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Vietnam

Temple of Literature in Hanoi – Where You Pray for Good Grades

At the Temple of Literature in Hanoi (Vietnam), you can pray for good school grades. After all, this temple honors the greatest Vietnamese scholars of ancient times. Obviously, many students would visit the temple during examination days, praying they’d get the exam results they’re hoping for. Perhaps, the most-visited temple

Ba Vi National Park – A Day Trip from Hanoi

Ba Vi National Park is a protected park just outside Hanoi. In what supposed to be an hour drive, it took us almost two and a half hours because of the unpredictable weather. It was a fight between the sun, clouds, and fog. On our way up to the mountain,

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi is no different from Chairman Mao’s at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Both bodies of these political leaders are enshrined in a building for everyone to see. Ok, not everyone – only for those who are willing to queue

The Imperial Citadel of Than Long in Hanoi

The Imperial Citadel of Than Long in Hanoi is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its cultural, political, and architectural significance. Unlike other UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve been to, the citadel was kind of a disappointment to me. I thought I was gonna see much more than just

Hoi An at Night is a Scene in a Period Movie

Hoi An at night is just like a scene in a period movie. It’s a feast of colours shimmering in all directions. The lanterns hanging on many household doors are a sight to behold. The floating candle offerings on the river are mesmerizing. If you are traveling with the love

20 Things to do and see in Hanoi

Here are 20 things to do and see in Hanoi (Vietnam). If you are into Vietnamese food, this list won’t help you much. I’m not including the names of restaurants because when you are in Hanoi, you can eat everywhere, especially in the Old Quarter. The locals love their food

Exploring the Caves at the Marble Mountains in Da Nang

Exploring the caves at the Marble Mountains in Da Nang can be really confusing. There are just so many of them and you don’t even know where to start – even if you follow the map. Going to one direction would mean either you will miss a cave or you

This Dragon Bridge in Danang Breathes Fire and Water

This Dragon Bridge in Danang breathes fire and water – in the evening. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it in action. I walked the bridge a couple of times in my two-week stay there but I didn’t know about the evening show – until my last night there. Yep, I missed

Hanoi Skyline from Lotte Tower

Hanoi skyline from Lotte Tower was not I expected. From up there, the city seems so calm and organized. There are no traces of the chaotic life on the streets of Hanoi. If there’s one thing that’s consistent with the city’s skyline, it’s the pollution. A friend of mine said

Visiting Old Town Hoi An – Was it Really Worth the Hype?

Visiting Old Town Hoi An in Vietnam was a disappointing experience for me. And I’d say this early in this post – it’s not worth the hype. My Lonely Planet Guidebook placed this ancient town on the top of the list of places to visit in Vietnam. Pardon me if
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