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...]

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...]

International Visitors to Vietnam up Nearly 11 Precent

Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat Airport Vietnam Visitors Up

International Visitors to Vietnam in the January to July 2012 period was up nearly 11% compared with the same period last year, with around 3.8 million International arrivals. Vietnam’s 3.8 million visitors during this period was largely represented by China with over 773,000 arrivals followed … [Read more...]

Emirates Launches Daily Non-Stop Flights to Ho Chi Minh City

Emirates Ho Chi Minh City Route Started

Emirates recently started non-stop daily flights between Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City, making Vietnam’s largest city Emirates eighth new route for 2012. The inaugural Emirates flight from Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City had the following officals and dignitaries on board His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Ali … [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...]

New Luxury Bus Service Launched Between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh Cambodia

NagaWorld Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh Luxury Bus Service

A new luxury bus services has begun operation between Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam and Phnom Penh Cambodia which boasts 28 luxury seats with massage features as well as on board toilets and video. The 20 bus 6 return per day services is operated by Cambodian Tourism Ministry and NagaWorld Group, and … [Read more...]

The Vietnamese Coffee Debate Ca Phe Sua Da or Ca Phe Da?

Vietnamese Coffee Cà phê đá on the left and Cà phê sữa đá on the right

How do you have your Vietnamese Coffee Cà phê đá or Cà phê sữa đá? For the un-initiated Vietnamese coffee is strong yet an enjoyable brew and is something most travellers to Vietnam will be come acquainted with before their trip is over, I and most Vietnamese start the day off with a … [Read more...]

Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Best time to Visit Vietnam is December through to April

When is the best time to visit Vietnam? This is a common question I get from both friends as well as reader of this blog on a regular basis so I thought it deserved a post here. Best Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh City There are several things to consider when deciding on the best time to visit … [Read more...]

Ho Chi Minh City Weather

Ho Chi Minh City night

Ho Chi Minh City Weather like most Asian cities this close the equator is hot and humid with two distinct seasons the wet season mùa mưa and the dry season (mùa khô) The Dry Season in Ho Chi Minh City The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City and for that matter the rest of Vietnam is during … [Read more...]

Ha Long Bay Free Entry to Celebrate Seven New Wonder Status

Ha Long Bay Wonders Of World

Following Ha Long Bay’s acceptance and to celebrate its status as a New Seven Wonder of the Natural World entry to Ha Long Bay will be free for all visitors from 28 April 2012 until 1 May 2012. The free visits to the UNESCO-organised World Heritage site are being offered during Ha Long Tourism … [Read more...]

Ha Long Bay Seven New Wonder Status to be Celebrated

Ha Long bay Seven New Wonders Of Natural World

Now that its official and Ha Long Bay has been accepted as one of the Seven new wonders of nature, there will be an official ceremony in both Hanoi and Quang Ninh providence to announce and celebrate Ha Long Bay’s Seven New Wonder status. The first Ceremony will be held in Hanoi on 27 April and … [Read more...]

Vietnams Mekong Delta in Top 10 Best Destinations for 2012

Mekong Delta Vietnam Voted top 10 Destination Lonely Planet

Following NomadicMatt rant about why he will never return to Vietnam which I have discussed here, Lonely Planet named Vietnam Mekong region as one of the one of the top 10 Best Destinations for 2012, with the region being voted one of the best value destinations in the world. Vietnam ’s rice … [Read more...]

Ha Long Bay Cruises Safer Reports the BBC

Ha Long Bay Cruise Halong Jasmin Junk

The BBCs Carmen Roberts has reported that Ha Long Bay is now a lot safer following efforts from local authorities as well as Ha Long Bay cruise operators. Initiatives implemented in Ha Long bay have included increased safety training for cruise operators and captains as well as stricter safety … [Read more...]

Sửng sốt Amazing Cave Ha Long Bay Voted 10 Best Beautiful Caves

Sung Sot Cave Ha long Bay Vietnam

Sửng sốt amazing cave, which is one of the largest in Ha Long Bay, was recently voted one of 10 most beautiful caves in the world by the Association of Tourism Offices and Brokers of the Czech Republic. Sung Sot or Amazing cave was discovered in 1901 by the French, Sung Sot cave is divided into … [Read more...]

