Relatively speaking, Vietnam is an affordable country for most tourists. With inexpensive accommodations, cheap street food and low-priced tours visitors can experience an enjoyable vacation on a budget. To the joy of budget travelers, the cost of visiting the island of Phu Quoc is not completely inflated (or, at least it doesn’t have to be!).… Read the rest
Eight rustic, rocky Vietnam islands, collectively known as the Cham Islands, sit off the coast near Hoi An. Also called Cù Lao Chàm, the archipelago is only 9 miles from the mainland coast – which makes it a perfect day trip from Hoi An.… Read the rest
When the first activity while touring the Vietnam Central Highlands was eating fried critters at a ‘cricket farm’, it clearly set the tone for the day. As promised, Mr. Rot’s Secret Dalat Tour was not going to be like any other tour in Vietnam.… Read the rest
When we decided to travel to Dalat, Vietnam as part of our journey through the country, we did it based on a single reason: the promise of cool, mountain weather. We didn’t care about the things to do in Dalat – not the city sights or Dalat waterfalls or tours or food – we just wanted to escape the heat.… Read the rest
My desire to visit Vietnam was ignited the first time I glimpsed a photograph of Halong Bay. It countered the image of Vietnam I had conjured in my head; the one where chaotic streets are overcrowded with motorbikes and stifled with pollution.… Read the rest
Vietnam ranks as one of the most fascinating countries we have ever visited. For a country half the size of Texas, it packs a punch with buzzing cities, natural wonders, historic temples, mountain retreats and beach island getaways. If you are limited on time, but intent on getting a sweeping view of Vietnam, our 2-week Vietnam Itinerary is for you.… Read the rest
Sticking to our budget is key for traveling long term, so we’ve limited ourselves to an average of $100 per day for accommodation, food, drinks, public transportation and any miscellaneous costs that pop up (and they always do). The only thing that takes precedence over the budget is whether or not we’re enjoying the journey.… Read the rest
Being that Hoi An is geared toward tourism, getting a feel for how the locals live isn’t as easy as in other parts of Vietnam. That being said, finding local Hoi An, Vietnam experiences can be achieved by simply getting out of the resorts, off the main shopping streets and into the neighborhoods.… Read the rest
Hoi An sits pretty on a lazy river full of fishing boats; historic, fading yellow houses with red-tiled rooftops line the streets of the UNESCO World Heritage city, which is quite the contrast from buzzing Hanoi. Motorbikes still zip through the lanes, but not nearly as many and the vibe is much calmer, overall.… Read the rest
From the moment we arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, we felt like we had entered another world. The constant street motion and horn honking was both captivating and intimidating. Overwhelmed, we decided to see the sights by wandering the streets of Hanoi.… Read the rest