At the very top of Nguyen Hue walking street is the Saigon People’s Committee building. Often referred to as City Hall it is a lovely bit of architecture. It is located at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Built between 1902 and 1908 during the French colonial period, this cream-colored building was originally called the Hotel de Ville (City Hall of…
Da Dia is a basalt rock formation much like the famous one in Ireland. It is located south of Quy Nhon.
Ba Be lake is the largest natural lake in Vietnam. It is a great halfway point between Hanoi and Ha Giang. Or a southern route between Ha Giang and Cao Bang. The most popular area to stay in is Pac Ngoi village. There are lots of nice homestays in this village but there are better views from the hotels that are on the access road…
Ben Thanh Market stands as one of Ho Chi Minh City‘s most iconic landmarks, located at Le Loi Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Operating from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM daily, with the night market running from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM, this historic marketplace has been a commercial hub since the early 17th century. It is also the largest tourist market…
When traveling between the Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang most people spend a night in Bao Lac. Between Bao Lac and Cao Bang, the most direct route is the scenic QL34. The better option is the spectacular Me Pia Pass along the border with China. This route also brings you close to Pac Bo cave where Ho Chi Minh lived after his return from…
Between Mui Ne and Hue are not only some of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, you also have the remains of the Champa Kingdom. The Cham people ruled over this 1000 KM stretch from the 1st to the 15th centuries.
Just a few hours from Cao Bang along a magical road is Ban Gioc. The waterfalls are the border with 1/2 in China and 1/2 in Vietnam. Ban Gioc is the forth largest waterfall in the world along a national border. Located in the Trung Khan district of Cao Bang it a fascinating area with lovely valleys and kart mountains looking like huge drops of…
Between Meo Vac and Bao Lac there is a river crossing through a gorgeous valley on a bamboo ferry. By taking the northern route from Cao Bang to Ha Giang you will pass by this area. The steep approach and exit require dry weather or strong off-road skills.
I was fortunate to be able to explore the Meo Vac skywalk at dawn just after Covid reopening — an ethereal experience. The skywalk is a narrow trail that is mostly paved and serves as a way for people to move among the villages and homesteads in this mountainous area. They generally no longer allow tourists to ride on the Skywalk and it has been…
Video — A derelict French fort from their occupation in the late 19th century.