Vietnam Airlines Takes Controlling Share of Jetstar Pacific

Vietnam Airlines takes over controlling share in Jetstar-Pacific

Today it has been offically announced that Vietnam Airlines will take over the majority controlling stake of Jetstar Pacific, along with Qantas increasing its stake in the airline from 27 to 30 precent. Vietnam Airlines will take the majority share in Jetstar Pacific, currently held by the … [Read more...]

Why I’ll Always Return to Vietnam!

Vietnam Nha Trang - Vietnam Why I will always return

Vietnam is the best country you will ever visit, its charm, character, people, places and food are unlike anything you will ever experience, down to earth, simple yet complex, vibrant yet  peaceful. Walking the streets you can feel safe and confident that you won’t be hassled by beggars, shop … [Read more...]

Vietnam Embassy and Consulates

Ho chi minh city Vietnam Embassy Embassies

Below are the location of all known Vietnam Embassies and Consulates around the world, there may be some missing, so if you know of any send an via the contact form and fill us in with the details. For any of the listed Embassies below click on the Embassy name with a link to get more details for … [Read more...]

Guide to Ho Chi Minh City Bus Service SaigonBus

SaigonBus Ho Chi Minh City's Local Bus service is cheap and suprisingly reliable

If you are looking for cheap transport in and around Saigon that most tourists rarely consider, try the local Saigon Ho Chi Minch City Bus service SaigonBus, at a bargain basement cost between VNĐ 4,000-8,000 (aprox AUD/USD $0.20-$0.40) depending on the route this is the cheapest transport to be … [Read more...]

Guide iPhone & iPad 3G Data Access in Vietnam

The Vinaphone 3G Micro SIM for iPhone or iPad

3G data plans in Vietnam are cheap and widely available however there are some tricks to getting the best value and technically switching your overseas iPhone or iPad to work in Vietnam, so I have put together this iPhone iPad 3g Data access guide for Vietnam to help you stay connected while in the … [Read more...]

Emirates to add Ho Chi Minh City Vienam Services

Emirates to Expand into Vietnam with Ho Chi Minh City Services from 4 June 2012

From 4 June 2012 Emirates have announced that the airline will add Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam as its 124th, with Vietnam being one of the fastest grown countries in Asia and the world, it’s no wonder Ho Chi Minh City was added. Emirates Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City service will initially be operated … [Read more...]

Ha Long Bay Vietnam Travel Information

Ha Long Bay Boat Tour

Consider every superlative you know, such as idyllic, mysterious, magnificent, breath taking, beautiful, wonderful, etc. etc. and you are just on the cusp of almost adequately describing the splendour of Ha Long Bay, that means descending dragon bay.  It’s one of those few places, for example, … [Read more...]

Experiencing Huế

Hue Imperial Palace

No trip to Vietnam is complete without visiting Huế (pronounced Way), this home to almost 1 million people who live in the Thừa Thiên-Huế province was once the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty and is located on the banks of the aptly named Perfume River.  Nestled roughly halfway along … [Read more...]

Nha Trang Travel Information

Nha Trang Vinpearl Spa and Resort Beach

  If relaxing on beautiful beaches and enjoying swimming and diving are your passions then Nha Trang is the destination for you.  Located on one of the world's most beautiful bays, Nha Trang Bay, this coastal city that is also the capital of the Khanh Hoa province and home to around 350,000 … [Read more...]

Vietnam Visa Information

Vietnam Visa Sticker

A Vietnam Visa is required for the majority of visitors to Vietnam however there are a few exceptions to. When applying for a Vietnam Tourist/Visitor visa there are several options that need to be taken into account. Length of stay: The standard Vietnam Visitor visa is 30 days however for a fee a … [Read more...]

The Nam Hai Hoi An Wins Best Asian Leisure Hotel and Resort

The Nam Hai Hoi An Takes out Best Asian Leisure Resort Hotel at 2011 Smart Travel Asia Poll

The absolutely spectacular The Nam Hai Resort Hoi An recently took out the best Asian Leisure Hotel/Resort in the recent 2011 Smart Travel Asia Best in Asia Travel Poll. The Nam Hai Hoi An actually shared the convened number one spot this year with another great Vietnam hotel the Sofitel Legend … [Read more...]