The place where you get to discover amazing traveller experiences in Vietnam. Let us know how we can help you with your travel enquiry. WHAT ABOUT VIETNAM with Kerry Newsome Photo Credit - Gerard Gerhard Latest Episode S5 E25 Hoi An in Focus - 10 things to love from a local's view and a traveller's return 00:00 / 54:06 Xin Chao and Welcome to the No 1 Vietnam Travellers Podcast website TRIP PLANNING SERIES 1 SERIES 2 SERIES 3 SERIES 4 SERIES 5 Go to Visa info Welcome to WhatAboutVietnam.com (WAV) as we like to call it! The place where you get to discover amazing traveller experiences in Vietnam Listen - to the "What About Vietnam" - Traveller Insights Podcast here or on your favourite channel. Search - by name of the episode, destination or experience to find the best Podcast, Blog, Transcript or Video to match your enquiry. Read - The Travel Podcast Transcripts and blogs about many different experiences you can enjoy in Vietnam. Save as a PDF or download to print. Watch - Our Trailer Videos on our NEW- YOUTUBE channel Reach out - Send us an email and let us know how we can help you with your travel enquiry. Let me and my guests be your personal guides, mentors, tutors, and fun experts. We all have a story to tell about traveling about, living there or working in Vietnam. Each episode has something for everyone. I hope you will come to know, love, and share this page and my podcast with others to help them discover the true beauty and wonder that is Vietnam. Kerry Newsome Hi, my name is Kerry Newsome and I am your host on the What About Vietnam Podcast. If you have a subject, destination or experience you would like to know more about, why not drop me a quick message here and I will do my utmost to get you the information you have requested. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the next show. Kerry Subscribe to What About Vietnam through your favourite channel And many other channels What About Vietnam is proud to be a member of Auscham Vietnam - Australian Chamber of Commerce Submit Thanks for submitting!

< Back 5 Days 4 nights Immersive Wellness package Hue – Vietnam At Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion Experience Highlights A 5 day/ 4 night nurturing wellness package at Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion is carefully crafted:- For people who are looking for a relaxing and healing retreat. For people seeking a tranquil atmosphere and the chance to spend time to indulge in many spa treatments, meditations and soaking in hotsprings For people who want to travel differently and avoid the crowds but still enjoy locally grown food and a heightened experience of Vietnamese culture For those wishing to explore HUE local culture and cuisine in a relaxed and mindful way This joyful experience will bring harmony and balance to your body – mind and well-being , This retreat at Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion has been designed and crafted by Kerry Newsome the Host of the "What About Vietnam Podcast and the Alba Wellness team. The aim of the retreat is to bring a meaningful journey back to your true self, without the pressures of time or decision making. This joyful experience will bring harmony and balance on 3 key components: body – mind – soulful well-being, especially focusing on mental health . What to expect during your stay Body treatments Cleansing your physical body through juicing and other healthy drinks (kombucha – fermented probiotic tea) along with vegetarian or healthy meals Indulge and pamper yourself through our exceptional spa treatments and authentic Japanese onsen . Boost your immune system by soaking in mineral rich outdoor hot springs Challenging yourself with our exciting outdoor experiences which include zipline and adventurous highwire circuits or hiking in the forest Organic cooking class at the farm with fresh picked vegetable and herbs Yoga classes and meditations taking advantage of the local springs and mindfulness spaces Mindfulness Observe your breath and stay mindful with our wide range of meditation classes : water meditation, forest meditation barefoot, chakra healing meditation with candles, Rainbow shower meditation, qigong and yoga. Learn something : A new way to cleansing, farming or creative crafts to help explore a new-you that you might have forgotten for a long time. Get quality sleep , thanks to all these activities as well as tranquil and beautiful nature and fresh air Soulful wellbeing Even if you prefer to remain secluded and not follow any specific spiritual activity, you still will release your stress or burn-out and discover relief in in your body and your soul. Spend time in nature : forest hiking, forest bathing and meditation to connect your inner emotions and feelings Take time to give gratitude to nature earth, your friends and all the people surrounding you to make this a meaningful experience. Be compassionate to yourself and others, by observing your breathing pattern, looking deep inside yourself, appreciating how lucky you are and discover caring for yourself before helping someone else, is a great way to discover true happiness. For more information or to book click here DAILY SCHEDULE - Activities DAY 1: ARRIVAL, RELAXATION, PAMPERING & CALM IN MIND 14:00 Arrival, check in, healthy welcome drink with homemade kombucha 15:00 Resort Tour, Welcome & Hot Spring Knowledge 16:20 Onsen 17:00 Yin & Yang spa treatment 18:30 Healthy welcome dinner (Healthy Balance Dinner) with 01 non-alcohol drink 20:00 Chakra Healing Meditation Wellness Turndown (Detox Tea) DAY 2: BALANCING DAY: YOGA, SPA, ONSEN & MEDITATION 5:30 Hiking (optional to join)- Take the opportunity to start the day in our lush forest 7:00 Celery juice experience at Mori 8:00 Daily Yoga class 9:00 Breakfast anytime anywhere Free time, High Wire (optional to join) – Feeling energized – why not try the high wire zip lining and take a bicycle ride around the resort. Or simply take it easy and lie by the pool. 13:20 Onsen 14:00 Natural Living Eucalyptus treatment 16:00 Optional Late healthy lunch/ early healthy dinner if choosing upgrade to intermittent fasting method – be sure to discuss your preferences with staff so they can prepare your meal preferences. 