About Ben Hoffman

Ben Hoffman is a full time Blogger who lives between Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Sydney, Australia writing about Travel, Technology and Camera Gear. Google+

Vietnam Border Crossings

Vietnam shares 13 International border crossings with China, Laos and Cambodia each country and each border crossing has different rules for entering. For instance some border crossings into the same country accept visa on arrival where as others do not therefore it is important to do a little … [Read more...]

Vietnam China Border Crossings

Vietnam and China share three international border crossings at Mong Cai Dong Hung, Dong Dang Ping Xian, and Lao Cai Hekou. Tips for Vietnam China Border Crossings: Visa on arrival into Vietnam is not available, travellers should ensure they obtain the correct visa before trying to enter … [Read more...]

Vietnam Laos Border Crossings

Vietnam shares six international border crossings with Laos, which are fairly evenly spread along this their borders. Tips for Vietnam Laos Border Crossings Visa on arrival into Laos from Vietnam is available at all border crossings at a cost of US $30-40, which can be paid in Dong, Kip or … [Read more...]

Vietnam Cambodia Border Crossings

For travellers wanting a different experience rather than the regular fly-in fly-out trip travelling between Vietnam and Cambodia by bus via one of the Vietnam Cambodia border crossings is a viable option. Another great travel option is travelling from Vietnam to Cambodia (or vice versa) via the … [Read more...]

How to Obtain a Vietnamese Driver’s or Motorbike License

If you need to drive a motorbike anywhere in Vietnam, it is important to obtain a local Vietnamese Drivers or Riders License, as Vietnam does not recognise international driver’s license Note: not  Penalties for are quite severe if you injure or cause death to another driver and you are found … [Read more...]

Vietnam Airlines Nha Trang Moscow Direct Service is Launched

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777 to Service Nha Trang to Moscow route

A direct airline service between Nha Trang and Moscow was launched today by Vietnam Airlines providing passengers a 1X week service. The Inaugural Nha Trang Moscow service flying under VN071 was serviced by a Boeing 777 and left Nha Trang’s Cam Ranh Airport at 11:15 am. This 1 time a week … [Read more...]

Vietnamese New Year Tet Festival and Dates

Tet 2011 Tet New Year Lion

Tết Nguyên Đán or simply Tet is Vietnam’s New Year festival and is the most important festival in Vietnamese culture.  As Tet is the celebration of the first day of the lunar calendar so it’s celebrated on a different day each year on a 12 year cycle. Tet was introduced to Vietnam by … [Read more...]

Etihad Airways Ho Chi Minh City Flights set from October 2013

Etihad Airways Ho Chi Minh City Services Airbus A330-200 - 2

Etihad Airways will begin Ho Chi Minh City services from 1 October 2013 making Vietnam Etihad’s 6th ASEAN destination. Current timetables on the Etihad Airways site indicate show the following details for the flight Origin Destination Flight No Depart Arrive Abu Dhabi (AHU) Ho … [Read more...]

Vietnam Airlines Baggage Allowances

Vietnam Airlines checked baggage limit allowance

If you are flying to or within Vietnam with the countries national carrier Vietnam Airlines, it is important to note the airline has several different baggage allowances that vary depending on several factors, such as your travel class, if you are travelling domestic or International and for … [Read more...]

Saigon Ho Chi Minh City Travel and Destination Guide

Ho Chi Minh City night

Saigon known today as Ho Chi Minh City and is the largest city in Vietnam which is officially home to nearly 8 million people (in reality it’s a lot more) and is the business and economic capital of Vietnam. Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City will find it a youthful and vibrant and city, that is … [Read more...]

Saigon Central Post Office Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Central Post Office Front Building

The Saigon Central Post Office (Bưu điện thành phố Hồ Chí Minh) is located in District 1 of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) directly across the road from Saigon’s Notre dame cathedral and within walking distance from other recommended District 1 attractions such as Ben Thanh Market, … [Read more...]

Saigon Train Station Ga Sai Gon

Saigon Tran Station Ga Sai Gon

Saigon Train Station (Ga Sài Gòn) is located at 1 Nguyen Thong Street, District 2 Ho Chi Minh City which is around 3 Km from Ben Thanh Market. Popular Stops or small trips from Saigon along the Vietnam Railways network include: Trip Cost VND (US/AU $) Duration Saigon - … [Read more...]

Mien Dong Bus Station (Eastern Bus Station) Ho Chi Minh City

Mien Dong Bus Station Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Mien Dong (Bến xe Miền Đông) is Ho Chi Minh Cities busiest regional bus station in Ho Chi Minh City and the port for most buses coming from or going to Eastern as well as Northern towns and provences. In total Mien Dong Bus station has buses going to/from around 160 towns and cities some of … [Read more...]

