What about Vietnam - Traveller Insights

What do you really need to know how to say in Vietnamese?  That's a hard one to guess ahead of your visit I know, but  if you have special dietary requirements you might like to save, download this one and print transcript. In Episode 1 of this 3 part series, we start with greetings, because that’s where all polite conversations start. But, what’s the right word to politely summons a waiter?...

Learning Vietnamese is not easy, but I have always thought it to be handy to know a few words in certain circumstances.  English is widely spoken in the main cities, but in the North and in the more remote regions, not so much. You will soon find that the Vietnamese staff in retail and hotels have learned a few key words in English, so I’ve always thought it only fair I learn a few words of theirs...

We all deserve a few laughs after the years just passed.  So to discover there is a “happening” Comedy Scene in Saigon, I thought this has got to go on the MUST DO things during your stay in this vibrant city. That’s the amazing thing about Vietnam. Despite everything it gets thrown from Covid to typhoons…it always finds ways to astound you! So, let's kick off the year with a podcast that tal...

Mui Ne - A sun kissed piece of paradise that offers an amazing contrast of experiences.  This idyllic location will blow you away literally as the winds bring thousands each year to kitesurf . This, alongside adventure lovers on dune buggies on white and red sand dunes will have you believing for an instant you are in the Sahara desert. But only for a milli second. Its more recent badge is for bei...

The final episode in this series. A short episode to close out the series, I am again joined by Miquel Angel as we discuss the broader challenges of trip planning. “While time is in your hands” says my knowledgeable guest Miquel, it does take astute planning to get the best out of the regions within a restrictive 14 day trip, which was the basis of this series. This is a 3 -part series, so may I s...

In this Episode we explore the value of time on a holiday in Vietnam.  This is part 2 - with Miquel Angel. While we discussed in Part 1, the aspects of travel opening up to 5 provinces from November 2021. In this Part 2, we expand the travel opening conversation and unpack the normal trip duration of 14 days to see the main destinations. From there we discover the highlights and lowlights impacted...

As the doors to Vietnam begin to open to travel after months of being closed, our eyes and ears are keenly focused on what the entry conditions will be. Most importantly for international travellers, as the doors to us have been closed since March 2020. In this Episode which is Part 1 - of a 3 part series, I am fortunate to have Miquel Angel on the program as Head of the Human Resources & Qual...

When we think about noodles, we probably don’t pay too much attention to their origin. For most of us, they have usually come out of a box, all cut exactly to the same length and shape. In Vietnam you will experience many dishes including the quintessential favourite, Pho, that includes noodles. However in Vietnam not all noodles are the same, and they don’t come out of a box. They are made fresh....

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a foreign country? Especially a country as beautiful as Vietnam.  Have you ever visited a place, and thought,  I wish we could go back and live there. With everything going on in the world over the past couple of years, I think many of us are asking ourselves big life questions, like  - "Is this as good as it gets?", "Retiremen...

In todays' world of media there are so many news broadcasters competing for your attention, it’s hard to know which one to trust. With the advent of Covid’s most devastating outbreak in Vietnam and in particular Saigon happening in 2021, getting local insights in English has been challenging. Albeit, when many other countries around the world are opening up, it's been hard to comprehend,...

Thousands of downloads across these TOP 5 Episodes reminds me why I started the What About Vietnam travel podcast series.  It affirms to me you want to hear from real travellers, locals on the ground and ex-pats who can share their experiences in a way you can’t find anywhere else.  So today you are going to hear some clips from the TOP 5 most popular episodes for 2021. 1.      S1-1 – Vietnam trip...

Hanoi, where the old and the new live side by side.  A city rich in history and culture and yet bursting at the seams to change. A city where tourists prefer to seek out the rich tapestry of traditions, amongst the buzz of ordinary street life, in all its craziness.   Whether you decide to walk the streets or ride a bike to get around it, there are some great tips you should listen for,  when you...

If you are a foodie and looking for something adventurous in Vietnam; Something fun!  ( I mean hysterical) and a bit out there! My guest Fleur Sharpe has the goods! Let’s just say, the menu for lunch in Hanoi took a turn for the wild side when Fleur and her husband decided after checking the reviews, that eating at a snake restaurant in Hanoi, could be fun!!  With a bottle of French Champagne unde...

