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

Nestled amidst the lush highlands of Vietnam, the city of Dalat is a haven for nature lovers and enthusiasts of all things beautiful. Renowned for its picturesque landscapes and pleasant climate, Dalat boasts an impressive array of flowers that paint the city in vibrant colors throughout the year. From stunning gardens to vibrant markets, there's no shortage of places to immerse oneself in the captivating world of Dalat's flowers. In our latest Podcast talking with Vicki Thai, we delve into some of the most memorable elements of her stay in Dalat. You can check out the whole Episode here A little bit about The Everlastings that Kerry and Vicki discuss on the podcast. The "Everlasting flowers", scientifically known as Helichrysum bracteatum, are a remarkable and cherished botanical feature of Vietnam's natural landscape. These unique flowers are commonly referred to as "everlastings" due to their ability to retain their vibrant colors, shape, and texture even after they have been harvested and dried. This exceptional trait has made them popular choices for various decorative and ornamental purposes, including flower arrangements, crafts, and even herbal remedies. If you have never been to Dalat you will notice some very distinguishable differences about the city, in comparison to the rest of Vietnam. A stay here is made extra special if you have time to check out some of the lovely displays of flowers in and around the city and in many of the gardens that adorn hotels and local establishments. In the podcast Vicki refers to Dalat's unique climate, with its cool temperatures and ample rainfall, it provides an ideal environment for a diverse range of flowers to flourish. As a result, the city has earned its moniker as the "City of Flowers" in Vietnam. Visitors can expect to encounter an array of both native and imported flowers, creating a breathtaking symphony of colors and fragrances that captivate the senses. However, it may be the "mist" that accompanies some days while you visit that may give it some of its magical charm. Prime Locations to Admire Flowers Dalat Flower Park Valley of Love Dalat Market What you can hope to see! Dalat Flower Park: A visit to the Dalat Flower Park is a must for anyone looking to be enveloped in a sea of blossoms. The park boasts an extensive collection of flowers, including roses, hydrangeas, and orchids. Each season brings a different set of blooms, ensuring that there's always something new and captivating to see. The park's annual Flower Festival, typically held in December, is a highlight that draws visitors from around the world. Valley of Love: Beyond its romantic reputation, the Valley of Love is also a botanical wonderland. Among the rolling hills and tranquil lakes, visitors can discover a variety of vibrant flowers, from colorful pansies to delicate daisies. The lush landscapes make this destination perfect for a leisurely stroll while enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds you. Dalat Market: For a taste of local life and an opportunity to bring some of Dalat's floral charm back home, a visit to the Dalat Market is a must. Here, stalls are adorned with an assortment of fresh flowers, potted plants, and handcrafted floral arrangements. It's an excellent place to experience the local flower culture and purchase a piece of Dalat's beauty. The Best Time to Visit Dalat's flowers are a year-round spectacle, with different seasons showcasing varying blooms. However, to make the most of your floral adventure, consider planning your visit during these key times: Spring (January to March): During this time, the city comes alive with vibrant colors as various flowers, including peach blossoms and cherry blossoms, bloom. The Tet Festival (Lunar New Year) adds to the festive atmosphere, making it an ideal time to experience the city's culture and flowers. Summer (April to June): As temperatures rise, a plethora of exotic and tropical flowers come into full bloom, including roses, hydrangeas, and orchids. The Dalat Flower Festival, typically held in December every other year, is a grand celebration of the city's floral beauty. Autumn (September to November): The autumn months bring a sense of tranquility to Dalat's landscapes. Marigolds, chrysanthemums, and dahlias dominate the scenery, providing a soothing palette of warm hues. Find out more about this amazing city from the podcast with the lovely Vicki Thai - https://www.whataboutvietnam.com/series-5/episode-3/heritage-and-discovery-in-saigon-the-mekong-delta-and-dalat

Hoi An, located in central Vietnam, offers a range of popular day trips to nearby attractions that provide a diverse range of experiences, and many of those are very popular with children and families who love the beach, culture, food, entertainment and local experiences. Here are some of the most popular experiences in easy reach of Hoi An: 1.My Son Sanctuary: A UNESCO World Heritage site, My Son Sanctuary is an ancient Cham temple complex located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Hoi An. It was once the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom. Explore the well-preserved ruins and learn about the history and architecture of this significant archaeological site. It’s one of those places you will want to take your kids to see so they can appreciate the culture of the region and the age of the landscape they are walking on. 2. Marble Mountains: Situated just 9 kilometers north of Hoi An, the Marble Mountains are a cluster of five limestone and marble hills, each representing one of the five elements. Climb to the top of the mountains for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, explore Buddhist pagodas, and discover intricate cave systems adorned with statues and carvings. This is best done with a guide. There are many public tours offered around town, or we recommend Tommy Dao tours 3.Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham): Embark on a boat trip to the Cham Islands, a group of beautiful islands located about 18 kilometers off the coast of Hoi An. Enjoy pristine beaches, go snorkelling or scuba diving to explore the coral reefs, and immerse yourself in the relaxed island atmosphere. The islands are also home to a fishing village where you can learn about the local way of life. It’s a super fun day out, and on a sunny day we cannot think of anything more fun to do. Find out all you need to know here. 4. Ba Na Hills: Located about 40 kilometers from Hoi An, Ba Na Hills is a popular hill station and amusement park set amidst beautiful mountain scenery. Take a cable car ride to the top and enjoy breathtaking views, visit the French-inspired Le Jardin D'Amour gardens, explore the Golden Bridge (a stunning architectural feat), and experience various entertainment activities. This is a full day of exploring a major Theme park sitting on top of the mountain looking down on Danang. We likewise suggest you plan this day and arrange through a credible guide or tour operator. Again we suggest Tommy Dao Tours for this area. 5. Hue City: If you have a full day and a half to spare, consider an overnight trip to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Located approximately 130 kilometers north of Hoi An, Hue offers a rich history and cultural heritage. Visit the UNESCO-listed Imperial City, explore the ancient tombs of emperors along the Perfume River, and take a boat ride to the Thien Mu Pagoda, an iconic symbol of Hue. Some say the best way to get there and experience some wonderful views along the way is to travel by train from Danang. That way as a family you get to enjoy the journey there, as well as take in the views during the 3 hour journey. Once in Hue, we would suggest staying overnight and exploring the citadel and Perfume river with the assistance of a guided tour. Check out more about Hue here. If Hue feels like a place too far, maybe a good rainy day activity is a fun visit to the 3 D art in Paradise in Danang. Find out all you need to know here. 6.. Tra Que Vegetable Village: For a more immersive and local experience, visit Tra Que Vegetable Village, located just a few kilometers from Hoi An. This rural village is known for its organic vegetable farming. Participate in farming activities, learn traditional farming techniques, and enjoy a cooking class to prepare a meal using the fresh ingredients you harvested.. This is a very unique experience and the children love working with the local farmers to collect the vegetables and see how the buffalo works to plough the gardens. 7. For a delightful day in the Old Town, we suggest you include Lantern making as an option after exploring the 5 main pagodas. Read here about these main ones in the old town that are included as part of your Old Town entry ticket explained here. As a wonderful souvenir to take home your family will love the colours and lightness of the lanterns. Check out Hong Van – 12/11 Bach Dang Street, Hoi An or email Van at phamvan230986@gmail.com to arrange directly a time and for your group. Oh, and don’t forget to visit the Precious Heritage Museum featuring 54 of the minority groups in full costume and with amazing photography by Réhahn who can be found sharing his adventures with visitors, signing books and promoting the beauty and enchanting diversity of Vietnam. It’s FREE to visit and we suggest you allow at least an hour to go to the upstair rooms that showcase the models and stories collected by this famous photographer. 8. Another great day trip is a 30 minute drive to visit the Mural Village located at Tam Thanh village. Have your driver take you to the village and enjoy a day exploring all the alleys to see how many you can discover. Find more detail about this area on the podcast page here - https://www.whataboutvietnam.com/series-2/episode-4/tam-ky-and-tam-thanh-beach---not-on-the-regular-tourist-track 9. There is nothing better than a day at the beach. An Bang beach is only 10 mins from the old town region of Hoi An and offers gorgeous white sand and shallow waves ideal for the whole family. In addition, local eateries offer FREE sun shaded chairs and access to many water sports like parasailing at affordable prices. Some of our favourite places to set yourself up for the day are The Deck, The Shore Club and Soul Kitchen. 10. This list would be incomplete if we did not mention the shows and theme parks. Firstly, one show that is a must to fit in your stay is the Hoi An Memories show. An extravaganza with 500 performers it is compared to something like the opening of the Olympic games. The whole stage is set on water and attached to a theme park for a very colourful night of tasty food, culture and entertainment. It gets our biggest “WOW” every time. The second show which is not always in town is the Ao Show. Check out the Lune production website for more information and dates. Lets’ hope they are there when you visit as we like to refer to it as the Cirque du Soleil of Vietnam..Traditional storytelling and skilled performers make this show mesmerising. Just one more that likewise deserves mentioning is the Vin Wonders Theme park extravaganza. While you think you may not want to visit a Disney experience like this while in Vietnam, I know families who go there and spend the whole day and have to drag their kids away!! These are just a few of the popular day trips from Hoi An. There are also options to explore the countryside by bicycle, visit local fishing villages, or take a coracle boat tour through the water coconut forests or a sampan along the Thu Bon River. The choice of day trip depends on your interests, time available, and preferred activities.