Mien Tay Bus Station (Western Bus Station) Ho Chi Minh City

Mien Tay Bus Station Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Located some 10 KM South West of District 1 Mien Tay Bus Terminal is the regional Bus Station for buses to and from Southern and Western towns and Provences, namley the Mekong region on top of this there are also bus services operating to/from Cambodia from this station. In total Ben Xe Mien Tay … [Read more...]

Ho Chi Minh City Inaugurates first Inner River Tourist Route

Ho Chi Minh City Boat Cruise

The Indochina Junk Company has officially inaugurated the cities first inner waterway cruise, operating on Vietnam’s National day 2nd September the cruise boat took 25 passengers from  Bach Dang Quay in District 1 then along Ben Nghe and Tau Hu canals, parallel to Vo Van Kiet Avenue, for four … [Read more...]

Vietnamese bread rolls Banh Mi Thit

Vietnamese Pork Roll Banh Mi Thit

Along with architecture and café culture one of the good things that came out of the 100 year rule of Vietnam by the French, was the French style bread. Bánh mì thịt or the humble Vietnamese bread roll is a fusion of East and West with bread and Paté fused with chả lụa (Vietnamese ham) … [Read more...]

Authorities in Hanoi asked to Crackdown on Tourist Scams

Hanoi Fruit Vendor Tourist Scam Vietnam

Authorities in Vietnam’s northern capital of Hanoi have raised concerns of and asked authorities to crackdown on street vendors who harass and cheat tourists. Mai Tien Dung Vice director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested that authorities in Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh … [Read more...]

Top Must See Attractions on a Trip to Vietnam

Cai Rang Floating Market Can Tho

Vietnam is such a diverse and stunning country, with awe inspiring landscapes that is matched by a rich yet sometimes turbulent history and a people that are always welcoming, this is Vietnam a country that has something for every traveller. Since there are so many things to see and do in Vietnam … [Read more...]

Bánh Xèo Crispy Vietnamese Pancake

Ho Chi Minh City Taxis

How can anyone resist a crispy pancake filled with pork and prawn, then wrapped in Vietnamese Lettuce along with Vietnamese mints finally dipped in Nước mắm chấm and eaten, this is Bánh Xèo or Crispy Vietnamese Pancake. On my first visit to Vietnam about 10 years ago I had not heard of … [Read more...]

Nhà Hàng Ngon Restaurant Ho Chi Minh City

Nha Hang Ngon 160 Pasture St District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

From my first time in Vietnam An Ngon Restaurant was my favourite restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City when I first arrived I returned several times in the first few weeks. However things have changed in the last 10 years for a start the original Ngon is no longer known as Quan An Ngon its now Nha Hang … [Read more...]

Saigon Ho Chi Minh City Taxi Guide

Saigon Ho Chi Minh City Taxis Mai Linh Taxi

Taxis and Transport in Vietnam especially Saigon can be a daunting experience, as there is a large number of fake taxis on the streets as well as some of the real ones just aren’t up to any decent standard. The good news is that there are several Saigon Ho Chi Minh City Taxi companies that do … [Read more...]

Best Blogs and Websites about Travelling or Living in Vietnam

Vietnam Mekong River Food Seller Watermelon

I have been meaning to create a blog roll for a while with all the blogs and web sites that have useful information about travelling, living or doing business in Vietnam, so I decided to create this post which will form the basis of the blog roll for Vietnam Travel Guy Vietnam720 – This very … [Read more...]

New Luxury Ships Set for Mekong Tours

Mekong Prestige Luxury Vietnamese Cruise ship launched

The two 68m long ships were recently built that are destined for Mekong River tours between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City. Both ships are equipped with 32 luxury cabins and 64 passengers, and will sail under the name/tour Mekong Prestige Checking the operator’s website the first 8 day cruise … [Read more...]

Can Tho Travel and Destination Guide

Cai Rang Floating Market Can Tho

  Can Tho (Cần Thơ) is located 169 Km ( 105 miles) south west of Saigon Ho Chi Minh City and is the main economic hub of Vietnam’s Mekong region, the city is sometimes referred to as Tây Đô or western capital. Population wise Cần Thơ had an estimated population of 1.5 million … [Read more...]

Novotel Saigon Centre Opens Its Doors in the Heart of Ho Chi Minh City

Novotel Saigon Centre - Guest room

  Today doors of the new Novotel Saigon Centre opened for its first day of operation, the new Accor hotel located on Hai Ba Trung Street in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City will cater for both leisure and business travellers and further expands Accor’s presence in Vietnam as the … [Read more...]

