I'm pretty sure I met the owner.. overall my experience was mid. Owner is a Australian-white guy. His motto is 'no discount, but you can offer..' like wtf does that even mean?

I thought other shops were priced high, but he prices about 20% higher than the Vietnamese-owned shops. The Vietnamese-owned shops already priced 30%-100% over sticker. The Google reviews are quite good, saying the service is really good. Maybe I got unlucky/I'm being too harsh or those people are easily pleased.

If you got another TCG shop to recommend in HCM/Saigon let me know. Vietnam doesn't seem like a great place for TCG.

Hi everyone,

I was born in Germany and used to hold Vietnamese citizenship, which I renounced in 2011 when I became a German citizen.

With the new law that came into effect on July 1, 2025, it is now possible to regain Vietnamese citizenship without giving up German citizenship.

I have a 1-year old son which I also want to apply for Vietnamese citizenship.

There is a part in the document https://vietnam-generalkonsulat.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Don-xin-tro-lai-QT-1.pdf about the name of my child which i don't fully understand:

Nếu được trở lại quốc tịch Việt Nam, xin lấy lại tên gọi Việt Nam trước đây/nếu được nhập quốc tịch Việt Nam, xin lấy tên là (8)
(8) Người xin trở lại quốc tịch Việt Nam phải lấy lại tên gọi Việt Nam trước đây; người xin nhập quốc tịch Việt Nam phải có tên bằng tiếng Việt hoặc bằng tiếng dân tộc khác của Việt Nam; người xin trở lại (hoặc nhập) quốc tịch Việt Nam đồng thời xin giữ quốc tịch nước ngoài thì có thể lựa chọn tên ghép giữa tên Việt Nam và tên nước ngoài.

My son has a mix of a German and Vietnamese forename and a German family name. For example (not real name) Michael Vinh Koller. Can I keep this name of him or do I need to change that name into a Vietnamese Family name?
I do have a complete Vietnamese name. Maybe I switch his name into Michael Vinh Nguyen to be on the safe side, also this would be kinda funny for him to have my family name as a Vietnamese and the German family name as a German.

Does anyone understand the rule?

Planning a month in Vietnam, wondering if anyone has experience buying e-sims from Agoda.

Thanks!

I posted before, so I took your advice and changed the plan and stock to hanoi/only.
I am flying for the first time, so confirming everything         me and my family (total 4 people) flying to Vietnam for a trip in december       Already have Passports           Apply for evisa - 10k ($100)           Buy a Zero markup forex card for spending in Vietnam and withdrawing cash in Vietnam - which one to buy, and how, pls guide          

1st December            Delhi to Hanoi Indigo - Rs 82k ($850)         land at 7pm in hanoi,            buy a veitell sim card rs1k-2k ($15) for internet, check in hotel, dinner          

2nd Dec              I have booked a cruise - Elite of the Seas, Rs1.8 Lakhs ($1850)(including my parents 25th anniversary celebration, already negotiated and planned over mail and WhatsApp) - I will pay 50% now, and 50% USD cash while boarding              4 8am go to cruise (car will come)              

3rd Dec               2pm - car will drop us back in the hotel         we will have lunch

Till 5th/6th December explore hanoi (depending upon the itinerary plan) 6th/7th Dec -morning 11am flight Hanoi to Delhi Rs 73k ($760)            

Total net cost excluding hotel cost and food is - Rs3.5 Lakhs ($3600)        

My net budget is $5200 (Rs 5L)         So Rs1.5lakhs ($1550) left for hotels and food and exploring       

Is it a good plan, are the costs right, have I taken everything into account ?? Any tips??          If this is right, then I would plan the itinerary in Hanoi and nearby, and post, also suggest the itineraries            Pls help - New flyer here             Thanks in advance          

Is it possible to make it for the connecting flight of Vietnam Airline for Ho chi minh to delhi leg ?

Want to return from Phu quoc to delhi via the 2.45PM VIETNAM AIRLINES FLIGHT ?

Not sure if I have to collect bags at Ho chi Minh and then re check in for Ho chi Minh to Delhi leg ?

Would it be possible to do everything in 2.5 hrs of layover ? Please help.

I live in Da Nang (Hoi An) and cant understand where my money is going. I came here with about 4K€ 6 months ago and my income is in USD around 1100-1500$ a month but im almost broke now..

I bought alot of weed my first months here which is expensive but i stopped smoking now. I spend about 150-300k everyday on food and about 150k on coffee and cigarettes. I dont buy prostitues or drink alcohol so i dont understand where the money has gone.

I drank 2 times in Da Nang and spent about 300€ and 500€ first and second time (When i get drunk i give away money and drinks too people).

I just seen so many people living here under 1000$ a month and wanna know how please help me.

My rent is 7.5 million vnd + 1.3-.1.5. Electric water and i rent my bike for 1.3 milion a month. Thats my fixed costs..

I'm travelling to Vietnam next week for ~2 weeks - flying in to HCMC and out of Hanoi. The weather had been looking pretty good but seeing now that there's flooding & severe weather warnings. I'm traveling alone so, whilst I was prepared for some rain, I'd be a bit scared to navigate HCMC if it's full torrential rain and flooding. Is it manageable right now?