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. 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. 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. 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 2023 “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 14-15, 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

TET is closer than you think! In fact it's just around the corner. It's coming early in 2023 and as a traveller there's a few things you should know about it. TET falls on January 22, 2023. This is a 6 day public holiday in Vietnam, it begins on January 21 (classified as TET NYE) and runs through January 26. It's the longest and most celebrated holiday in the Vietnam calendar. It can in some cases last up to 10 days as many places allow their staff to take extra leave time to be with family who often may live in remote towns. The Vietnamese New Year is by far the most important festival of the year. It is a celebration of the upcoming Spring, love, and hope for the year to come. The Lunar Year of 2023 is the Vietnamese year of the Cat that symbolizes tenderness, gentleness, and kindness. Overall, it is considered that Hanoi is the one of the best places to celebrate TET as a traveler. Both the Quan Su Pagoda and the Ngoc Son Temple offer the opportunity to see locals lighting incense and praying for ancestors. Travelers will also love seeing the elaborate fireworks displays and the vibrant parties thrown by the Hanoi Opera House. Flowers, small envelopes of money and personal gift giving is an integral part of the TET celebration. Due to the fact that TET is a public holiday, it will affect those traveling in Vietnam as many shops, government offices, and banks close. However, if you want to experience the Vietnamese culture, you may want to consider scheduling your trip around the Vietnamese New Year. The holiday is all about family and travellers shouldn’t expect a large party. It is a fascinating time to visit the country. It's a time where you’ll find elaborate fireworks celebrations, a time for visiting temples, and to take in beautiful flower arrangements. While TET is celebrated throughout the entire country, travellers should try to stay in a larger city. In smaller towns everything tends to shut down during the Vietnamese New Year. Everything either happens before TET or after, but not much during. By that, it’s meant to be a time of relaxation, eating and drinking foods prepared by family members. The cooking preparation starts well before the beginning of TET and everyone including the youngest in the family get involved. You can expect to see a lot of cleaning, refurbishing and redecorating. This tends to start prior to TET as people believe the way they finish the previous year will influence the way the next year will run for them. As you walk around the towns you can see shops, homes and streets being cleared away of junk and spaces cleared to make room for flowers and altars. It’s an extremely colourful time of the year as the streets become filled with flowers, colourful fish tanks, and money trees. 6 tips for Travellers in Vietnam during TET 1. Buy your travel tickets for travel during the TET season well in advance or miss out. 2. Be early at the airport, bus station or train as this is the busiest travel period for Vietnamese who travel long distances to visit family and friends and carry lots of luggage. 3. Make sure you bring all your travel documents confirming all your travel arrangements, tickets, and emergency contact details. Check the latest Covid tests required to be completed before flying. 4. Don’t expect to do too much activity wise on the actual National Holidays as many tourist attractions will be closed or at a minimum their hours will be reduced, and they may even charge an extra TAX. Be prepared to just chill out! 5. Check with your hotel or Homestay about what services will be operating for meals and what are the closest alternative eateries open. 6. Check Facebook pages of places of interest, events, hotels and restaurants for most up to date details of their operation over TET, this is usually where they will announce their opening times. TET is really a celebration of family and friendship and many people will travel all over to catch up with friends they have not seen in a long time and exchange gifts. It is also the time of year when companies bestow gifts or bonuses to employees, so it's a joyous time for locals. It's not really about us tourists, so if you feel a little left out or disappointed in services not being at their optimal levels, then its probably a time of year to NOT visit Vietnam. However if you can appreciate it for what it means to the Vietnamese, you will get to know their culture even more so, and if you make a friend in Vietnam, you may be asked to their home to share a meal after New Years day. This is considered an honour so think yourself a new family friend. Final Note: There are those families who treat all the traditions with great reverence and if you think the family you know may do this, then so as to not offend and pay respects, I would recommend doing some deeper research starting HERE

A tale of one woman who saw a future for Vietnam through the spirit of art. This is a story about Suzanne Lecht who I interviewed a couple of months ago, but I actually got to spend some time with her during my recent visit. Just this September 2022. Time I can honestly say was well spent and left an imprint on me in such a profound way that I wanted to tell more of her story here. The actual show we recorded you can listen to HERE. THIS story of Suzanne's life begins when one door sadly closes. As was the case for Suzanne. when Suzanne's husband unexpectedly passed away in 1992, while they were in Tokyo. She told me she was sad and lost for a long while, but she knew she had major decisions to make. Basically she had to figure out what to do with her life. If you keep reading you are going to find out how Suzanne turned tragedy into an amazing career and life in Vietnam. She made the brave decision to stay in Tokyo for another year while exploring potential new places to call home. As fate would have it, when Suzannes visa was about to expire a friend brought her an article entitled: Art’s “Gang of Five”: the ones to watch hold a third joint exhibition of art from the heart. The article ignited a fire within Suzanne and a brand new dream, one which inspired her to be the bridge between two countries through the spirit of art. She took the very brave step of moving to Hanoi to bring that dream to life, and she really did it! In my interview with Suzanne she explained to me, “I felt a connection. I felt a really strong connection to this country (Vietnam) that was a little bit intimidating, and intriguing, and exotic, and strange and wonderful.” That spirit and connection continues to resonate today in her own studio and home, the Salon. I had the pleasure to visit that space myself on my trip to Vietnam last month, and let me tell you first hand, it does not disappoint! The Salon is an intimate, bright reflection of the culture of Vietnam. Her space is open by appointment only, but also offers art consultations, music events, poetry readings, and private parties. Suzanne also continues to expose the world to contemporary Vietnamese artists because she truly believes in “the past peddling the future.” And how Contemporary Art is showing completely new sides of Vietnam to the world. Visitors to this artistic space will find that the evolution of Art Vietnam mirrors the awe-inspiring pace of change of Vietnam itself, more specifically Vietnamese art. This is a country steeped in tradition which stands poised on the leading edge of the international art world, and Suzanne Lecht is front and center. Suzanne Lecht is recognized as a leading authority on contemporary art in Vietnam. From personal experience, I can tell you that she is authentic and a walking talking symbol of what she preaches. She believes in having big dreams and going for them if it feels right in your heart. Suzanne is the real deal and a sheer delight to meet. I could have spent hours with her talking about life, the world, and the universe. She encourages everyone to visit Vietnam, from her personal experience of traveling the world she’s found the Vietnamese to be the most open, generous, loving people. Suzanne views Vietnam as a peaceful country of endless fascinations. If you’re an art lover and want to invest in Vietnamese art, she suggests now is the time. I couldn’t agree more! Even if you are not an art lover take the time to visit some of the amazing galleries in Vietnam. Bridget March in a show we did together earlier this year offered up her favourites HERE. You can also buy online from Suzanne's The Art Vietnam Gallery HERE For more on art in Vietnam have a listen or a read to these interesting pieces: Contemporary Art - A Window To The Future With Suzanne Lecht Art In Vietnam With Bridget March Art In Vietnam - As A Traveler What You Need To Know Trip Planning Vietnam - Insights For New Travelers NOTE - Some of the mazing dresses worn by Suzanne Lecht in these photos were designed by Diego from CHULA.