18:00 Water meditation 20:00 Rainbow Shower meditation Wellness Turndown (Detox Tea) DAY 3: MINDFULLNESS, ENERGY HEALING AND PAMPERING 5:30 Meditation by the stream 7:00 Celery juice experience at Mori 8:00 Daily Yoga 9:00 Breakfast Hue - Half Day city tour (optional) 9.30 – 1.30pm Following breakfast you will be collected at the resort and taken for a “Discovery half day tour” of Hue. Our knowledgeable English speaking tour your guide will assist you to understand the history of Hue as the Imperial capital of Vietnam. You will be guided through the Citadel and you will visit many places of historic significance including one new place of startling beauty - Lebadang Memory Space - https://lebadangmemoryspace.com/ Return to Resort for Prana treatment at 2.00pm and relaxation. Lunch will be at own expense during tour. Your guide will advise best place to enjoy local cuisine. 14:10 Prana Vital Energy treatment 16:00 Optional Late healthy lunch/ early healthy dinner if choosing upgrade to intermittent fasting method - be sure to discuss your preferences with staff so they can prepare your meal preferences. 20:00 Breathing Class Wellness Turndown (Detox Tea) DAY 4: HEALTHY & HEALING DAY 6:30 Celery Juice experience 7:00 Biking 8:30 Healthy Breakfast anywhere Free time to relax by the pool, take a leisurely walk, or go for a swim or bike ride. 12:30 A Cooking class by the farm 15:20 Onsen 16:00 Siamese Healing treatment 18:00 Early healthy dinner - optional if you choose intermittent fasting method - be sure to discuss your preferences with staff so they can prepare your meal preferences. 20:00 Chakra healing meditation Wellness Turndown (Detox Tea) DAY 5: PURIFYING YOURS AND CHECK OUT 6:30 Celery Juice experience 7:00 – 7:30 Water Purifications 8:00 Breakfast anytime anywhere then check out at 10.00am PRICE - INCLUDED SERVICES: Accommodation at Alba Wellness Resort by fusion Breakfast anytime anywhere Morning juices on day 2,3,4,5,6 1- Healthy dinner on day 1 with a healthy drink (non-alcohol) 50 min Spa treatment/person/night as per schedule 30 min Onsen session/person/night as per schedule Unlimited outdoor hotspring bathing/ soaking Daily Wellbeing follow up with staff Daily Wellness activity classes including yoga, meditation, breath, biking, hiking to revitalize and reinvigorate, reducing stress and resetting inner balance. (Complimentary) Daily herbal tea turndown service Water purification ritual on day 6 1 – Cooking class

09c8bf5a-9903-4573-9ce5-3306acfa70c2Discussing the broader challenges in travel planning What About Vietnam - Series 3 -16 - Traveling in Vietnam Part 3 Things NOT always in the tour program Kerry Newsome: 00:35 Xin Chào, and welcome to What about Vietnam. Time, as we know is always difficult when you're planning a holiday, you only get so many holidays a year, and trying to pack everything into a trip is always difficult. And with a country like Vietnam with so much to offer, I hope you're enjoying this series with Miquel as he shares with us just some of the things that we need to consider when we're doing that planning, even things just as simple as planning in jetlag. 01:08 Miquel Angel comes to the program, as you probably know by now, as Head of the Human Resources and Quality Working Group inside Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board, he has some great insights to share, we talk about and we kind of focus on, in this episode around the highlands. So that's in the north of Vietnam. And you could easily spend your 14 days if that's the only time you've got, just in Hanoi and around some certain areas close to Hanoi. We do also talk about Phú Quốc in this and that's very topical, coming up to its early opening to Vietnam in the next month or so. Please welcome Miquel to the show. 02:03 What are your thoughts about the Central Region? What would you package in the Central Region? Miquel Angel: 02:09 Well, that central region has a lot of potential there. And as we said before, I cannot put all these destinations in a 13 day program. Because the issue here in Vietnam is that it is so rich in terms of destinations, culture, food, minorities, and all this that make it impossible to put everything there. 02:32 So, in the central region, you have from Ho Chi Minh City there, of course you have Dalat, that's a beautiful French village, may have many meters above the sea level. That's where all the French, during the French colonial period here, were going as a retreat from hot Saigonese summer. So, there are there a lot of French-built villas and houses there. Actually, most of them are now turned into hotels. Some of them are really applying good sustainability principles there. 03:03 So, making five star hotel, Relacionado style inside one of these houses, where the emperor or the prince or whatever were living, in that French style, so, that is fantastic. In some of them, is absolutely beautiful experience with some outdoor heated swimming pool, because it gets a bit chilly during wintertime. But that's fantastic. In Dalat, you have a huge flower market, they export market flower to Europe, huge number of tulips that you find in the Netherlands are exported from here. Kerry Newsome: 03:39 Wow. And they have Everlasting Flowers, don't forget… Miquel Angel: 03:44 Absolutely. Kerry Newsome: 03:45 I didn’t know there was such a thing as everlasting flowers but there is. Miquel Angel: 03:47 In that area, you have also a lot of natural resources and cascades, waterfalls, areas where you can even swim there in a safety way. And you have also other beautiful areas in that zone like can be Kon Tum, for example, or [inaudible 04:06] which are the two, let's say the king and the queen of the coffee production in Vietnam. Because Vietnam is the second worldwide coffee producer after Brazil. 