Travel in Vietnam opens our eyes to many different kinds of experiences. Whether it’s exploring the mountainous areas of Vietnam visiting minority groups and staying in homestays;  shopping in one of the big cities, or simply just visiting one kind of restaurant over another; all leave a lasting footprint on us, the people we meet and the environment we touch. In today's episode, we are going...

Diving in Vietnam is NOT something you would traditionally think about doing on a holiday there. But alas, that is exactly why we are featuring diving and watersports in this Podcast Series. Where are the best dive sites? Is it safe? How much does it cost? What can I expect to see in regards to fish and coral? Best times of the year to visit? Are there Padi qualified instructors in Vietnam? It&apo...

Whether you are the hard-core adventure traveler or just someone who loves scenery that is breathtakingly beautiful, you will love hearing about this region from my guest on today’s show. “The Ha Giang Loop”, as it is referred to on many a travel website and Instagram page is a region of approximately 350Kms and is claimed to be a bike riders paradise.  If you love hiking, trekking, caving, explor...

Danang is our location and my super talented and knowledgeable guest Pedr Finn from Vietnam Food Safari tours, is our pathfinder into the city and our doyen of Vietnamese cuisine If you are curious to try Vietnamese food but never quite sure what to order on the menu, Pedr offers up his favourites across breakfast, lunch, and dinner,…or “second lunch” as the Vietnamese sometimes refer to it. Pedr...

FEAR NOT... there is a love for Saigon or HCMC as it is known that will transcend any and all of the challenges it has had to endure due to the Pandemic. It is and will remain a vibrant city with districts offering up a plethora of things to do, and places to explore. We see it as a city embracing change while at the same time keeping its rich culture. This is the ultimate guide to the best distri...

CNBC published in their Global Traveler Magazine an article entitled " Why This Remote Gem Should Top Your 2020 Travel List." Here's just a couple of excerpts from the article, "Deep in the valleys forged by the waters of Asia’s Red River, a series of colorful mountain villages are encircled by fields of towering rice terraces. The fields are agricultural feats of precision — r...

I am stepping out of the norm in this episode to share with you some travel industry knowledge from people I consider in the know, and who you may not normally have direct access to.  This is the episode for those people who don't know what to believe is really happening with travel developments in this region and what source to trust. In this episode, you are going to hear a very frank “no h...

Have you ever been curious to see how people lived hundreds of years ago along the mighty Mekong river? River cruising is the only way to do it in luxury, and still feel the essence of it as a water highway relied upon by a diverse range of local communities. Immerse yourself in the mighty Mekong river with a river cruise through the most remote parts of Vietnam and beyond.  Connect with locals wh...

Be ready to discover a world that time has forgotten.  Enter the colourful world of the Bac Ha markets in Vietnam. Where century-old traditions create one of the most unique travel experiences of your life. Are you a budding photographer? Have you seen images of brightly coloured traditionally dressed Hmong women with their babies on their back tendering to their families as they sell their wares?...

Do you love to try new food?  Do you like to experiment with new cuisines? What about learning a new culture and having some fun along the way? Then a cooking class is a must to include in your tour of Vietnam. Not every country offers up Cooking Classes like they do in Vietnam. Cooking classes in Vietnam have a wide range of offerings including seafood, vegan and vegetarian, and will take you on...

Are you heading to Danang and looking for an activity that takes you outdoors exploring nature? Do you like fresh air and lush rainforests full of endangered species like the  Red-shanked douc langurs? They are those cute monkeys with red bib necks and cute faces. Then the Son Tra Nature Reserve won't disappoint you! 10 Mins from Danang centre.   Oh, btw, those monkeys have a very mischievous...

If you love competitive running and enjoy the spirit of a trail series, then this episode will cover what you need to know and much more. However, if you see this title and immediately think this is NOT for you. You may do a 360.  Like I did. I am assured you don’t have to be a super athlete to have fun and enjoy the spectacular scenery you will experience by joining any one of the Topas Trail Ser...