Through the podcast, I get to share my adoration and complete love affair with Vietnam. The 'What About Vietnam' podcast has grown and I’ve got so much amazing information to share with travellers who are about to embark on their journey to my favourite country in the world. Whether you are a seasoned pro or brand new to travel in Vietnam, keep reading for helpful tips to trip planning for Vietnam. Do you find yourself wondering when the best time to go to Vietnam is? Do you need Visa’s? Is it safe? Where are the hot spots and what are the “must do” things? You are in the right place because I aspire to answer all of your burning questions about travel in Vietnam and to provide you with offers that will help you have unique and exciting experiences. Vietnam Today Post Covid-19 Travel To Vietnam Many of you may be wondering what travel in Vietnam looks like post Covid-19. I’m happy to inform you that no testing is required to enter Vietnam at this time. Also, effective May 2022, the Vietnamese government has resumed pre-pandemic visa issuance policies. All previous visa restrictions have been lifted. If you exercise similar safety and sanitation precautions as you would at home, or any other country deemed safe to travel to, all should be okay. Pro tip:- Don't be scammed by many websites offering Visa applications and specialist Visa services that don't exist. The process is very simple and easily explained here. What continues to be one of the biggest issues for travelers is dealing with the motorbike traffic in the main cities. As a tourist, this is something that you will need to contend with, but don’t let that scare you off, it’s really not that bad, If you join others crossing a road and choose your walkways strategically it's very manageable. Quick Note re money - If you would like a handy guide to understanding the Vietnamese Dong and what it can buy you, this is a good starting point if you allow for some small currency exchange rate changes. Check here. Language - Vietnamese is one of the hardest languages to master - Try using these short conversational language episodes to help you engage, shop, and eat well! They will love you for trying! Greetings language here Shopping language here Special Dietary language here For more great information on the future travel outlook in Vietnam check out this podcast I was a guest on, Conor Kelly ComebaCK Podcast #371. Now let's start with one of the best ways to experience a country - through the food! Kerry at first cooking class Banh Mi Chef Cugini Restaurant - Hanoi Vietnamese Food The first thing you need to know about Vietnamese food is that it’s incredibly fresh. Think fresh seafood, salads, juices, and noodle soups with amazing broths. The food in Vietnam is unlike many other Asian countries. It is flavorful, and aromatic thanks to the unique herbs and spices that are used to prepare it. Pro tip: It’s possible that your tummy may not know what hit it with the unique flavours about to come its way. I strongly suggest starting a probiotic, a week before you leave. You may also want to bring some anti-diarrhea medication with you on your travels, just in case! Five Famous Foods of Vietnam 1. Banh Mi - Banh Mi is a short baguette with a thin, crisp crust and soft, airy texture. It is often split lengthwise and filled with savory ingredients like bbq pork, pate and salad, and served as a meal or hearty snack. 2. Pho - Considered Vietnam’s national dish, this soup consists of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat or chicken mostly. Pho is a must-try food in Vietnam where it is served in households, street stalls and restaurants countrywide. You will find some differences in flavour and serving styles between the North and the South. But that only adds to the taste experience. You decide which version you like after trying both. 3. Banx Xeo Pancake - Also known as the Vietnamese crepe, Banx Xeo Pancakes are stuffed rice pancakes. The name comes from the sound rice batter makes when it is poured onto the hot skillet. This is a savoury crispy fried pancake made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, stuffed with different things like prawns and pork meat. 4. Cau Lau - Cau Lau is a regional Vietnamese noodle dish, from the city of Hội An. It consists of pork and greens on a bed of rice noodles made from rice that has been soaked in ' water, giving the noodles a characteristic texture and colour that sets the dish apart from other Vietnamese noodle dishes. Crispy bits of pork on top and it's a WOW dish only available in Hoi An. 5. Ban cha - Bun Cha is a traditional Vietnamese pork dish that's a specialty of Hanoi. Seasoned pork patties (I call them squished meatballs) and caramelized pork belly slices are served in a broth alongside rice noodles, fresh vegetables and herbs. Yummy! Pro Tip: If you’re looking for amazing seafood while in Vietnam, you’ll want to head to beach locations like Nha Trang, Danang, Hoi An, Halong Bay, and the Mekong Delta. You can’t beat the freshness here because these areas regularly sell the catch of the day to locals and local restaurants which will offer it to customers in buckets that are displayed at the front of their restaurants. Pick what you want and how you want it cooked! ***** BEST FOOD APP FOR VIETNAMESE CUISINE - Vietnam Food Safari - To help with language and best food choices with recipes - Download the App from here Here are some podcast episodes that may help you when planning some of your experiences while visiting Vietnam: Pro tip: If you prefer to read, each Episode from Series 3 onwards all have their own Transcript, in PDF so you can print and read or download to your device for places with no WIFI. Special Offers For those looking for amazing foodie experiences in Vietnam, I have a few offers that just may fit the bill. Check out this fantastic Cooking Class and Market Tour in Hanoi or the Food Tour and Beach BBQ in Danang. The People Of Vietnam I have to mention the amazing people of Vietnam in this guide. For a country that has experienced so much hardship, I am always amazed at how gracious, kind, and generous the Vietnamese are as a whole. I both work and travel with Vietnamese people and they are kind, caring and always willing to help where they can. They do have a bit of a fascination with us as tourists and that is understandable. It comes from curiosity as they would like to understand us. You will find the people of Vietnam refreshingly kind and gracious. Market Seller Kerry and Nam Restaurant owner Young school girls Hoi An Pro Tip: As a traveller in Vietnam (or any place really) keeping your wits about you for pickpockets is important. Pay attention to your surroundings when in heavily populated areas with a lot of tourists. Sticking to common sense rules you can feel very confident travelling Vietnam solo as I do often. Can’t Miss Experiences In Vietnam As there are so many amazing experiences to be had in Vietnam, this part will only really scratch the surface of what the country has to offer. I’m breaking experiences down into 3 main categories: 1. Water - There are roughly 3200 kms of amazing beaches to relax on while visiting Vietnam. The hot spots being Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang and if an island is your thing, then Con Dao and Phu Quoc are most desirable. Phu Quoc is the "go to" as its quick from HCMC and Visa free. Just transit through HCMC. Not only that, but the country has stunning waterfalls and gorgeous underwater caves! The north features some of the most staggering waterfalls near the Chinese border, and you don’t want to miss the beautiful Phong Nha underwater caves. If you want a taste of the Mighty Mekong, enjoy a trip up through to Phnom Penh or visit its Delta region at Can Tho. You can see families selling their wares on the waterways. Don’t forget to take your mosquito repellant. Pro Tip: My all time favourite for off the beaten track centred around water, is Ba be Lake, so pristine and unspoiled, Mix it with the White Thai people and Hmong tribes, you will get a feeling you are lost in time. Nha Trang beach Ba Be Lake Son Doong Cave 2. Culture and History History buffs may want to start their travels in Hanoi! Vietnam tells you the unique story of countries of conquest including Chinese, French, Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese. Divided into 12 districts, Hanoi can offer you a deep view into history through its museums and places of history. Pro Tip: The Women's Museum is one of my favouirte due its amazing story telling of how women supported the country with NO glass ceiling. For those looking for amazing cultural activities, head to Hue. Then on the Hoi An where you can stay in a 16th century old town, visit shophouses and pagodas; see live art performances telling stories of love and loss over the spice trail period of time. A great place to mix up the old and new with fantastic short wave beaches, ideal for families, you can’t go past Hoi An for a relaxed pace and multi-faceted stay. Pro Tip On When To Visit: Adventure seekers need to pick your time of year if you want to avoid disabling heat exhaustion. You’ll want to head to the north of Vietnam in the months between Feb and May, and you will experience some amazing vistas either by visiting terraced rice paddy fields, climbing mountains in Sapa, kayaking in Ninh Binh or crawling through caves. 3. Luxury Travel In Vietnam Vietnam is perfect for those looking for shopping, luxury, pampering, and relaxing. Designer shopping is a thing in Vietnam. All you need is to know where to go, I may be able to help you with a new tour currently being designed for HCMC. Watch this space for updates.. Pampering is in abundance for around about 350,000 Dong ( approx $15 USD) you can get a very nice massage at a spa centre about every 5 metres in Hoi An. I recommend that you stay for a 'flop and drop' stay either before or after having a more adventurous exploration of Vietnam.. At this price, you can afford to have more than one during your stay. Be like me, have one every second day, which is why I always suggest staying 5 days in Hoi An because I guarantee you will go home feeling like you have had a 'real" holiday. In fact, I’ve got some carefully selected offers to help with your relaxation. Have a look at this amazing Nurturing Retreat, this relaxing Immersive Retreat, or the indulgent Cam Rahn Resort offer. ​​ I hope you’ve found this guide helpful and I look forward to paving the way for you to have a magical time in Vietnam as I share more trip planning tips with podcast episodes and blog posts! Happy Travels Kerry Newsome

Hoi An Memories – The greatest show you will ever see on water! Now open again in 2022. The Hoi An Memories Show is now "back on in 2022" playing nightly in Hoi An to rousing applause. It tells the story of Hoi An and how through love and loss the city came to be. 2 years in the making and part of an overall theme park still under construction it is making a real name for itself as a star evening attraction for tourists to Hoi An. The spectacular 25,000 Sq metre stage set on the waters of Hoai River features over 500 actors and actresses beautifully choreographed to tell the story of Hoi An as a lively and prosperous trading port over the last 400 years. The dazzling lights and state of the art technology, combined with music and dance, showcase a one-hour production totally on water, with over 100 girls dressed in Ao Dai traditional long dress. The story tells of the peaceful life of the local people and how the blend of cultures created the Hoi An you see today. A few big tips: 1. Allow time to explore the Theme park before heading into the show as it features many acts and beautifully themed locations depicting the old town. Great photo opportunities 2. Consider your transport to the venue as it is not realistically easy to get to on foot unless you are staying close the the venue on the other side of the river.(It is located on the Night Market side of town) 3. The show starts at 7.30pm so you may want to consider having an early dinner before heading out there. As of March 2019, the restaurants and food stalls are not that great in my opinion and not cheap. 4. Seats are not allocated with your tickets. It is first in best dressed. Work on trying to get a seat fairly close the stage but in the centre, as the stage is very wide. If you sit at one end you will only see the concentration of performers up that end. There is so much going on, that a wide angle view is the best. 5. Make sure to book as soon as you arrive into Hoi An to avoid missing out. Cost is about 700,000 for the best seating area. It's an amazing production and certainly one to put on your "Things to do list" for Hoi An, as you won't see anything like this in any other city in Vietnam. Just be conscious of the fact it is NOTHING like the Lune Production shows. Some people have referred to it as more like the opening ceremony to an Olympic games!! The sheer expansive nature of the stage and the beauty of the costumes and pageantry does easily lend itself to that description. I am sure you wont be disappointed. Website to book below: https://hoianimpression.vn/ Phone: 1900 636 600 Located – Can Chau Island It runs nightly and is "on the map" in Hoi An as a popular entertainment attraction.

Photo Credit - Pasteur Street Brewing Company One of the best-leaked travel secrets in Vietnam is the booming craft beer scene. Travelers can experience the unique local flavours through delicious craft brews and in many cases great food. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a beer drinker to join in on this fun! This taste sensation is for everyone. To find out more about the amazing craft breweries of Vietnam keep reading. We started exploring this scene with this fine brewery in Danang. Let us introduce you to The Five Elements Brewing Company through our podcast featured this month. The Five Elements Brewing Company On the latest episode of What About Vietnam I had the pleasure of talking to Gary Bett, head brewer at Five Elements Brewing Company in Danang. At Five Elements Brewing Company the warm experience and craftsmanship hold true to Vietnamese traditions. You may be wondering how they capture the expression of the five elements in their beer? Well, they use local ingredients and flavours as inspiration. Some of these are rare and treasured herbs and spices, such as black cardamom, mac mat leaves, chili, bitter melon, and wild forest mushrooms. At the moment, you can find Five Elements Brewing Company at three outlets, Nha Trang, Da Nang and Quảng Ngãi, these are all centrally located and easy to find. But Five Elements Brewing Company is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the booming craft beer scene in Vietnam. Check out the full show here Craft Beer Scenes around Vietnam Craft beer is exploding all over Vietnam and travelers who want to partake in this exciting experience won’t have a hard time finding a great local brewery. If you’re looking for craft beer around Vietnam, these are all great places to start! Saigon The beer scene in Saigon rivals that of any city in the U.S.and Europe and they are just getting started! These brewers love to experiment with local Vietnamese flavours like passion fruit, dragon fruit, and beetroot. Some of the major players in the craft beer scene of Saigon include: Pasteur Street Brewing Company Brews to try at Pasteur Street: Chocolate Cyclo Stout, Jasmine IPA, Passionfruit Wheat Ale Heart of Darkness Brews to try at Heart Of Darkness: Sinfully Good Vietnamese Pale Ale, Marlow’s Mellow Pomelo IPA, Excited Magpie Irish Stout TeTe Brewing Brews to try at TeTe Brewing: Mellow Red, Electric IPA, White Ale Winking Seal We had to include this brand as it has grown off the charts in recent years and today they own two well-loved and established craft beer brands, Sundowners™ Hard Seltzer, eco-friendly beWater™. Check their website for venues and stockists. Hanoi When visiting Hanoi, on any given night on bustling streets, you’re sure to find locals and travelers alike, sitting on tiny plastic stools sharing glasses of ‘bia hoi’, this is the capital’s famous freshly brewed draught beer (not a craft brew). The city’s vibrant beer culture is growing fast and you should get in on it! Some of the best craft breweries we found in Hanoi include: Furbrew Brews to try at Furbrew: Hanoi Saison, Sour Watermelon Gose, Fresh Mullberries (seasonal) Turtle Lake Brewing as seen here Brews a great scene, to try at Turtle Lake Brewing: Mango Smoothie Session IPA, Hanoi IPA, Cold Blooded Triple Rye IPA Homie Brewhouse Brews to try at Homie Brewhouse: Hanoi IPA, Cocovu, Cam WIT Nha Trang and Danang The coastal cities of Nha Trang and Danang are getting in on the craft beer action, with cool locations and amazing beer concoctions. Besides my guests Gary Bett’s brewery, Five Elements Brewing Company there are a few of other notable breweries in Nha Trang and Danang including: 7 Bridges Brewery Brews to try at 7 Bridges Brewery: Dragon IPA, Sunset Tangerine, Beach Blonde With beachside views its not always about the beer! Photo credit - 7 Bridges Danang Louisiane Brewhouse Brews to try at Louisiane Brewhouse: Passion Beer, Red Ale, Pilsner If you find yourself in Nha Trang, and need a bit of help on what to do in the area, make sure to check out 10 Things You May Not Know About This City. No matter where you experience the craft beer scene in Vietnam you are sure to leave with a better appreciation for local Vietnamese flavours and the amazingly inventive concoctions of these breweries. Cheers! NOTE: All the Breweries information provided here is not a reflection of the writer's tastes nor is it any form of endorsement or are they paid advertisements. We suggest you try them for yourself and give us your feedback. If we missed any that you know about, please let us know. A lot has changed since Covid. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The writer does not encourage the drinking of alcohol in any way irresponsibly. Please observe the rules of Vietnam on the consumption of drinking and driving. Please rate, review and send us your comments. Follow us on facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/whataboutvietnam Follow us on Insta here - https://www.instagram.com/whataboutvietnampodcast/ Follow us on LinkedIN here - https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-about-vietnam/ YOU TUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCavCC1--oE5rUhO_SlENmqw

