.
If you're wondering what Christmas in Vietnam actually looks like, you're not alone. Travelers often ask: Do they celebrate Christmas in Vietnam? Is it a public holiday? Is Christmas big here? And the answer surprises almost everyone: Yes, Vietnam celebrates Christmas with far more color, lights, and street energy than many Western travelers expect.
The moment you step out of the aircraft and feel the warm, slightly humid Saigon air rushing toward you, you realize you’ve arrived somewhere alive. The gentle roar of motorbikes hums even from outside the glass walls, mingling with the smell of strong Vietnamese coffee drifting from the terminal cafés. Tan Son Nhat International Airport may not be the most massive in Asia, but it’s one of the most spirited, a gateway that perfectly mirrors the energy of the city waiting beyond its gates.
Halloween - the global celebration of costumes, imagination, and mischief - will fall on Friday, October 31, 2025, marking the start of a vibrant long weekend across Vietnam.
By late October, Saigon turns into a cinematic dream. The tropical night air hums with excitement. Cafés play spooky jazz instead of soft pop, shopping malls glow orange, and shopfronts are covered in webs and flickering lights. Even the streets seem to pulse with anticipation — witches, ghosts, and cartoon heroes wander beneath glowing palm trees.
This is Tết Trung Thu, and you've arrived at the perfect moment. As a local who has grown up with the wonders of this festival, I want to take you beyond the typical tourist guides. I want to show you the heart and soul of Tết Trung Thu—the stories we tell, the foods we share, and the places we go to feel its full spirit.
That's precisely why this guide exists. We are here to be your calm, trusted companion, walking you through every step of the process. Our goal is to replace that feeling of overwhelm with pure, unadulterated excitement for the journey ahead. From identifying a top-tier tour operator on Tripadvisor, understanding the crucial issue of travel insurance, planning your logistics, choosing the right itinerary, to sharing the fun, local secrets that no one else tells you, this article is everything you need to confidently begin the adventure of a lifetime.
This comprehensive guide is designed to be your most trusted and honest advisor. We will move beyond simple suggestions and dive deep into the A-Z of rainy season travel. We'll meticulously analyze the pros and cons, classify destinations with a clear "Green Flag" (Go for it!) and "Red Flag" (Think twice!) system, provide an exhaustive packing and safety checklist, and detail hyper-specific itineraries and activities for each recommended location. Together, let's transform your weather-related anxiety into a masterfully crafted adventure plan.
Hoi An’s the ultimate holiday spot with many things to do, culture, beaches, rice fields, total chill vibes, and prices that won’t wreck your budget. Solo trip? Family getaway? Adventure with friends? Hoi An ticks all the boxes.
If you're asking yourself what the best pho in Ho Chi Minh City is, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this iconic dish, from its history to the secrets that make a perfect bowl. Get ready to discover why pho is more than just a dish, it's a piece of Vietnam's soul.
If you're asking yourself what souvenirs to buy in Hanoi, you've come to the right place. Bringing a gift home from Vietnam's capital is about more than just an object; it’s about capturing a piece of the city's ancient soul. Each of these Hanoi souvenirs tells a story - of thousand-year-old craft villages, of unique flavors, and of a rich, vibrant culture.
This guide will walk you through the best things to buy in Hanoi, from traditional art to modern fashion. We'll show you not just what to get, but also the most reliable places to find them, so you can bring home a truly authentic memory of your journey.
While many visitors stick to the buzzing heart of District 1, those in the know are quietly making their way south - to District 7, Saigon’s cleanest, greenest, and calmest neighborhood. Often nicknamed "Singapore of Saigon or Korea Town" District 7 is a polished mix of urban planning, wide boulevards, and stylish living, yet it still holds onto the vibrancy that makes Vietnam so captivating.
This district is where new meets old in the most graceful way, where upscale shopping malls sit just a few blocks from mom-and-pop noodle shops, and modern architecture shares space with quiet canals.
If the districts of Saigon were a symphony, District 2 would be the unexpected crescendo - a rising harmony of cosmopolitan vibes, quiet riverfront charm, and pockets of old Saigon soul. Located across the Saigon River from the city center, District 2 has evolved from a sleepy suburb into one of the most dynamic and desirable areas in Ho Chi Minh City.
It’s where fancy expat cafés & restaurants live next door to family-run food stalls, where luxury condos overlook local slums, and where every corner, whether sleek and shiny or rough around the edges, tells a fascinating story.
When visitors come to Saigon, they often see the chaotic charm of District 1. But just beyond the tourist bustle lies District 3, a neighborhood steeped in history, culture, and local flavor. It's where Saigon's old soul still lingers, French villas rub shoulders with street food stalls, and hidden alleys hold their local secrets and gems that guidebooks rarely mention.
Discover the vibrant world of custom tailoring in Saigon! From fabric shopping at bustling markets to full-service tailors crafting bespoke suits, this guide covers everything you need to create high-quality, personalized fashion that fits your style and budget.
Exchange foreign currency in Ho Chi Minh City hassle-free with tips on banks, licensed counters, gold shops, and ATMs for the best rates and safety.
Wondering what's the best time to visit Saigon? Here's our guide to the best time to go to Ho Chi Minh city, including weather patterns and activities in each season.
Ho Chi Minh City, or simply Saigon, is known as the city that never sleeps. One of the factors that contribute to the “sleepless activities” is all the vibrant cool bars where the city dwellers, especially the youngsters, love to hang out with their friends and date after a hard working day. Take a tour with us to see those 5 top bars in our opinion that cover all the bases, from the small streets to the fancy rooftop, with styles and quality that can satisfy the most demanding guests.
