Everything worth knowing
about Vietnam
Honest, practical articles from people who actually live here — written the way we’d brief a friend before a trip.
All articles
Bat Trang Pottery Village: Hanoi Day Trip Guide 2026
Bat Trang ceramic village near Hanoi — bus 47A for 7,000 VND, the museum for 60,000, pottery classes from 30,000, and what the ceramics actually cost.
Vesak in Vietnam: Buddha's Birthday Dates & Guide
Vesak (Phat Dan) in Vietnam — 2026–2028 dates, the Buddha bathing ritual, processions and lotus lanterns, vegetarian week, and pagoda etiquette for visitors.
Reunification Day in Vietnam: April 30 Travel Guide
What April 30 means in Vietnam — parades, fireworks, what's closed during the Apr 30 – May 1 block, prices in VND and USD, and whether to plan around it.
Hue Festival 2026: Dates, Program, Tickets & Tips
Hue Festival 2026 guide — four-season program, June 13–18 arts week recap, autumn events, ticket prices in VND and USD, and how to plan your visit.
Halong Bay Attractions 2026: Caves, Islands & Viewpoints
What to see in Halong Bay in 2026 — top 10 sights, Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, floating villages. Entrance fees in VND and USD, map of 13 spots.
Bringing Pets to Vietnam 2026: Rules, Costs, Real Life
No quarantine in Vietnam: microchip, rabies shot 30 days out, health certificate. 2026 guide to USDA and DEFRA paperwork, airlines, costs and finding a flat.
Retiring in Vietnam 2026: No Retirement Visa, and What Works
Vietnam has no retirement visa in 2026. What retirees actually use, how it compares to Thailand and the Philippines, frozen UK pensions and insurance after 65.
Healthcare in Vietnam for Expats 2026: Insurance and Costs
What health costs an expat in Vietnam per year: BHYT at 4.5% of salary, private plans $200-1,500, check-ups from $100, evacuation up to $50,000.
Da Nang Fireworks Festival: 2026 Recap and 2027 Plan
Portugal won DIFF 2026. Real grandstand prices, 10 free viewing spots on the Han River, how to get out after the show, and when DIFF 2027 gets announced.
Vietnamese Coffee Guide 2026: What to Order and Where
Eight Vietnamese coffee drinks explained: how they taste, what they cost in VND and USD, and 12 verified cafés in Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, Hue and Da Lat.
Dalat Flower Festival 2026: Dates, Programme, Tips
Dalat Flower Festival 2026 runs 19-31 December. Confirmed programme, venues, December weather, where to stay, how to get there and what it costs.