Nah Trang is famous for its many idyllic islands, gorgeous beaches, and fun filled amusement parks. Those visiting this destination won’t find it lacking in things to do. You’ll find Nha Trang on Vietnam’s south central coast, and whether you want to indulge at a luxury hotel, go scuba diving or enjoy the vibrant nightlife this destination has something for everyone. Check out the latest What About Vietnam Podcast and use this guide to the top 10 things to do and plan for in Nha Trang. Email me direct for customised tours or any guidance you need that we don't cover on the show or in this article. Email me at whataboutvietnam@gmail.com 1. Amazing Day Trips There are so many day trip options while visiting Nha Trang. You can visit one of the 19 idyllic islands or spend a day relaxing on beautiful white sand beaches at Nha Trang Beach or Long Beach. While on the coast try your hand at scuba diving, paddle boarding or canoeing. Or make a day out of visiting some of the amazing historical sites in the area such as temples and monasteries. Check out our SPECIAL offer for a 3 day/2 night stay at the famous Movenpick Cam Ranh Resort here. An ideal indulgence to rest up for a long haul trip home or be the start to your adventure in Vietnam. Find out MORE 2. Beautiful Salt Fields The Hon Khoi Salt Fields are one of the largest salt making areas in Central Vietnam. The salt fields are nearly 400 hectares and produce a staggering 740,000 tons of salt per year. The beauty of the Salt Fields is awe inspiring as you see the salt shimmer under the Nha Trang sunshine. Most of the salt workers are women who wear traditional conical hats creating an idyllic and gorgeous scene that you won’t soon forget. This is a great photography location! Insider tip: Head to the Hon Khoi Salt Fields early in the morning for sunrise. The locals begin working at 4 am and you can photograph the sun coming up over the fields as the workers are busy below. 3. Island Hopping Each of the 19 islands surrounding Nha Trang is a unique world of its own. Don’t miss visiting the area and not hopping around these islands. Explore the beautiful long stretches of fine golden sand and gorgeous turquoise waters. Head to some of the most popular islands on the Hon Mun Islets that is situated on the south of Nha Trang Bay. The black stone caves on the island bring visitors for their awe inspiring beauty Or visit Orchid Island for its amazing flora, fauna and wildlife. Check out our special Cam Ranh OFFER here. 6. Fascinating Culture Nha Trang has a fascinating culture and history that you don’t want to miss. Visit one of the pagodas or temples to learn more about the history of this beachside destination. Po Nagar was the point guard pagoda, which was built around the eighth or ninth century by the Cham Civilisation. The Cham were indigenous to the region around that time. This beautiful temple was built on a hill overlooking the river and was based upon an ancient goddess of Mother Earth. There is also Long Son Pagoda, which is a Buddhist pagoda and right in the city center. It's famous because it has a giant standing statue of Buddha whose head kind of sticks out above the trees and looks over the city. You can see this Buddha from many different places within the city. This pagoda also has a very long sleeping Buddha and a big Buddhist temple where monks perform their prayers and their different daily activities. 7. Relax In A Mud Bath Mud is thought to have many medicinal healing properties, minerals and calcite and various different things within the mud are good for your skin. It's supposed to promote healing, but it's also just a fun and kind of interesting way to spend a day. There are several notable Mud Baths in Nha Trang. The process goes something like, you go in and you buy your ticket, you change into your swimming clothes. Then you sit in this bath and these giant taps come on, and it fills up full of this gooey, slippery mud. It's great fun for all the family, whether it's the couple going for a nice day out or the kids want to go out and experience it. You stay maybe 20 to 30 minutes in the mud and then you can go into all of these different hot springs. There are several different types of pools, some are very hot, some of them very cold with waterfalls. Some of the most popular mud baths are: Thap Ba Spa are, Eggs Mud Bath, I-Resort Bath, and Galina Hotel Spa. 8. The Delicious Food Vietnam is very trendy right now, in general, for its food. The Vietnamese food scene is starting to become more popular, and Nha Trang is no exception. It’s not surprising that Nha Trang is famous for its sensationally fresh seafood, in fact it's the seafood mecca of the region. It’s easy to find amazing seafood buffets, such as the buffet at the Intercontinental. Another fantastic option is the Grill Garden, it's not street food and it's not fine dining like the Intercontinental, but it's one of the best tabletop barbecue restaurants and a can’t miss. Insider tip: A personal favorite of mine is Banh Xeo and I highly recommend it! 9. Excellent Golfing Nha Trang has become a golfing region with some truly incredible courses. There are several beautiful courses, all within 20 minutes of each other. Within 20 minutes you can visit courses that are completely different and are perfect no matter the level of golfer. Some of the most popular golf courses are Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang, Ayago Vietnam, Diamond Bay Golf & Villas, and Vietnam TravelMart. Keep an eye out for an upcoming What About Vietnam golf offer *COMING SOON 10. Beautiful Cam Ranh Immerse yourself in the natural landscape and wild scenery. The area is chock full of amazing things to do including visiting the fun Sealife Amusement Park, the beautiful Tu Van Pagoda, or the serene Hon Ba Nature Reserve. Insider Tip: The new What About Vietnam Offer is actually in Cam Ranh! For those looking for an escape from everyday life this is the perfect getaway. You’ll find yourself relaxed and rejuvenated after spending 3 days/2 nights at the Movenpick Resort Cam Ranh. Check out this amazing offer here. Photo credit - https://www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/ninh-van-bay/gallery 11. Amazing Accommodations When it comes to accomodations, Nha Trang has many amazing options. You’ll find everything from beautiful five star resorts to three star hotels, as well as homestays and hostels. Magical resorts such as the famous Six Senses Resort, Movenpick Resort, and The Aminana are perfect for those looking for luxury in Nha Trang. For family friendly options check out the Intercontinental or the Sheraton and since the pandemic you’ll find that the prices at these resorts are incredibly reasonable. Those who like to swim will love the ANAM and the Alma Resort. And if you’re searching for a beautiful boutique hotel stay at the Mila Resort. While budget travelers should take a look at Ibis Styles or the Havana Hotel. No matter what you choose to do on your trip to Nha Trang, it’s sure to be a destination you’ll never forget!

What do you know about art in Vietnam? It’s certainly beautiful and you’ll find art everywhere. However, it can be difficult to know what you are actually looking at when it comes to Vietnamese art. Often, as tourists, we try to cram as much as possible into a stay in Vietnam making it so that the artist’s or craftsman's true technique and storytelling is completely lost on us. Art and craft take many forms in Vietnam, as in lacquerware, paintings, silk, lanterns, pottery, fashion, and homewares. You will learn in this episode of What About Vietnam, that there is a difference between an “Artist” and a Craftsman, who may produce the same style or product many times, yet it takes true skill to do this. We discuss the differences. And then of course how to tell which art is real or fake? Believe it, or not. Not everything is a copy or fake! With the advantage of talented artist, Bridget March, we are going to take a look back about 100 years and really talk about how Vietnam has developed in the art world. You’ll discover how artists were once censored by culture police and that the chronological order of art in Vietnam paints a picture of the country's storied history. Perhaps not a complete picture thanks to symbolism, but we discuss how each element of landscapes holds interesting symbolic meaning. For example, representational mountains are about reaching to heaven. Rivers are about pathways in your life. And you will always see that the people within these landscapes are tiny, and that's because it represents man's small place in the universe. These paintings are very different from life and quite magical in that a Vietnamese person can look at this art and meditate over these symbolic meanings, which differs greatly from Western art. These small nuances are often missed by Westerners when they take in Vietnamese art, so the next time you’ve got the opportunity make sure to truly indulge and take a minute to appreciate these subtle reflective symbolic meanings. Name - Rice Harvest - Artist - Dien Viet - https://hanoi-artgallery.com/rice-harvest-1-sp286/ On this episode of the What About Vietnam podcast we also discuss how the art of black ink calligraphy is meant to be meditative, as well. When it comes to this kind of art it's not necessary that you think it's beautiful, but instead you meditate on the words or the meanings. These are meant to be daily meditations, reminding you to be good and thoughtful. Of course, one of the most interesting and classic forms of Vietnamese art is the lantern. The craft of making lanterns can be found throughout Asia, but there is a story that goes with them in Vietnam. We delve into the interesting story on the podcast and ongoing lantern trends. Yes, there are trends when it comes to lanterns and in Central Vietnam the trend is currently moving towards beautifully patterned lanterns that feature hand painting. Find out where to view these lanterns and so much more! I’d like to thank my guest on this episode of What About Vietnam, brilliant storyteller, and an artist herself of considerable note, Bridget March. She has published 3 books about Hoi An, Sapa and Saigon and has had 7 solo exhibitions of her paintings and drawings in Vietnam galleries and at International hotels. She also has her own delightful gallery, March Gallery Hoi An – See our special offer coming soon. For the list of Bridget March’s favorite galleries, check out her blog post listing them here. Or simply view the show transcript for links.

