Near city Da Nang in central Vietnam, lies a complex of temples constructed over 1000 years ago by the then reigning Champa kingdom. Tragically, most of the demolition to the mostly ruinous buildings happened during a single week in the Vietnamese war thanks to aerial bombings, according to the Global Heritage Fund. Also restauration or…

Vietnam’s Northwest features not only mountainous terrain, the country’s tallest mountain, but also is home to several ethnic groups, one of which is the Hmong people. Only 5 km away from these views is a sprawling city full of hotels, restaurants, and clubs to entertain the tourists. It feels strange to walk as part of…

What to visit if you essentially have one day? Ho Chi Minh’s Mausuleum, conveniently placed across a lavish plaza across the National Assembly building, marks a good place to start. The nearby One Pillar pagoda marks the beginning of a small walk to the Temple of Literature with its near 1000 year history, multiple courts,…

A first look: Buzzing with activity in the streets, a thick but respectful traffic madness; stores and businesses packed wall to wall, pushing cheap housing into backyard buildings only connected via a single narrow corridor. Atop all that is a never-ending skyline of residential and office towers, made visible thanks to a fierce competition for…