04:15 Many people don't know that the Vietnamese coffee is around the world. So, when you move from Dalat to any of these villages, you either choose, from Dalat you want to continue and go discovering Highlands, · Means elephant rides. · Means coffee plantation. · Means all the kinds of fruits and veggies · Means minorities living in that areas. · Means a spectacular 100% Budhmay churches. There is one in Kon Tum village for example. So, you continue on the highlands, you are bordering Laos. So, there is a mountain range going between Vietnam and Laos which is very steep. Kerry Newsome: 04:52 Beautiful scenery. Miquel Angel: 04:54 Amazing-- Instagram lovers and picture lovers and people that love to take a motorbike I can just see that ballets, that is amazing. Or either from Dalat, you drive down by car or by motorbike, if you are interested, that you would like to go there, down to Nha Trang, which is also in the central part of Vietnam. And there you have now big developments, big hotels on the beach, you can stay there and rest two days in the mountain to discover. And another two days to recover, from the elephant, right from the tracking you did. And you keep living and enjoying your trip in the central part of Vietnam. Kerry Newsome: 05:36 And I think the good point that you made about living, and because I see so many travelers of all ages, getting to the point that they are struggling, because they haven't taken into consideration, the heat, and the humidity, it's the humidity that just absolutely wrings you out. And if you're a Westerner like me, you're just not I mean-- Australia is hot. It can be, but not the same humidity. I think you're taking in lots of different experiences, and why would you want to consume them that fast that you can't have a minute spare to sit down and have a lovely piece of fruit or overlook a beautiful scenery. 06:27 So, in that central area, it's kind of interesting, isn't it? Because there's a few hot spots. You've got Hau Giang, Da Nang is now becoming a very big city. I mean, Da Nang used to be a place where, for me, it was like, okay, I went into that Da Nang, and then I went out of Da Nang. I never stayed in Da Nang. Miquel Angel: 06:51 But you should. Kerry Newsome: 06:53 Yeah, now I do. So, the country is evolving at such a rapid rate. I mean, I can remember also, I was talking the other day to someone about Phong Nha, another region that is coming very much on people's radar. And I said, "I want to wait to talk about Phong Nha. But I think what we have to do is, how long do you need in Phong Nha? Do you need one day, two days, three days four?" And the guy said, "To be honest, if you're flying into Phong Nha, you probably need three or four days minimum." 07:34 So, it is the thing that we get most out of this podcast for my listeners, I hope. Time is the thing to plan with this trip. And I think, everyone can Google and look up, especially trips that include a lot of these destinations. And I probably jump to the north very quickly in how long it takes to get to places. I mean, there's all those wonderful pictures of terraced rice fields and all the rest of it. And people say, "Oh, you know, how far is that from Hanoi?" And I go, "Oh, about 200 kilometers",…like, "Oh, that's nothing?" 08:19 Well, yes, it is. You'd need a day to get there and then a day to get back. And you probably need two to three days to get around to have a look at some of the ways the minority groups live. Because there's still a lot of traditional markets and blah, blah, blah, … And you're going to be tired walking up those terraces because you have to walk up some of them. Because guess what, there's just no steps and there's no paved roads and things like this. So, it's kind of chunking it down for people so that they can grasp what's achievable in the timeframe. And we hope and we want them to come back and do the next region as a separate trip. Miquel Angel: 09:03 Time is always in your hands. So having a destination I think from like Vietnam, so close. To say close from Australia because you are correct. So, it is relatively close. And now with the flight also, Europe also is getting close as of now. Middle East, many opening [crosstalk] are getting easier to arrive to the destination there. Yeah, so the only question is that you need to say "Okay, I have these two weeks now in 2022. Let's move next year. So, these two weeks, I'm going to do the highlands of Vietnam and the center." That's a fantastic choice. 09:45 You will probably still have areas to visit during that two weeks, if you choose the north or the south, the same. So, let's move to the north part of Vietnam. If you are landing in Hanoi, let's say you fly from whatever place in Australia, you arrive to Hanoi. So, you have options there not to be missed. 10:02 Me, I recommend, you arrive to Hanoi, and you control your first day, if you want to take a nap afterwards and-- you don't book anything on your first day of arrival, you just lay down in the hotel if you want to, doesn't matter if it is a five star hotel or whatever, or a one star hotel, doesn't matter. It will be noisier, probably the one star, but just take rest. And just walk around a bit there. And just- done. [crosstalk] correct, without any tour-guide, without anything there, let's say that you come by yourself, or you organize a trip, but you organize the rest of the days a bit too. So, in Hanoi, you can get lost easily. Kerry Newsome: 10:40 And have a lot of fun, I think getting lost is the best fun. Miquel Angel: 10:43 Just seeing that Vietnam is, I will say, quite safe in terms of walking around. And people. Kerry Newsome: 10:51 I've never felt any issues. Miquel Angel: 10:56 Correct. So, that's important, even for us living here. So don't go around just flashing your new iPhone 13, or your camera or whatever. But if you have a little bit of sense, and you keep things there normal, you can take a picture, whatever. But by yourself here in Hanoi, these two or three days, plenty of things depending on what you like. If you say "No, I'd like to stroll around the Old Quarter and see all these; the Bamboo Street, the Painting Street, the Wherever, you get lost there. 