Beautiful beaches, lush forest and mountain scenery make Phu Quoc one of Vietnam’s prime destinations for travelers. As a place to kick back and relax or take off into the wilderness, the island has it all, and given its location, it’s a seafood lover’s paradise. Now, signs have come regarding the reopening of Vietnam’s tourist industry. And the first destination earmarked to welcome international travelers is Phu Quoc Island. To mark what we hope will be a return to a more normal world, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this special part of Vietnam below. Contents 1. About Phu Quoc 2. Where is Phu Quoc located in Vietnam? 3. Things to do in Phu Quoc 4. Phu Quoc beaches 5. History of Phu Quoc 6. Meet the Phu Quoc ridgeback 7. FAQs About Phu Quoc Phu Quoc Island is actually made up of 28 separate pieces of land, although most are uninhabited. The main region is 574 sq km. Tourism is the biggest industry, but Phu Quoc has over 100 fish sauce factories, and exports more than 400 tons of home-grown pepper every year. Above from left Vin Pearl, Grand World, La Verandah Resort dining and cultural style The island is a popular getaway for both locals and foreigners. Although there are some seriously large resorts there now, Phu Quoc hasn’t completely been overrun by the money-makers. It’s still possible to find small hotels and quiet spots simply by going further afield. Where is Phu Quoc located in Vietnam? When looking at the map, many are surprised to discover that the island lies just 15km off the coast of Cambodia, rather than Vietnam, but we’ll come to that little oddity later! Phu Quoc can be found in the Gulf of Thailand, 45km west of Ha Tien on the Vietnamese mainland. Things to do in Phu Quoc Most visitors go to Phu Quoc to relax, and it’s the perfect destination to do just that. The island is encircled by gorgeous golden sands, it’s easy to get around by motorbike, and you’ll find countless restaurants and bars surrounding the main resorts. If you fancy a break from all that luxury however, try these outings below. Above:Tranh Waterfall in Phu Quoc forest Suoi Tranh Waterfall One to save for the rainy season (or after a downpour), Suoi Tranh is found within the Ham Ninh Mountains and is just 10 minutes’ drive from Duong Dong. Make a picnic and take a half-day to hike around the area – there’s forest to explore, caves and plenty chance for peace and quiet. Call in at Duong Dong market on your way back! Vinpearl Land Amusement Park Anyone who’s visited Hoi An with children will likely know Vinpearl Land already. There’s an equally great day out to be had in its Phu Quoc setting. The entertainment park has shopping, an aquarium, indoor arcades and a wonderful outdoor water park. Phu Quoc National Park Making up 50% of the island’s northern region, Phu Quoc National Park is a wonderful area for outdoor and nature lovers alike. Although some of the park is closed off to visitors for research purposes, anyone wanting to visit the area can do so via Ganh Dau fishing village. Here you’ll find the Khu Rung Nguyen Sinh forest, with designated hiking trails and camping available. Phu Quoc beaches are pristine Phu Quoc beaches All of Phu Quoc’s most famous resorts are situated close to a beach, and given the region is an island, you’re never too far away from golden sand and clear blue waters. But if you’re looking for something a little different, or just fancy exploring the coastline, the following come highly recommended. Rach Tram beach Rach Tram is remote compared to many of the island’s beaches and is predominantly used by fishermen from the village close by. It’s not a place where you can jump under an umbrella and order an ice cream, but it’s a beautiful area for a stroll and some peace. Although there are plans to open up the tourist market there, it remains one of Phu Quoc’s most untouched regions at present. Find Rach Tram to the north of the island. Ganh Dau beach Ganh Dau deserves special mention. It’s not just a lovely beach and quieter than those found close to the main resorts, but you’ll get to see a fishing village and experience a taste of Phu Quoc before the mass development took shape. Look for Ganh Dau beach to the north-west and stop at the village’s fishing market and harbor en route. Vung Bau beach Also to the north, Vung Bau is not the quiet destination it once was. Recent developments have changed all that, with the major Fusion hotel taking over the center of the bay. However, the region remains quieter than much of the south, and it’s worth including here given the sheer beauty of the coastline and its rocky headland. Above Phu Quoc old port area and Cable car History of Phu Quoc Many visitors to Phu Quoc are curious about its history, given its closeness to Cambodia, so here’s a brief insight into how the island became Vietnamese. After being a part of the ancient Funan and then Chenia empires, the islands were home to the Khmer people for centuries. Vietnamese mainlanders didn’t reach Phu Quoc until the early 17th century. A major change in the island’s identity began in the 18th century, when civil wars were occurring across the country and Nguyen Anh of Vietnam’s last royal family used the island as a refuge. French influence across the region in the mid-19th century saw the Cambodian royals attempt to win favor with the Europeans by offering Phu Quoc as a gift. An agreement was later reached, which annexed the island into French hands, albeit with local governance. A complex set of agreements followed until the region was formerly attached to Vietnam under the French in 1949. And despite the end of French influence in the country, the treaty remains in place today. Phu Quoc Ridgeback Meet the Phu Quoc ridgeback We can’t leave Phu Quoc without mentioning one of its most-famous inhabitants – the Phu Quoc ridgeback. Dog lovers around the world may have heard of these rarities, when the first pair were purchased and taken back to Europe in 2015. Whether you’re dog-crazy or not, visitors to the island can consider themselves to have seen one of the rarest species in the world – just 800 are registered. Their introduction to the island is a mysterious one, but they likely descended from a French ridgeback and later developed their own unique characteristics. They’re easy to spot, given the Mohawk-esque ridge that grows along their spine. FAQs How do I get to Phu Quoc? The best way to get to Phu Quoc is on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City. You can also cross the Gulf of Thailand from Rach Gia or Ha Tien on a boat. How do you get around Phu Quoc? By motorbike! You’ll find some taxi services running on the island, but renting your own transport is the best option for those wanting to go beyond the confines of their resort. How big is Phu Quoc? The largest island is approximately 574 km sq. In total, Phu Quoc is made up of 28 separate islands, although most of these are uninhabited. How many people live in Phu Quoc? As of 2019, 179,480 people live on Phu Quoc Island.

Social enterprise travel in Vietnam is a relatively new concept, having been awarded legal status in 2014. With the tourist market opening up in recent years, such organizations have bridged the gap between traditional and modern worlds. This helps the economy without leaving its most vulnerable people behind. For travelers with a sense of adventure, they also offer a unique experience, away from the tourist trails. Below we’ll look at the concept in detail, as well as hear from blogger Emily Lush, who utilized social enterprise networks on her own travels in Vietnam. Contents (Click to go to section) 1. What is social enterprise in Vietnam? 2. Successful social enterprise examples in Vietnam 3. Why do social enterprises exist? 4. Social enterprise funding 5. A different experience for travelers 6. Getting involved 7. In conclusion: the future 8. FAQs What is social enterprise in Vietnam? In Vietnam, social enterprises are organizations that reinvest at least 51% of their profit into a social or environmental cause. As a result, social enterprise companies hold a unique place within society. They’ve made huge gains in tackling some of the country’s biggest social issues, including women’s rights, ethnic minority rights, and human trafficking. Successful social enterprise examples in Vietnam The list of social enterprises in Vietnam is long, but to give examples, KOTO – which operates in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – is a training restaurant, working with disadvantaged youth. Another is Zo Paper, a Hanoi enterprise focused on revitalizing the dying art of handmade paper. At present, only a handful of ethnic minority people in the north have retained this skill. Without such an enterprise, it’s unlikely to make it into the next generation. There’s also Reaching Out Teahouse in Hoi An and Da Nang’s Happy Heart Restaurant – both established to provide work for disabled persons. Other successful examples include tour companies, souvenir shops and accommodation. Why do social enterprises exist? The main objective behind a social enterprise business is job creation. A huge percentage of Vietnam is made up of rural areas and farmland. Many live a way of life that’s been largely unchanged for centuries. It’s vital work, but difficult and makes little profit. Enterprises help to sustain a rural way of life whilst opening the door to new opportunities. Others create jobs for people with physical or learning disabilities and the long-term unemployed. Social entrepreneurs always create a business with a specific goal or target group in mind. Social enterprise funding Setting up a social enterprise often involves external funding from outside investors. Organizations also rely on donations and grants. Given that it’s difficult for companies to be given bank loans, there’s very much a reliance on tourism in order for them to stay alive. Nearly a quarter of the country’s social enterprises operate partially in overseas markets – by selling unique, handmade goods – and such expansion could be vital to the sector’s future. A different experience for travellers Social enterprise can offer a different experience for travellers, as travel blogger Emily Lush explained via our podcast. “Because of the way it’s structured, social enterprise gives travelers a lot of opportunities…to have deep experiences, speak and learn from people firsthand.” People travel for different reasons of course – some just to party and have a good time, and there’s nothing wrong in that. But instead of ticking off the main spots on the tourist trail, you can discover a world few travelers have partaken in. “I was really interested in learning more about the remote communities in the north,” Emily continues. “To be able to go deeper into (off-the-beaten-track) places was very personally rewarding.” Although Vietnam’s north hosts its capital city in Hanoi, beyond it lie villages galore and an immense mountain range, bordering both China and Laos. In amongst the mountains and valleys, many of the country’s 54 separate ethnic minority groups are based. All have their own language, style of dress and individual culture. Emily based herself in Hanoi and used the city as a starting point for setting off on a host of rural adventures. “Two places in particular stand out, and I visited both with social enterprise groups. One is Ha Giang, east of Sapa. It takes a long time to get there, but given the mountain roads and amazing scenery, it features a lot in photos. You can jump on a motorbike and go hustling around those dangerous roads yourself. But with the social enterprise, we were able to do tours by car, with a private driver and guide who is embedded in the local community. I also went to Da Bac, three hours from Hanoi, and not known to tourists at all. In Da Bac there is a project run by the NGO called Action on Poverty. I went over there to check out their homestays. They work with a network of villages, around a reservoir, and have worked with a range of families to set up homestays in beautiful, traditional wooden homes. One thing that I did which is very memorable was take a traditional red dao herbal bath. You sit in a wooden barrel filled with water and medicinal herbs, grown in the village. You sit in the bath and soak, with a view of the rice fields outside. It was very beautiful.” It’s worth touching on cost at this point. There are many travelers who come to Vietnam expecting everything on the cheap. It is possible to have a low-cost adventure in the country, but keep an open-mind when traveling with a social enterprise company. Given where the money ends up – helping people in some way – you may find prices a little closer to those you’re used to back home. Although haggling is a traditional part of Vietnamese culture, buying from social enterprises is not the place to do it. Getting involved Anyone interested in a social enterprise experience should visit Emily’s website as a starting point for ideas. “There’s another site called Grassroots Volunteering, which has a bit of a directory,” says Emily. “And one called CBT Vietnam. They work in Sapa and focus on homestays.” In conclusion: the future Prior to the pandemic, social entrepreneurship was playing an important role in making sure tourism developed in a sustainable way. However, even prior to 2019, Vietnam’s premier tourist attractions were its cities and coastline – and there’s so much more to this beautiful country than that! For anyone wanting a unique experience or an off-the-beaten track adventure in the future, social enterprises can enable such adventures. Be sure to take advantage of these fabulous organizations before the rest of the world catches on. FAQs How many social enterprises are there in Vietnam? A British Council Study in 2019 listed 19,000 different social enterprises in Vietnam. Where are Vietnam’s social enterprises based? Around 50% of Vietnam’s social enterprises are based in its two biggest cities – Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. The other half are in rural regions. What are the main challenges for social enterprises in Vietnam? Discounting the impact that Covid has had on Vietnam’s tourist industry, the biggest challenge is to attract new customers or clients, as well as developing new products and services. What’s the main objective for Vietnam’s social enterprises? For those starting a social enterprise, job creation is the main objective for 60% of organizations. On average, each social enterprise in Vietnam employs 42 direct employees, with work enabling up to 2000 people.

