Vietnam Articles
After living in Vietnam for 2 years, I’ve experienced it’s long beaches, it’s fresh mountain-tops, and the unforgettable vibe that resonates through you as you traverse the country’s markets and other public spaces. These articles cover my experiences while living and traveling Vietnam. Some of them were written to be funny. Some of them are more informative. Some – I probably just wrote because I was interested in the topic and I was going to do the research anyways.
If you are planning at trip to Vietnam, this website has a ton of information. Be sure to check out my Vietnam Budget Travel Guide – $20/day, and if you are interested in the incredible food – I have a guide that took me 2 years to put together. It has over 75 dishes in it with original photos, information, and a food-dictionary that will help you decipher Vietnamese menus. Food-Lover’s Guide to Vietnamese Food.
Binh Duong New City – Vietnam’s Shiny New City
Exploring Vietnam: Binh Duong New City
In 2005, construction began on what will eventually be the administrative capital of Binh Duong. I’ve watched, over the past 2 years, as new restaurants, hotels, and apartment buildings have popped up. The heart of the city is the huge administrative building along with the convention center next to it. These new and modern buildings are an unusual sight in Vietnam.
More
An Analysis of Coffee in Vietnam: Beans, Brews, and Roasts
Everything About Coffee in Vietnam
Coffee isn’t just a drink. People rearrange their lives to get that morning cup of wake-up juice. One time, I killed a lady who was slow at ordering in my local cafe. Or maybe that was a pre-coffee day dream.
At any rate, when I moved to Vietnam I was very excited about getting my taste-buds on some traditional Vietnamese coffee. Coffee in Vietnam is so chocolatey and rich. An iced coffee with milk, or ca phe sua da, is a dessert that you drink even before breakfast. Instead of milk, sweetened condensed milk is used. It’s amazing.
More
Conquering the Roads of Vietnam: How to Drive in Vietnam
Sign up for my newsletter to receive 1 email a week with our latest posts.
How to Drive in Vietnam: Tips on Driving a Motorbike
One of my favorite things about living in Vietnam is the madness that runs wild in the streets. I’m talking about scooters, motorbikes, motorcycles, and electric bikes. I love to be able to jump on my motorbike and zoom to the market. It’s easy, quick, and great on petrol. Oh yeah, and it’s a ton of fun.
More
10 Delicious Soups in Vietnam that aren’t Pho
Pho-get About It
Everyone knows about the Vietnamese beef noodle soup phở. Vietnamese restaurants around the world have it on their menu. Pho is good. Sometimes it’s great. But there are plenty of other delicious bowls of broth in Vietnam. A lot of them won’t show up on a Vietnamese menu overseas. I suspect some may not even be considered edible to someone that hasn’t grown up with the particular flavors, and isn’t open-minded enough to really give it a chance, but I insist you try these if you get the opportunity. You might find a new favorite Vietnamese soup. I know I have.
More
How Cheap is it to Live in Vietnam?
Live it up in Vietnam for $4000 per year
Be prepared to take on any Vietnamese menu with my Vietnamese food guide
With over 75 dishes!
It’s not hard to save money in Vietnam. If you’re an ESL teacher you’re likely to make around $15-20 per hour. You can easily save half of that if you take advantage of Vietnam’s low cost of living. I’ve lived in the country for almost 2 years now. After settling in, I discovered just how little I needed to live an amazing life in Vietnam. So how cheap is it to live in Vietnam? With a bit of initial work and spending, it’s possible to live off of $4000 per year — and the best part is, you can avoid cooking and cleaning, and basically live the life of Riley.
More
Bookmark These 20 Websites for Traveling Vietnam
More
Dai Nam Park: The Buddhist Disney World in Vietnam
Dai Nam Park, or Dai Nam Tourism Complex, is a huge 22 hectare amusement park that includes a cultural/historical area, a zoo, a water park, and amusement rides. There’s a hotel there (400,000VND per night), camping (about 230,000/night including tent and mattress rental), and many restaurants. Like I said, it’s huge.
More
Ea H’leo, Dak Lak: Truly off the beaten path Vietnam

When Sara and I were asked by a Vietnamese friend to join her on a trip to her hometown, we hesitated at first. Truthfully, the 7 hour ride on a night-bus scared us more than a bit, but after a brief consultation we were 100% on-board. This would be a true off the beaten path Vietnam experience. Next stop: Ea H’leo, Dak Lak.
More
You’re More Likely to Shit Your Pants in Vietnam… and other Not-So-Nice Things You Should Know Before Living in Vietnam
There are many reasons I love living in Vietnam. As we come close to the end of our first year in the country, I can’t help but think of something I was told by a man who has spent almost ten years living here.
More
Beer, Coffee, Food: The Best of Ho Chi Minh City
Sometimes, an expat has to go back to his roots. Back to the things he left behind in his first world country. I always try to embrace the Vietnamese culture, but I needed a little taste of home. Plus, it was my birthday, so why not celebrate it with a few of my favourite things? Beer, coffee, and food. It’s time to find the best of these in Saigon.
More
A Guide to Thu Dau Mot and Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
More