11:24 If you say you want to visit the Red River, nobody has time to visit the Red River, 600 kilometers, just coming from China all along the north-west part of Vietnam, next to the train. That's amazing. Nobody visits that. There is also one iron bridge that you can walk and cross the Red River, you cannot believe. I have some pictures of the last time I was there. I went to Long Beach just to walk up and down and take some pictures, when the train behind you, that's an amazing experience. No time, it is not in any program, you cannot put in there. Kerry Newsome: 12:05 I know what you are saying. So, I think we've actually got the message very clear that everybody needs to chunk it down. And as you say, · maybe do a Highlands one trip, · maybe do the South and the Mekong another, · maybe do the central area another and · maybe includes some tracking, some caving. All of that sort of stuff. People might want to do more of a cultural stay, or some people might just want to lie on the beach. I mean, there's 3200 kilometers of beach. 12:40 So, there's plenty of beach stays. With the Phú Quốc Island opening first. I think even that is just a good display to people about what is available in Vietnam. And see now when I went and visited that island, what I took away was pepper. I didn't realize that it grew the most amazing pepper. Miquel Angel: 13:06 You cannot visit, it is out of the program. No way. Kerry Newsome: 13:11 My company put it in the program, they said, "We need to go, and we need to see those pepper farmers." "Really?" The pepper was fantastic, it was amazing. Miquel Angel: 13:26 Here, in Phú Quốc Island, you can also include the-- now I am talking about islands, we have Côn Đảo, we have Chàm Islands, we have Phú Quốc there. A beautiful places to visit is the bee farms in Phú Quốc, that's amazing. You cannot believe, bee farms, making 100% natural honey… it is not in the program. We cannot do everything there. OUTRO 13:52 Thank you for listening. Check out the episode notes for more information. What About Vietnam. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review, and stay tuned for more fun adventures in Vietnam. What About Vietnam.

To travel, to experience and learn: that is to live.” – Tenzing Norgay One of the most asked questions I get from travellers is - When is the best time to visit Vietnam.? The answer isn't a simple one. Vietnam being a long skinny country with a shoreline of 3,200Kms, weather can vary significantly from North to South. I hope you will find this guide useful in your trip planning. January: January is the ideal time to consider cooler weather pursuits in Vietnam. In the northern region, particularly the famous Sapa town, located in Lao Cai province. Sapa is known for its stunning rice terraces, which are at their most beautiful during the winter months. The weather is chilly, making it perfect for trekking and exploring the local hill tribes. If you head to these locations make sure you are rugged up as it can snow in Sapa and roads can be drizzly. It is advisable to get some advice on best things to do prior to booking for this area. The south is your best bet for warmer weather but it too can have more frequent wet days but much warmer than the north and still with medium to high levels of humidity.I know from experience visiting another northern area called Ba be Lake, it was freezing cold. However, with puffer jackets and warm under clothing it meant we had the pristine lake and the caves to ourselves, and the beautiful cherry blossoms were just starting to break through. Less tourists and more chance for local interaction. February: February is a good time to visit Vietnam's central region. I mention this as somewhere between late January and mid February Vietnamese celebrate TET. This is a celebration that is waited for all year. You will find the ancient city of Hoi An becomes a sea of colour with flowers and fruit tree sellers lining the streets in the lead up. Combine that with the colourful lanterns and it’s a joyous time to be there. The weather is mild making it perfect for exploring the city's historic sites, such as the Old Town, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture. The city is also known for its beautiful beaches, which as the month ages are warming up for swimming. Earlier in the month it may still be long sleeve weather and not warm enough to make the dive into the ocean or pool. But a week later this can change. You just never know in Vietnam. Kerry in February in Ba be lake - Vietnam March: March is the ideal time to visit Vietnam's central and southern regions, and further afield, the famous Mekong Delta. The weather is warm and humid, making it perfect for exploring the region's famous floating markets, such as Cai Rang and Phong Dien. The region is also known for its beautiful landscapes, including rice paddies and coconut groves. Hoi An is especially nice in the central region, and one of my favourite times of the year for mooching through the old town and finding new hidden gems in the alleys. Drinking coffee, people watching, sipping a cocktail at Happy Hour and chatting with locals. Basing yourself in Hoi An is a good plan as from here there are many activities and day trips to enjoy, that still mean you are back in time for twilight by the Thu Bon river. Hoi An - The Thu Bon river at twilight Photo Credit - Thomas Levine Photography - Photo Hoi An - March April: April is a great time to visit Vietnam's central highlands, particularly the city of Dalat. The weather is cool and dry, making it perfect for exploring the city's many waterfalls, such as Pongour ( a beautiful waterfall you can reach so close your hands can touch the falls) and Datanla. Kerry at Pongour Falls Dalat February The city is also known for its beautiful gardens and flower farms, such as the Valley of Love and the Dalat Flower Garden. A quaint and particularly European style city you will see and feel an atmosphere of fresh flowers, fruits and rolling hills. This is also