Northern Vietnam– tax –

A thorough comparison of the ideal number of days for a Hanoi stay, by purpose. It introduces recommended durations and model plans for each travel style — city-sightseeing-focused, food-focused, or combined with suburban tours like Ha Long Bay. A practical guide covering ways to get around comfortably even on a first Hanoi trip, and cautions for short and medium stays alike.

An explanation of the best season for a Hanoi trip based on month-by-month climate data. It lays out the features of the dry and rainy seasons, and differences in temperature and humidity, and introduces the optimal time to comfortably enjoy sightseeing, city strolls, and food. A practical guide covering clothing guidelines, seasons to avoid, and how beginners can choose a travel time without failing.

15 souvenirs you can buy in Hanoi. We share a curated selection of recommendations a Japanese resident of Hanoi actually bought.

A guide to 10 cities we recommend for your first trip to Vietnam. From classic destinations like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, we cover safety, ease of getting around, and the character of the sightseeing and food, all from a beginner's point of view. A complete guide that also lays out suggested lengths of stay and which cities suit which kind of traveler.

Sapa is a mountain resort in Lao Cai Province in northwestern Vietnam, at an elevation of about 1,600 m. Starting from a town opened as a summer retreat in the French colonial era, it spreads out with Hmong and Dao villages, terraced rice paddies stepping down the slopes, and Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak. It's a "mountain trip" where trekking through the valleys, rather than walking the town, takes the lead...

Ninh Binh, south of Hanoi, is the "Ha Long Bay on land," where jagged limestone peaks rise from rice paddies and rivers. Rowboat rides through caves at Tam Coc and the Trang An river cruise take the lead, and it can be visited even as a day trip from Hanoi. The ancient capital Hoa Lu and the giant Bai Dinh temple are also nearby. This page covers everything from the town's overall picture...

Hai Phong is the largest port city in the north, located east of Hanoi. Its appeal lies in the French-colonial-era streetscape and a lively food culture, and it's known as the birthplace of the specialty banh da cua (crab-filled soup noodles). It's also the gateway to Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island. This page covers everything from the town's overall picture to how to get around...

A thorough breakdown of Vietnam's national café "Highlands Coffee"! It comprehensively covers everything from why it's popular — dubbed "Vietnam's Starbucks" — to must-try recommended drinks (condensed-milk coffee, freeze), superb banh mi, and how to order. A latest guide that helps on the ground.

Rei Kojima's coffee business begins in Dak Nong in Vietnam's central highlands. Centered on Robusta, we introduce a new Vietnamese coffee venture that conveys everything from origin and farm to processing background.

Why is Starbucks struggling in Vietnam, a coffee powerhouse? We explain the reasons through Vietnam's distinctive coffee culture and market structure, including a Robusta-centered palate, price gaps, and the strength of local chains.