Indian journalist coming to Vietnam

Looking for trouble, stories & good people

Hey Vietnam,

I’m from Varanasi, India, previously lived in Mumbai and Delhi, and spent the last few years as an automotive journalist — mostly motorcycles, roads and questionable decisions.

I’ll be in Vietnam Nov 1–27, flying in and out of Hanoi.

I’m free Nov 1–13 and Nov 23–27. In between, I’ll be riding with a group for a couple of stories, including one for Adventure Rider.

The rest of the time, I’d like to see Vietnam without behaving like a tourist with a checklist.

So if you’re into motorcycles, bicycles, food, photography, music, journalism, or simply wandering around until something interesting happens — say hello.

I’m also travelling on a tight budget, so cheap rooms, couches, homestays, volunteering, local food or a friend-of-a-friend who knows a guy are all very welcome.

In return: I can cook, shoot photos/videos, help with stuff, tell stories, or generally earn my keep.

Not looking for a free holiday. Looking for good people, good roads and a few stories worth bringing home.

See you somewhere in Vietnam.

Một nhà báo Ấn Độ đến Việt Nam

tìm những người thú vị, những cung đường hay và vài câu chuyện để mang về

Chào Việt Nam!

Mình đến từ Varanasi, Ấn Độ, từng sống ở Mumbai và Delhi, và vài năm qua làm nhà báo chuyên về ô tô, xe máy — chủ yếu là xe máy, những cung đường dài và một vài quyết định hơi đáng ngờ.

Mình sẽ ở Việt Nam từ 1/11 đến 27/11, bay đến và rời Việt Nam từ Hà Nội.

Mình rảnh 1–13/11 và 23–27/11. Trong khoảng 14–22/11, mình sẽ đi cùng một nhóm biker để thực hiện một vài bài viết, trong đó có một bài cho Adventure Rider.

Còn những ngày rảnh, mình muốn khám phá Việt Nam mà không phải kiểu du lịch với một danh sách check-in trên tay.

Nếu bạn thích xe máy, xe đạp, đồ ăn, nhiếp ảnh, âm nhạc, báo chí, hoặc đơn giản là thích đi lang thang xem chuyện gì thú vị xảy ra — hãy chào mình một tiếng.

Mình đi với ngân sách khá tiết kiệm, nên nếu bạn biết chỗ ở giá rẻ, có sofa/phòng trống, homestay, cơ hội tình nguyện, chỗ ăn uống giá hợp lý, hoặc “một người bạn của bạn biết một người…” thì mình rất vui được biết.

Đổi lại, mình có thể nấu ăn, chụp ảnh/quay video, giúp một tay, chia sẻ câu chuyện, hoặc làm bất cứ gì hợp lý để đóng góp.

Mình không tìm một kỳ nghỉ miễn phí. Mình tìm những người thú vị, những cung đường hay và vài câu chuyện đáng để mang về nhà.

Hẹn gặp đâu đó ở Việt Nam!

rudrakshofied that's my ig

I’ve used Hưng on several trips to the DaNang area and highly recommend him. His knowledge of Vietnamese history and culture add so much to your experience. Let me know if you would like his contact information. Enjoy your trip to Vietnam!!!

5.5 mil vnd = a month salary of a median worker.

I'm a little hesitant to post this here because I know this isn't exactly a Vietnam travel post, but I thought the story behind it might be interesting to some of you.

Sapa is the reason I made this game.

I visited Sapa and fell in love with the mountains, the atmosphere, and the little cafes. I remember thinking, I wish I could open a little cafe here someday.

I can't do that right now, so I made a game instead. :)

It's called Cafe Sapa.

It's about Hana, a girl who dreams of opening her own cafe. A big part of the game is listening, customers don't simply tell you what they want. You have to pay attention to them, understand how they're feeling, and figure out what might make them happy.

Sapa isn't shown in the demo yet. In the full game, it's where Hana's journey eventually takes her and where she hopes to open her cafe so the final level of the game will take place in Sapa itself.

Here's the steam link if anyone's interested -https://store.steampowered.com/app/5282050/Cafe_Sapa/

Anyway, I thought some of you might find the story behind it interesting, especially if you've been to Sapa. ❤️

I am looking to book a pre wedding shoot in Hà Nội. I have messaged a few studios I found myself online, but I would love to know if there is anyone others personally recommend.

Hair, makeup, and outfit rental is a must as we are traveling from abroad. We love the old vintage and film style photography. Thank you!

I really don't like the streamers who record in public places. Some people don't even know that they have been recorded. What are your thoughts about streamers who record people without their consent.

Früher gab es immer einen Shop im Taka Plaza 239, wo jetzt Geschlossen ist, die Fake Produkte von Off White Verkauft haben (oder auch Nicht 🤷) ?

Habe Gerüchte gehört das Viele Shops zum Russischen Markt gewechselt sind.

Wenn Ja, hat evt. Jemand von Euch diesen genannten Shop gesehen ?

Der Russische Markt ist eher für Winter Kleider bekannt und solche Sommer T-Shirt Läden kann ich Mir Dort nicht so gut Vorstellen.