As a great way to mix up your adventure in Hoi An and Vietnam, we had to throw into the mix a tour on four wheels! Not just your ordinary 4 wheels. We are talking Jeeps. Jeeps made to travel all sorts of terrain and over all sorts of landscapes. One of the tours this company has on offer takes you way up into the mountains to visit a tribe called the Co Tu Tribe. There is some amazing scenery along the way and if you are looking for a unique experience to acquaint yourself with one of the most remotes tribes closest to Hoi An, this is the trip to do. See their website at http://www.vietnamjeeptour.com/view/contact-us/vietnamjeeptour.html If you would like to add this kind of tour into your experience and have one of our guides accompany you, then please email us at hellohoianvietnam@gmail.com and we can arrange it for you.

Hoi An translates as "peaceful meeting place". The town could be viewed in some ways as a place that time forgot. It’s old world charm has had a fascination for tourists for a long time now. Some say if you want to see the real Vietnam from a historic perspective, this is the place to visit. While only a short drive from Danang, (less than 30 mins) it’s historic buildings largely remained unscathed by the Vietnam war. In 1999 the old town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries, with buildings that display a unique blend of local and foreign influences. Most prominent in the city's old town, is its covered "Japanese Bridge" dating from the 16th-17th century. In fact most of the “must see” places in the town are jam packed into only a few streets beginning at the Japanese bridge or Pagoda bridge as it is also known. There are 5 famous Assembly Halls in Hoi An. 1. Quang Dong Assembly Hall 176 Tran Phu Street 2. Duong Thuong Assembly Hall 64 Tran Phu Street 3. Phuc Kien Assembly Hall – the biggest 46 Tran Phu Street 4. Hai Nam Assembly Hall 10 Tran Phu Street 5. Trieu Chau Assembly Hall 57 Nguyen Duy Hieu Beyond the Assembly halls, there is this amazing place called: THE OLD HOUSE OF TAN KI 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street This place is special for many reasons in addition to its amazing architecture, design and ornaments dating back to the 16th century. It is mostly recognised for its national heritage, as it used to be the place where heads of state from other countries would come to be welcomed to Faifo. As a tourist they will also show you how they have managed to save their building and magnificent furniture from the floods as they point you to the watermark lines showing how high the waters have come in the building during years when the old town has flooded. However, through Vietnamese resilience and ingenuity by lifting the furniture up into the roof they have managed to keep the building in good condition. For a good read on all the sites in the town and their history check out this blog https://blog.inspitrip.com/7502/hoi-an-ancient-town-a-guide-to-vietnams-unesco-world-heritage-town/ About your ticket to the UNESCO Ancient town The UNESCO town visit involves purchasing a ticket at any one of the various entry points to the town. As a tourist you may often look very obvious to these stand holders, so they have been known to call out to you to make sure you have purchased a ticket. The ticket entitles you to enter the buildings and view the various rooms and various presentations. Without the ticket you can only view the buildings from the outside. The ticket is very cheap and well worth the money. The trick with the ticket is you don't have to visit all the sites in one day. Just make sure you bring it with you as they tear off a portion that belongs to the site you have visited on entry. If you have done the old town prior and don’t wish to do again, you just tell them this at the counter and they will nod with approval. And then just keep walking!! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE A TICKET JUST TO WALK THE OLD TOWN. It’s only required if you wish to go inside any of the UNESCO sites listed here. Please email us hellohoianvietnam@gmail.com if you would like to include this into your experience of Hoi An and we will arrange a guide to join you and possibly take you to other places to make your day complete. Allow about 2 hours to do this tour thoroughly and check on times for the cultural dance shows as they vary from season to season.

Is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. The five mountains are named after the five elements: Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). All of the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels, and as part of your tour you get to climb to the summit of Mt. Thuy. Several Buddhist sanctuaries can also be found within the mountains, making this a noted tourist destination. The area is known for stone sculpture making and stone-cutting crafts however direct rock extraction from the mountains was banned recently. The Marble Mountains are home to several Buddhist and Hindu grottoes. A stairway of 156 steps leads to the summit of Thuy Son, the only Marble Mountain accessible to visitors. The view the summit is amazing taking in Danang and the beach strip. It also allows a panoramic view of the surrounding area and the other marble mountains. There are a number of grottoes, including Huyen Khong and Tang Chon, and many Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries, the temples of Tam Thai, Tu Tam and Linh Ung, and the pagoda of Pho Dong. The sanctuaries feature statues and relief depictions of religious scenes carved out of the marble. It’s definitely worth seeing. Some of the climbing is rigorous and at times some of the gaps you need to squeeze through are tight. Definitely make sure you are okay with confined spaces and are wearing appropriate footwear. For a family experience, it’s something the whole family will enjoy and delight in as some of the caves and grottoes open out into massive rooms housing amazing statues and altars to Buddha. At one point during the Vietnam war, the Vietcong had a fully operational hospital hidden in the caves right under the noses of their enemy. You need to allow a half day to take in this experience from Hoi An. Please advise us if you would like us to arrange this for you and include in your experience. We can do this with a private driver to collect you from your hotel Email us hellohoianvietnam@gmail.com

The act of having a “cuppa”, takes on a whole new meaning in Vietnam, if you can slow yourself down to enjoy the ceremonial aspect of it. Although not quite as steeped in tradition as the Japanese, the tea houses in Hoi An offer you a special aspect of peace and tranquility. If it is silence, and quietness of the mind you seek, then you cannot go past the Reaching Out Teahouse. https://reachingoutvietnam.com/teahouse/the-teahouse/. The unique aspect of this tea house is that the staff do not speak (due to hearing impairments) and you as a customer, out of respect, do not speak either. This means all ordering is done by writing your request on a special order form, and using the notepaper and pencil for other requests. It’s absolutely delightful and I always find if I need a place to quiet my mind and take in the exquisite aromas of the beautiful teas they offer, then this is where I head. In addition, it offers a special experience of Meditation and tea called - Quiet Tea A Tea Meditation Workshop for an Individual All are welcome and no experience of tea or meditation is needed. Tea meditation is a perfect example of the fact you can experience magic in the most ordinary activities of your everyday life. Whether you’re drinking tea alone or with a loved one, be fully aware of drinking of the tea and open your heart to the world around you. Learn how to do this and everyday can be transforming. Bonus: one of our fine Vietnamese teas and home-made cookies included! Ages 16 and up | Most Sundays | February – December 2018 | 9:00am- 10:00am | USD$20 per participant In addition throughout the tea house you will see they sell designer jewelry. These pieces are crafted locally, using a mix of old and modern design. Each piece is unique and made by hand. If you haven't picked it up yet you will realise that your tea experience and purchases at the Reaching Out Tea House offer a double bonus. All purchases go towards funding the skilled artisans and staff who serve your tea and take your orders; This gives people with a disability (PWD’s) the opportunity to learn skills and gain meaningful employment so that they are able to integrate fully with their communities and lead independent and fulfilling lives. It’s a little bit of a tea and coffee paradise where you get to give something back, and at the same time find your own sense of peace.