Vietnam Bans Use of Phrase China Beach on Tourist Web Sites

China Beach My Khe Beach Vietnam

VNExpress is reporting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communication has banned local tourist websites from using the phrase “China Beach” to describe the Da Nang Coastline. The phrase China Beach was originally used to describe My Khe beach in Da Nang which was a popular with … [Read more...]

International Tourists to Vietnam Unaware of Tourist Refund Scheme

Vietnam Tourist VAT Refund Scheme

From July 1 this year Vietnam started operation of its trial tourist VAT refund scheme, in which international tourists to Vietnam are able to claim back up to 85% of the Value Added Tax paid on good during their stay in Vietnam, however very few tourists have taken up the offer! Customs staff at … [Read more...]

Vinh Longs Mekong River Food Vendors

Vinh Long River Vendor Selling Watermelon

On the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and for that matter most of Vietnams towns and cities, there is a constant stream of food vendors offering their goods up and down most busy streets, however if are living on the Mekong river gone are the street vendors replaced by river vendors that provide a … [Read more...]

Thanh Thanh Hotel Nha Trang

Thanh Thanh Hotel Nha Trang 98A Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Hanoi View 2 Hotel

Hanoi View 2 Hotel 48 Ngo Si Lien Alley, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Lucky 3 Hotel Hanoi

Lucky 3 Hotel Hanoi 81 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Prince 78 Hotel Hanoi

Prince 78 Hotel Hanoi 78 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

A25 Nguyen Truong To

A25 Nguyen Truong To 67 Nguyen Truong To Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Anh Minh Hotel Ho Chi Minh City

Anh Minh Hotel Ho Chi Minh City 21 Thai Van Lung, Ward Ben Nghe, Dist. 1, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Phu Quy Hotel Nha Trang

Phu Quy Hotel Nha Trang 54 Hung Vuong, Nha Trang, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Lele Hotel

Lele Hotel 171 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Orient Hotel De Tham Ho Chi Minh City

Orient Hotel De Tham Ho Chi Minh City 274 De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Torino Hotels Ho Chi Minh City

Torino Hotels Ho Chi Minh City 25 Road 2, Hung Gia 1, Tan Phong Ward, Phu My Hung, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Prince V Hotel

Prince V Hotel 15 Trung Yen lane, Dinh Liet Str Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Tulip Flower Hotel

Tulip Flower Hotel 25 Yen Ninh,Truc Bach,Ba … [Read more...]

Hanoi Venus Hotel Old Quarter

Hanoi Venus Hotel Old Quarter 10 Hang Can, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

King Star Hotel Ho Chi Minh City

King Star Hotel Ho Chi Minh City 8A/4D2 Th … [Read more...]

Tien An Hotel Ho Chi Minh City

Tien An Hotel Ho Chi Minh City 22 Truong Dinh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Nha Trang Island Hotel

Nha Trang Island Hotel 1 Ngo Si Lien, City Center, Nha Trang, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Sandhills Beach Resort Phan Thiet

Sandhills Beach Resort Phan Thiet Tien Binh hamlet, Tien Thanh commune, Phan Thiet, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Petro Hotel Vung Tau

Petro Hotel Vung Tau 9-11 Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 1, Vung Tau, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Queen Plaza Hotel Hanoi

Queen Plaza Hotel Hanoi 17 Hang Can, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Prince 1 Hotel Hanoi

Prince 1 Hotel Hanoi 51 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Sen Thang Long Hotel Hanoi

Sen Thang Long Hotel Hanoi 63 Nguyen Truong To, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Chau Son Hotel

Chau Son Hotel Van Hanh Street, Ninh Khanh Ward, Ninh Binh, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Hoang Hai Long 1

Hoang Hai Long 1 56 - 58 Pham Hong Thai St., Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Spring House Hotel

Spring House Hotel 221 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Bamboo Green Riverside

Bamboo Green Riverside 68 Bach Dang Street, Da Nang, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Victory Hotel Ho Chi Minh City

Victory Hotel Ho Chi Minh City 14 Vo Van Tan Str., Dist. 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Ninh Kieu Hotel

Ninh Kieu Hotel 02 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Especen Hotel

Especen Hotel 28 Tho Xuong Street, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Non Viet Hotel Hanoi

Non Viet Hotel Hanoi 32 Luong Van Can, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Muine de Century Beach Resort Phan Thiet

Muine de Century Beach Resort Phan Thiet 16 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Halong Bay Hotel

Halong Bay Hotel Halong Road, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long, Vietnam … [Read more...]