an opportune time to head to Phong Nha and go caving, motorbike riding through the hills, trekking and soaking up the small town community of Phong Nha with locals.If you would like to know more about visiting Phong Nha I suggest you contact Phong Nha Farmstay and visit the podcast I did with Ben Mitchell a great Aussie bloke who has been living there for many years now and will give you the local knowledge you need. May: May is a great time to visit Vietnam's northern region, particularly the famous Ha Long Bay. The weather is warm and humid, making it perfect for exploring the bay's many limestone islands and caves. The bay is also known for its small beaches and opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay are a must if you visit Vietnam around this time. The limestone mountains jutting from the mesmeric coloured water will be a lifelong memory not just stored on your phone camera. The central and south are hot and very popular for those wanting to soak up the sun at any famous beach cities like Danang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc Island and Mui Ne. March to May are ideal for other places in the north like Ha Giang. June: June is a great time to visit Vietnam's central region, particularly the city of Hue. The weather is HOT and humid, making it perfect for exploring the city's many historic sites. It is the hottest time of the year so be prepared with lighter clothing and sunscreen. This month really makes it safe to head to most places along the 3,200 shoreline as long as you like it VERY hot during the day with the odd downpour. July: July is a great time to visit Vietnam's southern region, particularly the city of Nha Trang. The weather is warm and humid, making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing at the city's many beaches. Nha Trang is also known for its many water activities, such as snorkelling and scuba diving, and its famous cable car ride to Vinpearl Island featuring a veritable Disneyland of experiences for kids. Across most of Vietnam it is HOT, so if that’s how you like it, then it’s your time. August: August is a great time to visit Vietnam's northern region, particularly the city of Hanoi. The weather is hot and humid, making it perfect for exploring the city's many historic sites, such as the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. The city is also known for its delicious street food, which can be enjoyed at the many night markets. Early morning by the lake is delightful as the air is at its coolest, and you will see people dancing, exercising, running, and doing Tai Chi. Further in the north the weather is conducive to explore the mountainous regions due to panoramic views of the rice fields, but if it rains in places like Ha Giang it can be wonderful one minute, but drizzly and wet and slippery the other. August and September are recommended as good times to go, but please see note below for further information. Photo credit Jack Taylor - Ninh Binh Episode - https://www.whataboutvietnam.com/series-4/episode-16/ninh-binh---the-mystical-rival-to-halong-bay September: September is my favourite overall Vietnam time of year to visit most places in Vietnam. I call it a “safe bet! It’s a great time to visit Vietnam's central region, particularly the city of Da Nang and Hoi An. The weather is warm and mostly dry, making it perfect for exploring the city's many historic sites, such as the Marble Mountains and the My Son World cultural heritage Temples . The city is also known for its beautiful beaches, such as My Khe Beach, and its many water activities, such as jet skiing and parasailing. Further afield Hoi An has An Bang beach and because the weather is a little milder it makes you feel like getting out more during the day. The nights are delightful and it’s a fun thing to do, to go strolling along the beach alleys to find the best local bars to listen to music and eat the local catch from the day. An Bang Beach September October: Is a great month for the south. The rainy weather is starting to dominate in the central and northern region, which can ruin any type of fun adventure. Or if you love the rain like I do, it can make it a whole lot more fun. Important to note: It is Typhoon season and sometimes the power of these can be highly destructive and can definitely ruin any holiday and although the locals are used to them, they take them seriously and buckle down. I have stayed in the central region in October before and had no issues, but weather is becoming more and more unpredictable. November: November is not a great time to visit Vietnam's central region, as it becomes very dull and rainy. Hoi An has been known to flood many times. However, it can be a good time to visit the city of Hue. The weather is cooler and it can make for the perfect time for exploring the city's many historic sites, such as the Imperial City and the Hue Royal Palace. The city is also known for its beautiful landscapes, such as the Perfume River and the surrounding countryside, which are perfect for cycling or motorbike tours.It may be the perfect time to visit a wellbeing retreat close to hue called Alba Wellness Retreat and Spa. I can vouch for a visit as the experiences are NOT weather dependent and you will walk away after the Yoga, massages, Onsen and meditation feeling like a new person. Check out our special offer here and the podcast I did with the GM Hylton Lipkin here. The north is becoming a lot cooler, verging on cold. However, that just means you can choose to do more indoor activities, like shopping, visiting museums, dining out and for those adventurers on good days, it makes for a good time to visit areas like Ninh Binh. December: December is the time of year where you can expect people "rugging" up in the north! It can make a nice time to visit Vietnam's northern region, particularly the city of Hanoi. The weather is cold, making it perfect for daytime pursuits such as exploring the city's many historic sites, such as the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. The city is also