It's been a long time in the baking. I fell in love with Vietnam a long time ago, and now through this podcast I get to share some of my learnings as a travel blogger and regular traveller over the last 14 years. I continue to work with travelers to Vietnam, and inspired by them, I feel confident I can bring you the information I know I have found hard to find about Vietnam before you actually book. I hope to answer all those burning questions you have about Vietnam. Like:- When to go? Do you need a Visa’s? Is it safe? Where are the hot spots and what are the “must do” things? I hope to bring this information to you in such a way you feel like you are there already !! So, stick around I have lots of information coming your way. In this session, I’d like to get your taste buds salivating about the food. I’d like to share with you my experiences with the people and maybe give you some insights into the kinds of experiences you can choose to have,.......... and where to find them. I want to invite you…. to the Vietnam I know and love So lets dive in, When I think of Vietnamese food, I think about fresh seafood, ….fresh vegetable salads, …...juices, …..noodle soups with amazing broths,..... Baguets that are filled with varieties of pork, called Banh Mi, and colour. Aromas that draw you in from the street.But to silo Vietamese food into one strand of flavours marked as traditional,...... you would be missing out on the fusion of asian flavours it offers.To get the full frontal of the basics at a street level, I urge new travellers to do a street food tour in one,... or all of the main cities. I have always believed that you never know a country…. or its people until you immerse yourself in its food. So, if your palette and digestive system allows, try and be open to exploration. Check out local markets, and while the smells and views of food vagrantly sitting out on benches may be overwhelming at first, ...Put your “when in Rome, do as the Roman do hat” and try some of the traditional dishes at least. A little tip here, so your tummy doesn’t know what hit it with the flavours about to come its way, I strongly suggest maybe starting a probiotic, a week before you leave, and bringing with you some anti diareahea medication. The food, while fresh is grown in different soils to possibly our country of origins and often this can bring about a digestive upset for the first few days as it settles down. So precautionary only as not a biggy. Those who cannot eat peanuts, or chilli, may want to ask a lot more questions about the way it was cooked. I hate to bring this up now, but I’d be remiss if I didnt mention as I have seen to many cases, including my own, in a bit of shock when the rumbling starts….Okay enough of that, lets get stuck into those 5 delicious dishes that Vietnam is world renowned for:- Five main foods Vietnam is known for:- No 1 - Banh Mi - No 2 - Pho - explain No 3 - Banx Xeo pancake - No 4 - Cau Lau - No 5 - Ban cha - Bun Cha is a traditional Vietnamese pork dish that's a speciality of Hanoi. Seasoned pork patties (I call them squished meatballs) and caramelised pork belly slices are served in a broth alongside rice noodles, fresh vegetables and herbs. And try if you can….. try not to get caught up in all the taunts about eating strange animals as it is NOT common practice, and in fact I have not gone down those streets so I can’t even tell you exactly where they cook dog, which does occur in the north, or pigeon, rat, or snake. So as Im not an authority after 14 years of travelling to Vietnam, I’ll leave it there. I will tell you that there is definitely a difference in flavours and cooking between the North and the south. Even their spring rolls are different. And distinct to some regions will be dishes like White rose dumplings - famous in Hoi An, as is Cau Lau. Crazy as it sounds it is hard to find Cau Lau out of Hoi An. Despite its simplicity of being a noodle dish with crunchy pork crackling bits, and a broth that is to die for. It’s everywhere in Hoi An. But you will search high and dry for it in HCMC.As a rule of thumb, with very blurred lines in the centre, The north tends to be more meaty and the south sweeter and seafood orientated. A word of warning, if you think your kids are a bit hyper and you don’t know why…….Mind the sugar, as you will find they put sugar in almost everything, even fruit juices like Pineapple, watermelon, etc But you can say NO Sugar. Obviously, beach locations like Nha TRang, Danang, Hoi An, Halong Bay, and the Mekong Delta are rich in seafood which they regularly sell the days catch to local restaurants who will offer it to customers in buckets that are displayed at the front of their restaurants …...so you can pick what you want to have cooked in whatever way you wish. While it may look cheap and chearful you will usually be surprised at how good it tastes. And you can’t beat that freshness. And while you have seen plenty of those Vietnam tourist photos with little red chairs. They are standard seating in very local places. They are also part of what a “pop up” restaurant is all about. You can be walking along a street in Hoi An, and before you know it, the chairs come out and all of a sudden you will see set them set up…... grilling tasty sticks of pork or skewered prawns and you can just grab one and sit on one of those chairs for less than a couple dollars. It’s the aromas, and relaxed state of being that draws you in. No fuss, no parking to organise, no booking to be made. On the other hand you can walk further down the street and see restaurants side by side touting their daily specials. Like any other country Vietnam has morphed into a multicultural society, and amongst the craziness is some amazing chefs emerging with new restaurants and bringing their culture to the table, in Australian, Japanese, Korean BBQ and Asian Fusion. I can honestly say, I dont think I have had a bad meal in Vietnam. Sure Ive had those that have not been to my liking, But for the most I am with people that guess me well or I am on a food tour and learning new tastes and dishes. I still do food tours as i love learning more about Vietnam through its food. For #Vegetarians ...you will love it, as #Vietnam has you covered well with their juices and fresh vegetables and noodles. #Coffee is a culture all of its own. Its an outing. Its not just a drink, its a way to say hello and make a new friend. Along with their teas, you will want to find any excuse to have a coffee or a tea possibly in a old shophouse that has been converted to a Tea House. A very beautiful ornamental shop house in Hoi An, is also known as the Quiet American as it was featured in the film and the house is still owned by the family. I got to visit the upstairs bedrooms one time to see old family photos on the walls dating back centuries. Just amazing to see. Every frequent visitor has their favourites. A place called Cocobana in Hoi An is one of mine for tea. It offers foot baths while you enjoy your cup of something specially grown for them, with lots of herbs and stuff. Your feet and your senses always feel fabulous when you walk out. a great respite from the heat. And so with things like #Eggcoffee, it is not found everywhere. Mostly in the north and central districts.and not one of my fav things, but maybe if it’s on the menu you should try.Vietnamese are not well known for drinking alcahol. While people love their beer, they are not traditionally big drinkers. Of course with influence from other cultures that is changing. The best thing to try in the drinking department is #BaiHoi. This is A beer they brew mostly in Hanoi, on the day, and you drink it as it comes ( not necessarily cold) until its gone. There is a kind of ceremony thing that goes with it , with cheers and more cheers. The alcohol is said to be less alcahol (40% less) so that you can sit with the locals and drink with them all day. Easily done at around 5,000 - 10,000 Dong a glass. 0.45 cUSD there is actually a corner in the old town called bai Hoi corner, ask any guide they will show you where it is. By the end of your drinking session, I guarantee you will have made new friends despite the fact you won’t understand a word they are saying. Its all got to go... in the day, and usually is, so make sure you get there early if you happen to stumble on a stall in the Old Quarter. They are easy to spot as the barrell comes out and the plastic glasses are handed out. The party has begun.10am to 10 pm most days. If I move on now to describe to you something about the people, you will need to be aware I am speaking from my experiences…. and from those shared with me from some of my travellers and the suppliers I deal with. For a country that has experienced so much hardship I am still amazed at how gracious, kind and generous the Vietnamese are. I work with Vietnamese people and I have travelled with Vietnamese, and for the most part they are kind, caring and always willing to help where they can. They do have a bit of a fascination with us. They would like to understand us, but as we, the collective force of tourists cannot understandably all be clumped together. It makes it difficult. I get the Aussie Aussie c’mon often or Gidday mate… and thats about it! One example... I have dropped my hotel door key card, in the middle of a market place and had the person who found it chase me to give it to me. Another ….I have been staying in a hotel in Hoi An for a long stay and before I knew it after many conversations was offered a job. I have met a lady who gave a cooking class and has since become one of my best friends who I continue to travel around Vietnam with. Vietnamese are open, warm and slightly conservative in my experience. They aren’t flashy or whimsical. They mostly follow Buddhist traditions and favour anyone who does also. Family is everything and so is looking after their older generations which is why they may have done so well with Covid as they generally don’t tend to house the old in old peoples homes. In fact there are not many of these types of places in Vietnam. Mostly someone will be looking after that older person, be it some…... better than others. History Vietnam - They are a war ravaged country and there are distinct differences between the north and the south, but for many years the voices of unrest are quietening and as the young replace the old, the dissent is almost gone.As far as how they feel about the Vietnam war, likewise the generation x don’t really understand it as they don’t get taught too much about their own country’s political history… I am not sure if that is a good thing or not. So as a traveller and like in any city, keeping your wits about you for the those criminals you will find anywhere;- typically ...that pick pocket lives everywhere unfortunately,...if you sticking to common sense rules you should feel very confident travelling solo as I do often…. or if you bring children and the elderly,.... other than dealing with the motorbike traffic in the main cities that will be the biggest things you will need to contend with. While I am recording this in the middle of the pandemic, it will be interesting to see how the country moves forward as there were reported cases in the country areas of locals being aggressive to foreigners, which is what we are called, specially us white ones, if I can say that… there were cases of aggression as they blamed us for bringing the virus to their country. Of course that is only partly true as it did come from other countries but to bundle every foreign traveler as a potential risk, was not warranted. So...I will be keen to see how that relaxes once the pandemic is under control or we have a vaccine. As I was in Vietnam right in the middle of March, I was temperature checked and at all times I felt safe amongst the Vietnamese but I did conform to wearing a mask and social distancing. As the people differ by regions, so do the experiences you can expect to find. For simplicity I have broken experiences into 4 main categories. I am only only going to dust the surface on experiences as my next series- A TRAVELLERS GUIDE TO EXPEREINCES, will feature first hand accounts with interviews with people who have had their own experiences such as these,.... and many others and they will give you their version. Much more fun, and nothing you will find in a travel book.But as the purpose of this series is to get you set for a trip to Vietnam, the least I can do is get you excited as Vietnam, has so much to offer. So here goes - Water - Vietnam offers so much to experience in the way of water. Beaches - there is 3200 kms of coastline for starters. Your hot spots being Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang and if an island is your thing, then Phu Quoc is the go and Visa free. Just transit through HCMC. The north features some of the most staggering waterfalls near the China border, and lets not forget the beautiful Phung Nha underwater caves, ... which seems to be opening up before our eyes with 12 new caves discovered only last month. My all time favourite for off the beaten track in water, is Be be Lake, so pristine and unspoilt, mix it with the White Thai people and Hmong tribes, you will get a feeling you are lost in time. Visit magical caves by boat and take in a world of stalik mights and staliktights. And of course you must veer south if you want a taste of the Mighty Mekong: enjoy a trip up through to Phnom Penh or visit its Delta region at Can Tho where you still can see family sellers selling their wares on the waterways. Don’t forget to take your mosquito repellant. Lets get Historical and explore the culture of the country for an expereince. If you are a history or war buff, this country can take you across many countries of domination including Chinese, French, Portugese, Dutch and Japanese. If you start your historical adventure in Hanoi that will kick you off well. Divided into 12 districts, Hanoi can offer you a deep view into history through its museums and places of history, with a Woemns Museum being one of my favouirte due its amazing story telling of how women supported the country with NO glass ceiling it seems. If they could don a uniform and fight …..they have just as many rights as anyone else. And you will see that many women hold roles of importance in the country and in family businesses they tend to be the entrepreneurs. Still in a culture mindset you can travel to Hue to enjoy a treasure trove of Imperial history. Then on the Hoi An where you can stay in a 16th century old town, visit shop houses and pagodas; see live art perfromances telling you stories of love and loss over the spice trail period of time. A great place to mix up the old and new with fantastic short wave beaches, ideal for families, you can’t go past Hoi An as a multi faceted stay as many of my guests in the next series will test. Adventure seekers - you need to pick your time of year if you want to avoid disabling heat exhaustion. Head to the north of Vietnam in the months between Feb and May, rug up and you will expereince some amazing vistas either visiting tea plantations, climbing mountains in Sapa, kayaking in Ninh Binh or crawling through caves in Cat be National Park: Exploring the national parks could consume your old stay, while enjoying local homestays, with families taking care of you with home cooked meals. Or maybe you’d like the on road expereince of a bike, then get the right advise from people lile Mark Bowyer at Rusty Compass and others who have made alife doing just that. I hope to have on my show in the next series so he can tell us first hand what its like. Now for those who are looking for Shopping - eating - luxury - pampering - relaxing - golf You might like to check out a shopping and appearing tour I happen to be co hosting next year, 2021 - www.shopeatloveourvietnam.com Designer shopping is now a thing in Vietnam all you need is to know where to go… I may be able to give you a steer there as I am co hosting a pamper shopping tour next year. Hanoi has the joy factor there and likewise in HCMC with the up and coming designers wanting to make their mark in clothing, gifts and sustainable wares. Eating - Oh god don’t get me started on food again, but if I want to relax,..... I am always going to get out of the main cities and head to Danang as the busiest of cities and then to Hoi An for food. However, in saying that:- Hanoi and HCMC have some sensational places to eat, from street food to rooftop bars, you can get it all. Or you might like to explore the city in HCMC on a dinner cruise, looking back over the city. If you are prepared to pay what you would back home then the food on these dinner cruises is sensational. See my notes for a recommendation. Pampering is in abundance, 350,000 dong can get you a very nice massage and with a spa centre every 5 metres in Hoi An, it would be my recommendation….to stay…. for a flop and drop stay either, ….before or after…. some other adventure. At this price, you can afford to have more than one during your stay. Be like me, have one every second day, which is why in another episode I have suggested to stay 5 days in Hoi AN….go home feeling like you have had a holiday. I mention golf in here, as there is a new trend of golfers coming in small groups and with partners. 5 courses in easy drive from Hoi An. I brought a group over last year, they tell me the courses are first class and as you can add in the culture and food to the trip, it makes for a great round trip of enjoyment for the golfer and non golfers alike. So in wrapping up this episode,... Please check with the Episode notes for any links mentioned and feel free to contact me anytime. I look forward to paving the way for you to have a magical time in Vietnam as I share more trip planning tips over future episodes ...Thanks for listening. Bye for now... Listen here or choose your favourite channel - https://whataboutvietnamtripplanning.buzzsprout.com/ #Vietnamtripplanning #Vietnamtravel #whataboutVietnam #bestdestinations #whouldshouldiavoidinVietnam #traveldestinations #trips #Postcovid #Travelagain