The Long Hotel Ninh Binh

The Long Hotel Ninh Binh Tam Coc, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Tan Hai Long 2

Tan Hai Long 2 20 - 22 Thai Van Lung Street, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Hanoi Asia 2 Hotel

Hanoi Asia 2 Hotel 139/2 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Long Bien District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Lucky Hotel 69 Hanoi

Lucky Hotel 69 Hanoi 69, Tran Duy Hung Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Hanoi Calypso Hotel

Hanoi Calypso Hotel 27A Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Hanoi Liberty Hotel

Hanoi Liberty Hotel 78, Hang Non Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

KOTO Hotel

KOTO Hotel 120 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Nhat Tien Hotel

Nhat Tien Hotel 44 Hang Bun, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

The World Hotel Hanoi

The World Hotel Hanoi 16 Thanh Ha Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Tran Hotel Hanoi

Tran Hotel Hanoi 67 Hang Than, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Viet Anh Hotel

Viet Anh Hotel 13 Ma May Street , Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Long Life Riverside Hotel

Long Life Riverside Hotel 61 Nguyen Phuc Chu St., Hoi An, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Sapa Queen Hotel

Sapa Queen Hotel 09 Muong Hoa Street, Sa Pa, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Thuy Duong Hotel Ha Long

Thuy Duong Hotel Ha Long 20 Bai Chay, Ha Long, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Sapa Goldsea Hotel

Sapa Goldsea Hotel 058 Fanxipang, Sa Pa, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Apt Hotel Hanoi

Apt Hotel Hanoi 32 Hang Vai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Camellia Hotel 5

Camellia Hotel 5 81 Thuoc Bac Str., Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

The Eden Hotel

The Eden Hotel 78 Tho Nhuom St., Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Hanoi Grand Hotel

Hanoi Grand Hotel No.26 Hoi Vu Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Orchid Paradise Hotel

Orchid Paradise Hotel No 1/12 Yen Thai - Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Rising Dragon Palace Hotel Hanoi

Rising Dragon Palace Hotel Hanoi 12 Nguyen Quang Bich St., Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Hoang Le Hotel Ho Chi Minh City

Hoang Le Hotel Ho Chi Minh City Hamlet 4, Binh Hung Commune, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

M2M Hotel

M2M Hotel 55 Thu Khoa Huan St., Ben Thanh Ward, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Mai Hostel Ho Chi Minh City

Mai Hostel Ho Chi Minh City 241/41 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Mai Vy Hotel Ho Chi Minh City

Mai Vy Hotel Ho Chi Minh City 241/12 Pham Ngu Lao, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Ngoclinh Hotel

Ngoclinh Hotel 283/21 Pham Ngu Lao St., Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Phuong Nam Pearl Resort Ho Chi Minh City

Phuong Nam Pearl Resort Ho Chi Minh City Dong Hoa beach, Long Hoa Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Saigon Sky Garden Serviced Apartment Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Sky Garden Serviced Apartment Ho Chi Minh City 20 Le Thanh Ton Street, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Than Thien 2 Hotel Hue

Than Thien 2 Hotel Hue 6, Pham Van Dong Street, Hue, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Long Hai Beach Resort

Long Hai Beach Resort Provincial road 44, Long Hai Town, Long Dien District, Ba Ria, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Hoang Lien Hotel Sa Pa

Hoang Lien Hotel Sa Pa Cau May Street, Sa Pa, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Asia Pearl Hotel

Asia Pearl Hotel 46 Bat Su, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Ha Long ACD Cruise Cabins

Ha Long ACD Cruise Cabins 2 Ha Long Str, Ha Long, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Dat Lanh Beach Resort La Gi

Dat Lanh Beach Resort La Gi Ly Thai To St., Tan Tien Ward, La Gi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Dai A hotel

Dai A hotel 51 Yen Bay Street, Da Nang, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Asia Hotel Hanoi

Asia Hotel Hanoi 23 Nguyen Cong Tru St., Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

May De Ville Backpackers Hostel

May De Ville Backpackers Hostel 1 Hai Tuong Str., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Graceful Saigon Hotel

Graceful Saigon Hotel 63 Bui Vien St., Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Lao Cai Star Hotel

Lao Cai Star Hotel 003 Hoang Lien Street, Coc Leu ward, Lao Cai, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Ha Long Galaxy Cruise

Ha Long Galaxy Cruise Bai Chay Tourist Pier, Ha Long Road, Bai Chay, Ha Long, Vietnam … [Read more...]

Calla Hanoi Hotel

Calla Hanoi Hotel 210 Hang Bong Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam … [Read more...]