known for its delicious street food, which can be enjoyed at the many night markets. It's also a perfect time to attend the famous Hanoi's New Year Countdown at Hoan Kiem lake. Further north it is getting super cold, so unless that is what you want to experience I would suggest avoiding, till it warms up. It can snow in Sapa at this time, but not enough to ski and very drizzly. The south will offer you more options as it is warmer, but generally it can be wet. The city has a vibrancy and you will soon find out that rain doesn’t deter the Vietnamese from doing too much. So don’t let it stop you either! Off the beaten track For those harder to get places in the north like Mai Chau, Ha Giang, Mu Cang Chai, Ban Goc Waterfalls etc, locals say the best time is around March to May or September and October. These regions take over 6 – 8 hours to reach by bus, or car from Hanoi, and once you arrive in the region of Ha Giang for example, it takes at least 4 days to do the whole loop. Meaning you are driving 8-9 hours per day. For trip planning in these areas I urge you do lots of homework to curate the kind of experience you want to have there. You can’t really expect a Travel Agent in your own country to understand or appreciate the nuances of weather in these regions, unless they specialise in Vietnam travel. The images you see on social pages are on all the perfect days. No one is posting on Instagram the days when the roads are so misty you cannot see 50 yds in front of you, or the roads are choked with traffic. They say to have these amazing experiences you have to have time, patience and pick the right operators to do them with. Suggestions for respected operators in Sapa and close regions - http://www.ethosspirit.com/ - Please check out the Episode I did with Phil Hoolihan talking about Sapa and how managing expectations for tours in these regions is important. You can go here to listen. For regions like Ha Giang I got to interview Tom Stone and he likewise knows the area well and his team can offer up some local knowledge to help you plan the kind of experience you want. His team’s best contact is through facebook here https://www.facebook.com/flipsidevietnam/ The interview and transcript I did is here. Disclaimer: It has to be said that with global warming the weather is becoming harder and harder to predict. Please use this article as a guide only. What was once is no longer something you can set your calender to. The suggestions made in this article are from personal experience and talking with locals in the regions and cities suggested to visit, but it is by no means going to be perfect. TIP for travellers: Facebook is a great tool for communication with operators in Vietnam. If you have plans that could be affected negatively by weather, I strongly suggest you check in with the operator via their Facebook page or reach out to a Travel group, or venue in the region as they will give you the most up to date information at the time. Written by – Kerry Newsome 2025 “To travel, to experience and learn: that is to live.” – Tenzing Norgay

Of course, TET is the most important festival of the year in Vietnam, and because of that you must see our separate BLOG HERE with everything you should know about TET as a traveler. However, there are 9 other festivals that can affect travellers during the year in Vietnam, totally separate from the universal ones related to westerners as in Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving. 1. Lim Festival So much of the traditional Vietnamese festivals is taken up with its costumes and pageantry. The Lim festival is one of those special ones that includes lots of traditional fair activities in the beautiful setting in the Lim Village. The Lim Festival opens annually on around 12th - 13th day of the first lunar month in the year, February 3, 2023. The festival allows travelers to enjoy the UNESCO-listed Quan Ho folk singing and a variety of traditional games. You’ll see locals performing in traditional costumes and it gives amazing insight into the traditions of Vietnam. The Lim Festival is celebrated in Lim Village which is located in the Bac Ninh Province of Vietnam. The village is only about 11 miles (18 KM) from Hanoi, which you can easily get to by bus or your own rental car. So much of the traditional Vietnamese festivals is taken up with its costumes and pageantry. The Lim festival is one of those special ones that includes lots of traditional fair activities in the beautiful setting in the Lim Village. Photo credit for Lim Festival - https://goviettrip.com/vietnam/lim-festival-vietnam 2. Perfume Pagoda Festival The Perfume Pagoda Festival is Vietnam's famous Buddist pilgrimage site. Held February 5, 2023, this festival welcomes thousands of pilgrims who pray when they arrive at the sacred cave. They pray for a happy and prosperous new year. It takes place in Hanoi at the Perfume Pagoda. During the festival, pilgrims first board boats that pass a beautiful landscape of rice paddies and limestone mountains before going by foot past picturesque historical shrines and up hundreds of stone steps. Photo credit and further information - https://luxtraveldmc.com/blog/perfume-pagoda.html 3. Phu Giay Festival From April 22-27, 2023 in the Nam Dinh Province, the Phu Giay Festival takes place. This festival is a tribute to Lieu Hanh, one of the Vietnamese " 4 immortal gods." Interestingly, Lieu Hanh is the only of the four immortal gods that’s based on a real person. The festival takes place around 55 miles from Hanoi, when the Vietnamese make a pilgrimage to the Phu Giay Temple. The festival offers traditional diversions such as cock-fighting, ​ keo chu , and folk singing. During the festival, many pray for good fortune as they carry decorated bamboo relics while wearing traditional costumes. Further reading - https://vietnamisawesome.com/articles/best-vietnam-festivals 4. Hung King Temple Festival The Hung King Temple Festival takes place on April 29, 2023 and celebrated the birth of Vietnam’s first kings: the Hung Vuong. Hung Vuong became