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
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.
Expat Communities in Vietnam 2026: Where Everyone Lives
Vietnam has five parallel expat communities, not one. Where Koreans, Japanese, Westerners and Russians live, how to get in, and the scams inside each bubble.
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.
Cai Rang Floating Market 2026: Honest Guide to Can Tho
The last big floating market in the Mekong Delta. Boat prices from $10, the 5am rule, how to reach Can Tho, where to sleep, and whether it is still worth it.
Start a Company in Vietnam 2026: LLC, ERC and IRC Guide
How a foreigner registers an LLC in Vietnam in 2026: the new ERC-first rule and its catch, steps, $3-10k budgets, 20% CIT, the DICA account and work permits.