In Hanoi arise more and more modern shopping centers and supermarkets. But there are still some places where you can experience the old original Hanoi. The Chợ Hôm market at the intersection of Phố Tran Xuan Soan and Phố Hue in the district of Hai Ba Trung belongs to these...
Vietnam’s claim to the Paracel and Spratly Islands is based mainly on old documents and maps that shall prove the island groups belong to the Vietnamese territory for several hundred years now. In no particular order I would like to introduce some of these documents. Khải Đồng Thuyết Ước is...
After Valentin raved so much about Mui Ne, I’ve decided to go there as well and attend a crash course in kite surfing. In 4.5 hours I learned at KBA (Kiteboarding Asia) some theory first (keyword: “Wind-Window”) and how to set up a kite. After I was allowed to steer...
An absolute must for any visitor in Saigon are the Cu Chi Tunnels. Every day, mostly Western visitors are lead through the former tunnel system of Viet Cong. Once there, we firstly received some propaganda from a Viet Cong veteran. He proudly told about the indomitable Viet Cong, how they...
At least since “Tomorrow Never Dies”, where James Bond has declared war on bad guys in the Ha Long Bay, the UNESCO world cultural heritage is a real tourist magnet. And I have to say: Rightly so! Before we were allowed to board our junk, it has long been reviewed...
May in Cat Cat On my third day in Sapa a Red Dzao picked me up. Her name was May, she was 19 years old, already married and pregnant in the second month. Until shortly before the birth she wanted to lead tourists through the villages around Sapa. Red Dzaos...
I booked the next tour at my hotel. 12 USD for a full day hike, including entrance fees to the villages, lunch and a minibus that brings me back to the hotel at the end of the day. I was the only one who had booked the tour on that...
I took the night bus from Hanoi to Sapa, together with some 30 Vietnamese, 12 hours. Left and right of the corridor stood each two daybeds that somewhat reminded me of dental chairs. After all “beds” were reserved, the remaining passengers took a seat on a small mattress on the...
I have deliberately waited a while, before I wrote this blog entry. If I had written it a few days after my arrival, I would have headlined: “They eat dogs in Vietnam.” Yes, not only in China but also in Vietnam dog is considered a delicacy. Similarly, Vietnamese like to...
In the picturesque craft city Hoi An you can delight in a sea of colorful lanterns. The relics from the era of Chinese rule are hanging everywhere: On trees, on the bridge over the Thu Bon River, in front of shops, in the streets. Hoi An shines in a colorful...