king in 2879 BC, and the story has been embellished over the years. To remember the King and his many sons, people gather at the Hung Temple, located near Việt Trì in Phu Tho province, about 50 miles (80 KM) from Hanoi. Travelers will get to witness hundreds of lanterns being released into the sky the night before the festival. The next morning a beautiful flower ceremony is held, followed by a large processional that begins at the foot of a mountain and ends at the main Hung Temple. Photo credit - https://vietnamisawesome.com/articles/best-vietnam-festivals 5. Hue Festival The Hue Festival of 2023 is to span the entire year! With continuous activities through the entire year, the Hue Festival begins with an opening program known as the Ban Soc ceremony in January, and ending with a Countdown Show on December 31, 2023. The festival is Biennial, meaning it happens once every 2 years. The festival features theater, dance, music, and acrobatics that are performed in different places around the city, although most of the activities are conducted around the grounds of the Hue Citadel. Have a listen to Hue The City - Past, Present and Future for more information about Hue. 6. Reunification Day Celebrated on April 30th, Reunification Day was celebrated when South Vietnam was freed from U.S Troops. This was the day that South Vietnam joined North Vietnam under one government. The people of Vietnam celebrate their Reunification date each year on this date. The day is celebrated throughout Vietnam, but travelers should head to larger cities such as Hoi An or HCMC to take part. There is an amazing parade in Hanoi as well as fireworks displays in Danang. HCMC in particular goes crazy late into the evening and lots of events will be held, so make sure you check these out, and where these are held as traffic is beyond description. Find more detail about this very special day here - https://hoiannow.com/hoi-an-guide/festivals-in-vietnam/reunification-day-vietnam/ 7. Buddha’s Birthday Also known as Vasek, Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated each year by the Vietnamese. Celebrated on May 26, 2023, temples are adorned with lavish decorations to celebrate the birth of Buddha. Locals often offer fruit, flower garlands, and traditional Vietnamese dishes. Hoi An is one of the best places to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, which is held at the Phap Bao Pagoda. Locals then head to the temple to perform religious rites, and listen to the Buddha’s scriptures. During the festival animals are released while flower garlands and lanterns are often placed on river banks. 8. Independence Day Vietnam's Independence Day is celebrated on September 2 every year. This euphoric celebration celebrates the independence of Vietnam in a grand way. This is a public holiday in Vietnam, meaning many things will be closed in smaller towns. Independence Day is celebrated throughout Vietnam, but as a traveler it is best to go to Hanoi or HCMC to celebrate. In HCMC where I was staying at the time of these celebrations the atmosphere was electric. There are many events in the main cities, but more so in HCMC. Beware of traffic if you have to get to the airport as it is crazier than usual and many roads get closed off. For further reading and photo credit - https://www.edarabia.com/vietnam/national-day/ 9. Mid Autumn Festival Celebrated on September 16/17 September, 2024, the Mid Autumn Festival features a wide range of activities for all. You’ll see paper lanterns, lion dancing, and food booths that sell a variety of Vietnamese treats. Otherwise known as the Harvest Festival, households often display offerings in honor of the full moon. Hoi An is a great place to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival. As a traveler you will see plenty of street performances, a beautiful lantern processional, and exhibits throughout the town. This one is a special one and many travellers base their trip around as they want to be part of the pageantry. It is always noisy, fun, colourful and the vibe is always around fun and mainly focused on children, so families, I suggest it would be. areal treat for kids. Find more detail here - https://www.vietravel.com/en/cultures-and-customs/legend-of-midautumn-festival-in-vietnam-v11383.aspx It’s a good idea to keep these festivals in mind when planning your trip to Vietnam. Travellers can certainly get a better glimpse into Vietnamese culture by taking part in them, but sometimes its best to avoid them or plan around them as with nearly 100 million people, things can get congested and make travel plans difficult if you haven'tt planned for them. Happy travels. Kerry Newsome

Staying Vigilant or going in “Eyes wide open” Recent Vietnam Scams and How to Avoid Them There has been a lot of recent hype about Vietnam and scams causing people serious concern and often outrage. While I continue to travel to Vietnam many times in a year, I am mindful of these scams. However I certainly don’t give them any more weight than I would do for any other country I visit. While it’s said a holiday is about chilling out and being super relaxed, that doesn’t mean switching off your normal antennas for trouble or things that don’t sound right, or feel right. That gut feeling is there for a reason. I prefer to recommend “staying alert” rather than being “vigilant’ as vigilant sounds so unnecessarily aggressive, and for the most part, I have not found myself caught by any of the scams I am about to tell you about. That isn’t to say they don’t exist. Maybe because I am well versed in the country’s eccentricities, I don’t confuse issues that rise up as being scams. Sometimes they are just miscommunications. However, I did have a Taxi issue I will explain more about below. 