blog

A practical guide to choosing a Hanoi coffee workshop, from learning the phin filter to making egg, salt and coconut coffee in a small group.

On Hàng Quạt Street, a small block of wood becomes a personal piece of Hanoi, carved by hand and made to travel home with you.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam? Compare weather by month across Hanoi, Hoi An and southern Vietnam, with cautious local planning tips and regional guides.

Where Vietnamese cacao comes from, how it differs from better-known origins, and why most visitors have never tasted it.

A practical guide to brewing coffee with a Vietnamese phin filter, including the mistakes that most often go wrong.

What Vietnamese salt coffee actually tastes like, how it's made, and why it splits opinion even among coffee lovers.

How Vietnamese coffee culture actually works, from the phin filter to the drinks that make Hanoi's coffee scene distinct.

The first day in Hanoi comes with a lot of small questions. Here's why doing a food tour early can answer most of them before you're on your own.

What sets Hanoi-style nom apart from Southeast Asia's more famous papaya salads, and why it's easy to underestimate.

A local guide to dinner in Hanoi Old Quarter: what changes after sunset, what to eat, when to go, where families fit in and what stays open later.

Why bun dau mam tom, fermented shrimp paste and fried tofu, is one of Hanoi's most argued-about dishes, and how to actually eat it.

Why xoi, not pho, is what most people in Hanoi actually eat for breakfast, and what to order.

How Hanoi-style banh mi differs from what's sold abroad, and what to actually order from a street cart.

What cha ca is, where the dish comes from, and what to expect from a proper sit-down cha ca meal in Hanoi.

What banh cuon actually is, how it's made fresh to order, and what to expect the first time you try it in Hanoi.

Scooters, crowds, and noise can make Hanoi feel overwhelming for kids at first. Here's why that's rarely a problem, and what actually helps.

Entry rules for Vietnam have changed a few times over the past year, so here is a plain breakdown of Vietnam visa 2026 rules for travelers from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, and Canada. Most nationalities need a Vietnam e-visa, valid for up to 90 days. UK passport holders currently get 45 days visa free through March 2028. Travelers from the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada need to apply for an e-visa in advance. Vietnam Visa & Entry Rules for 2026: Do You Nee

Most guests who come through Hanoi never run into any trouble. But a few common Hanoi tourist scams catch first-time visitors off guard, and knowing about them ahead of time makes the whole trip easier. Hanoi is generally safe for tourists. The handful of scams worth knowing about involve taxi meters, unpriced street food, and currency exchange, and all of them are easy to avoid by confirming a price before you buy. Is Hanoi Safe for Tourists? Yes. Violent crime against touri

Hanoi in March 2027: warmer days, spring flowers and practical local tips for enjoying the city as the season changes.

Step off Hanoi's main streets and into its ngõ - the narrow alleys where daily life happens. Here's what you'll find, and how to explore them respectfully.