11 min read
How to Choose a Trek in Northern Vietnam: Routes, Guides and Grades
Not all northern Vietnam treks are the same. How to match region, grade, season and guide to what you actually want from your days on the trail in the north.
On the Ground Vietnam
Insights, updates and local perspectives to better understand Vietnam as it evolves.
All articles
10 min read
Phu Quoc Before APEC: What a Building Boom Means for Slow Travelers
Twenty-one APEC projects, a light rail line and an airport expansion are remaking Vietnam's largest island. What that means for travelers on the ground now.
11 min read
Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay: The Quieter Half of a World Heritage Seascape
The largest island in the Ha Long archipelago has a national park, a working port town and a quieter bay of its own. How to travel Cat Ba slowly and well.
9 min read
Vietnam's Tourist VAT Refund in 2026: How It Actually Works
Vietnam refunds part of the VAT on goods you carry home. Here is the 2026 threshold, the paperwork, the airports that pay, and whether it is worth it.
10 min read
What to Pack for Vietnam: A Slow Traveller's Layered Kit
Vietnam spans three climates and 1,600 kilometres. Here is how to pack one bag that works from a Sa Pa winter to a Mekong downpour, without overpacking.
9 min read
Vietnam's Night-Economy Push: What Changes After Dark
Hanoi has approved a plan to move a quarter of tourist spending into the evening. Here is what the night-economy push really changes for travellers today.
12 min read
An Giang: Vietnam's Mekong Borderlands at Delta Pace
An Giang is where Vietnam runs out and Cambodia begins: flooded forest, Khmer uplands, Cham weaving villages and a border town that rewards staying put.
8 min read
Vietnam's High-Speed Rail Dream: What the North-South Line Means for Slow Travel
Vietnam has approved a 1,541 km bullet train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, breaking ground in 2026. What the mega-project means for slow travel.
8 min read
Hanoi's 2026 Petrol Motorbike Ban: What Travellers Need to Know
From July 2026 Hanoi restricts petrol motorbikes in its centre, starting in the Old Quarter. What the phased ban means for visitors.
9 min read
How to Plan a Slow Vietnam Itinerary: Two to Four Weeks Done Well
Vietnam is long and it is tempting to rush. Here is how to plan a slow two-, three- or four-week itinerary that goes deep instead of wide.
8 min read
Kon Tum: The Gentle End of Vietnam's Central Highlands
Kon Tum is the quietest corner of Vietnam's Central Highlands: a wooden cathedral, Bahnar villages along the Dak Bla, and highland roads few travellers take.
9 min read
Vietnam's Cashless Shift in 2026: How QR Payments Work for Foreign Travellers
Vietnam has gone cashless fast. How QR payments actually work for foreign visitors in 2026, and what still needs cash.
Ready to travel? Get free quotes from up to 5 Vietnam agencies
Request free quotes