1. Taxi Scams: Reports suggest that some taxi drivers in major cities have been involved in scams where they manipulate meters or take unnecessarily long routes to inflate fares. To avoid this, opt for reputable taxi companies ( VinaSun, Mai Linh) or ride-sharing apps GRAB, BE ; check on Google Maps prior to leaving the approximate time and distance away, and always check there is a meter running. Personally, I prefer to use the GRAB App, as I get to match my name, with the drivers booking, cost of trip and the name of place. I pay in cash and I always tip and give a rating. Trust me, it’s a good thing to do on many levels. My Taxi scam experience: One thing to watch for is taxis lurking in areas close to markets, kind of alone. In the beginning I thought, “great” I am tired and here is a taxi, so my 2 sisters and I jumped in. I showed him the address of our hotel on my phone and he hardly looked at it. I instantly got a bad feeling. I said ‘meter’, he nodded. But no meter was on. I asked how much in Dong? He said 200k for a 50 K trip. I said no. He immediately locked all the doors. I had a moment of panic. I immediately started taking photos of his face, his license on dashboard, and I said “let us out or I will call the POLICE. I shouted police and started to wind down windows. He was going to start driving when I said to my sisters to bash on windows of car. He stopped, opened doors, and I forcefully ushered my sisters to get out of the car fast. Which we did. He drove off at a fast pace. Good riddance. That was it. A reminder that I’d taken my eyes off my game by not sticking to what I would normally do. I used my Grab App and we got picked up by a lovely driver in nice car and made our way back to hotel. So, you see it can happen to the best of us. 2. Street Vendor Overcharging: While street food is a highlight of Vietnamese cuisine, there have been instances of street vendors overcharging unsuspecting tourists. To avoid falling victim, establish the price before making a purchase and consider checking with locals for reasonable price ranges. This is always hard to mitigate as each area may endure different cost factors for the same item, so if its 50c extra you pay and think worth haggling over versus OVER the top $10 extra, then I suggest don’t buy it. Look further afield for better value. The same thing happens when buying water in my country. Shops in the same shopping centre, can vary from $2.50 to $5.00. Isn’t that a scam or overcharging? It’s a hard one to measure and find what to measure it by? 3. Fake Tour Operators: The rise of online booking has given scammers the opportunity to pose as legitimate tour operators. This is scary, and I raise a flag here. Be cautious when booking tours online, especially if the prices seem too good to be true. Research reviews and book through reputable platforms or agencies. Facebook is prolific in Vietnam so there is always the option to check the company out by their FB page and communicate directly with operator. Be thoughtful about how you pay for services. Say you will pay cash on completion if you are doubtful or type the tour company name into a Vietnam travel group page like Vietnam for Smart for tourists and Vietnam - The Travellers Experience and see if it gets any hits? Or reach out to yours truly to design you a private tour through my What About Vietnam Trip planning services. 4. Motorbike Rental Scams: Reports indicate scams involving motorbike rentals, where unscrupulous operators claim damages to the vehicle that were already present. Thoroughly inspect the bike before renting, take pictures of any pre-existing damage, and ensure clear communication about terms and conditions. This is a must. Especially for longer trips, I would advise going through a reputable bike company who can back you up if you have a breakdown, or if you need any further assistance during your ride. One very well known company is Easy Riders, and if you are planning a long trip you shouldn't go past Vietnam Coracle for this trips and local bike riding advice 5. Fake Tickets: In popular tourist destinations like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there have been reports of fake tickets being sold for attractions. Purchase tickets directly from official vendors or the venue to ensure their authenticity. Or if you have a tour Operator, ask your Guide to purchase for you to ensure you get the exact tickets you want. That way nothing gets lost in translation. Tips to Avoid Scams: Research and Plan: Familiarize yourself with common scams reported by other travelers. Platforms like travel forums, facebook groups and blogs can provide valuable insights. However, be warned some situations can be over dramatized and toxic. Without sounding like I am blowing my own trumpet, you might like to listen to some travellers in your area of interest on the Podcast, as we don’t pull any punches and if there is a local scam we usually put it out there. 2. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on local news and travel advisories for updates on prevalent scams. 3. Use Reputable Services: Choose well-known taxi companies, established tour operators, and trusted accommodation options. 4. Bargain Wisely: Bargaining is common in Vietnam, especially in markets. However, do it with respect and be aware of the reasonable price range for goods or services. I can’t stress this one enough. I warn people to only bargain if you really are interested in the product. If not say “I just want to know YOUR final price” and if it’s not what you want to pay, then walk away. Special Note: It is becoming increasingly more popular for shops to present fixed price options so if you see a ticketed item, the price is non-negotiable. Unless you buy many and you then you may get a discount. 5.Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and be cautious in unfamiliar situations. Vietnam's beauty and warmth are best enjoyed when travellers are informed and they go in with “eyes wide open”. Not everything is going to go exactly to plan, so plan on that, and you will be fine. By using those god given instincts, and implementing a few simple precautions, visitors can make the most of their time in this captivating country without falling victim to any unscrupulous practices. Top of Form Written b y - Kerry Newsome - Founder and Host - What About Vietnam