Rocking, rolling and spinning around on these famous coconut boats is an absolute basket of fun. The Basket Boat is known locally as “Thung Chai” and is very popular among the local fishermen in the central regions of Vietnam. The longer you stay in Vietnam the more you will see fishermen use them to catch fish with a fishing net and to carry oil, wood, food and other things they might need while fishing. The safe capacity of the boat is normally 5 people max (4 guests + 1 rider). For fun, the tour operators will often spin the boat on its axis using the oar to push it round and round. You don’t necessarily have to spin it, but it takes some practice to manoeuvre and the only way to get the hang of it is to have a go. The Basket Boat is also called “The Round Boat”, for obvious reasons. Another name for it is “The Coracle Boat”, from Wales in The Great Britain. Now that's a bit of trivia we bet you didn't know. The boats are well managed by mostly very experienced tour operators who get much joy from taking tourists out through the water coconut forests and showing their guests how to throw the nets and catch fish. It's a fun day and we strongly suggest if you and your family decide to do it, you will have a ball. Contact us for details of the best operators in the area to book with. It’s no sweat off us to do so Enjoy!

The virus plaguing our world at the moment is a 'hot' topic and on the mind of all travellers, no matter where they are traveling. #Vietnam as a country which borders China and received over 4 million tourists last year was quick to implement strategies to mitigate the risk of further contamination, and to keep elements of fear and concern at a reasonable and rational level. Has that been achieved? What we know as of today 17.2.2020 It's a fact. There is a lot of media out there about the #Coronavirus epidemic/pandemic – #COVID -19 sending elements of fear into the minds of potential travellers to Vietnam. It's fair to say that many travellers have concerns. Based on perception or fact, they remain real. Let us take a look at what we know so far to hopefully put things in perspective. Lets first address the most recent news concerning a community of 10,000 people being quarantined to their village in Son Loi, approximately 60kms north of Hanoi; This recent quarantine measure in Son Loi is an example of Vietnam’s quick and decisive approach to mitigating risk. The community reported a 50-year-old man in Sơn Lôi Commune, Bình Xuyên District in Vĩnh Phúc Province. He is the father of a 23-year-old patient among eight Vietnamese workers sent to Wuhan for training last November and confirmed positive for the virus in January. To stamp out any further spread, the government acted promptly by zoning off, and quarantining the affected region in total. This approach, along with the following key actions has meant that in a population of approximately 96.2 million people, Vietnam has reported only 16 cases. Thankfully with good medical care, 7 of the patients have recovered and been released after receiving treatment. Please see below some of the current Vietnam Government strategies in place to mitigate risk and manage the spread of the virus:- 1. Closure of overland border crossings between China and Vietnam. Travellers in more remote border crossings into Vietnam are being denied entry if they possess any China visa history in their passport. 2. Vietnam stopped issuing visas for Chinese tourists on January 30 as a temporary measure. Flights to and from mainland China are suspended indefinitely. 3. Foreign visitors who have visited China (including transit) 14 days prior to arrival will also be denied entry into Vietnam. 4. Epidemic prevention training has been implemented for flight crews. 5. 14 day quarantine of all travellers from affected areas in China 6. Increased disease screening at International points of entry 7. 4 hospitals designated by the ministry of health to handle potential cases 8. Increased prevention measures adopted at all health care facilities 9. 45 Quick Response Medical teams to set up and manage hospitals nationwide to handle cases if they appear. 10. Cancellation of many festivals in Vietnam 11. Temporary closure of public schools in 63 provinces 12. Zone off and quarantine of affected areas in Vinh Phuc Province for 20 days It is important to keep things in perspective and note that while the Virus has appeared worldwide:- In regard to Vietnam: * The first confirmed cases of COVID-19 appeared in Vietnam on Jan. 23, 2020. Of the confirmed infections in Vietnam to date, 13 are Vietnamese, two are Chinese and one is American. The confirmed infections were found in the northern province of Vinh Phuc (11), in Ho Chi Minh City (3), Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province (1), and Thanh Hoa (1). Vietnam tour companies and allied businesses are taking their own steps to manage traveller safety. Many businesses are being fully trained and versed in all the recommended Government safety measures. In addition, eateries are paying extra attention to their cooking processes and quality of ingredients used. Whilst the virus continues to plague our world, in Vietnam you can see everyone is doing their best to ensure traveller safety and protect their borders. Like many other countries Vietnam is feeling the pinch badly, and wants to allay as many concerns as possible for its tourists. Please see below the links that may provide you more in-depth information. https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-business-operations-and-the-coronavirus-updates.html/ https://vietnamnews.vn/society/592219/special-task-force-sent-to-vinh-phuc-as-16th-coronavirus-patient-confirmed.html * https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/information-travellers-novel-coronavirus-vietnam I hope this article helps you make an informed decision about your next trip and we look forward to seeing you in Vietnam very soon. Please feel free to reach out to me at hellohoianvietnam@gmail.com if you have any further queries.

Just to mix things up a little, we strongly urge you to consider taking a Vespa Tour around Hoi An. There are many kinds of tours available; short around town and local village tours, evening restaurant hopping or longer tours of 2-3 day tours. Its crazy to say but once you get the bug, you will find it hard to want to go to places any other way! The riders are all well-trained, experienced, friendly and safety conscious, so don't worry, it’s just as important to them to make sure your journey is hazard-free. Its so worth checking out the website for all the options: http://vespaadventures.com/hoi-an-tours/ However, hellohoianvietnam has selected this tour as their favourite because it takes you to Hue via the Hai Van Pass and Langco Beach. So many great vantage points to shooting amazing vistas and steeped in history. But we don't want to give it all away…. You have to see it for yourself. You begin your Vespa Adventure as your experienced drivers bring you out of Hoi An & along the coastal road stopping at the North end of the world renowned Da Nang Beach. Then after a quick break on the suspension bridge overlooking Da Nang City & the fishing port, you head along Da Nang Bay and stop for a local-style coffee. Heading up the famous Hai Van Pass by motorbike, you’ll take in the amazing views over the bays before stopping at the top to see the old war battlements and bunkers & learn about the fascinating history and strategic importance of the pass. Then it’s back down the Hai Van Pass for fun hairpin bends and windy hill roads, before taking a brief stop to take in the amazing view of Lang Co Beach & Lagoon from near the level crossing. It’s back on the Vespas and after riding around a lagoon adorned with stilted houses & oyster farms, you’ll have a well-deserved Vietnamese lunch in a delightful local setting. The fascinating ride continues as we head north on to the quieter coastal road, passing through the magnificent rural countryside. You ride past many ancestral houses & tombs which play an important part in Vietnamese culture, known as the ‘City Of Ghosts’. You’ll then jump off the bikes and head up to a hilltop Buddhist pagoda with stunning views of the huge lagoon. After a break in a local cafe, you visit & learn about the history of a thousand-year-old Cham Temple and the Champa Kingdom. The final stretch takes us through yet more beautiful rural landscapes and local villages; you visit a local family making fish sauce, pass by many ornate tombs and ancestral houses and check out a local boat building yard before arriving in Hue city. The day and Hai Van Pass tour will conclude in Hue with drop off at the hotel. Please email us hellohoianvietnam@gmail.com and we can arrange either transport for your return and or hotel overnight. *Highlights* – Da Nang Beach, Hai Van Pass by Vespa motorbike (like Top Gear!), old war bunkers, hilltop Pagoda, ‘City of Ghosts’, Cham Temple, classic Vietnamese lunch, local fish sauce making family, boat building yard, conclude in Hue. If you would like to know more about the tours and book through us as an add on to another experience of your choice, please email us at hellohoianvietnam@gmail.com and we will work it into your stay. *Please note that your travel insurance may not cover if you have an accident so be aware that while this company is highly reputable, accidents do happen. Photo Credit: Vespa Tours facebook page. Thank you.