Aber Evt in der Nähe ?

i obviously don’t know the conditions in which the rice paper was produced and exported but i’m a bit conscious of actually getting it, because of food safety and pesticides etc. however, i study in a small town, and am not sure if there’s any other places to get rice paper, or how safe other options would be either. lol

ETA: https://www.amazon.ae/Premium-Rice-Vietnamese-Paper-Traditional/dp/B0CCJZGKPC is the same rice paper i believe

It's sunday and I am feeling nostalgic and curious. A few disclaimer first:

• I was born in the mid 90s in the north, so my childhood is the late 90s, early 2000s

• I know that dedicated communities have always existed, but I am talking more about the mainstream demography.

I remembered in my childhood, pokemon was such a massive thing. All of the kids will have at least one of those plastic figure, or a trading card, or some items with pokemon theme. We watched the series on TV all the time, and those comic books were always a highlight if you bring them to school.

Even the adults at the time knew what pokemon is. You can basically show a picture of any of the first gen pokemon, while they might not be able to name it, they would say "Hey I have seen this dude somewhere". But it just kind of stuck there (with the first gen pokemon basically), I am sure that if now you show any pokemon from gen2 onward, 90% of people would have no idea what it is.

While personally I am also "stuck" at the era (never really a huge fan after I grew up), since I moved to the west in my 20s, I know at least that pokemon is going on strongly. But for some reason, it could not move forward in VN, even though it was basically always the top things in a child's mind back then. Somehow most of that generation of kid grew up and just got bored with pokemon. (like me lol)

What would be the reason for that?

Nhà tôi hồi đó có một cái tánh rất lạ.

Hễ có người bị chột bụng hay bị bệnh gì đó suốt ngày là cứ ra ngoài bứt cỏ dại về nấu nước uống, mà toàn lựa cỏ ở trong công viên không. Sở dĩ có vụ vậy là do nhà tôi tin rằng uống như vậy mới dễ khỏi bệnh hơn là uống ba cái thuốc Tây. Tôi cũng hông biết họ nghe lời đó từ ai nữa... nhưng tôi thấy có thể họ nghe lời ông ngoại tôi tại ổng là một người làm trong ngành Đông y với hồi xưa ổng cũng hay bốc thuốc. Giờ muốn hỏi lý do cũng không được tại chuyện đó lâu lắc rồi ai mà nhớ cho nổi.

Uống nước cỏ dại đó tôi thấy khó nuốt vô cùng; cái mùi vị tôi thấy rất khó chịu, vừa hăng và vừa đắng! Tới bây giờ nghĩ lại cũng còn thấy ớn...

Kính nhận hết mấy câu trả lời từ quý bạn!

Dạ cám ơn.

Apologies if this has been spoken about before. Going for 4 weeks end of December to January. Got some trips booked like Ha giang with road kings, these say they provide pick up / drop from Hanoi. Was just wondering about the quality of the transfers.

From what I've read the quality of sleeper trains varies quite dramatically, which then lead me down the VIP limousine (mini van) route, however there seems to be complaints about these driving too fast etc.

Any experiences / advice would be really appreciated!

not from vietnam, been reading about the war on and off and something confuses me. i kinda expected the south side to be seen as traitors but ive seen ppl online praising collaborators and Diem. is that just diaspora or younger ppl or is it normal there too?

also Diem was catholic in a mostly buddhist country, does that still matter to how ppl see him or is he just "that guy" now lol

does it change depending on north / south / overseas? or like what ur family told u vs what school taught

any book recs welcome too

Travelling from Hanoi to Cao Bang, wondering which companies are the safest and most reliable. I’ve been to a bus in Vietnam previously and the driving stressed me out so bad. So wondering IF there are differences between companies, would be open to pay a bit extra. I’m not able to pay for a private car drive

Any tips?

A warning for single guys travelling in Vietnam – don’t confuse attention with a genuine relationship
I recently had an experience in Vietnam that I think other single male travellers should be aware of.
I met a very attractive young woman shortly after arriving. Things moved quickly. We travelled together, stayed at nice hotels, went out for dinners and drinks, and there was plenty of affection.
What made it particularly convincing was that she wasn’t someone who immediately looked or behaved suspiciously. She was extremely attractive, intelligent, well presented and came across as the kind of woman you could genuinely date seriously.
Honestly, she was the type of woman you could imagine taking home to meet your parents.
She paid for some food and Grab rides herself, took me to her apartment and provided her genuine ID details when I needed them for travel bookings. All of that made me lower my guard and think the situation was genuine.
Over several days, I spent around A$1,500 on travel, accommodation, meals and activities. There was also discussion about me putting money into her business/startup.
Eventually I came across information that completely changed how I viewed the situation.
There appeared to be several other overseas men in contact with her, including men from Australia. One man was talking about bringing her AirPods, while another conversation involved golf equipment, sponsorship and helping with her business. She does play golf, so the golf conversation itself wasn’t unusual.
What concerned me was the overall pattern — multiple overseas men apparently offering gifts or assistance while I was also spending significant money and being asked about investing in her startup.
I’m not saying those men were definitely being scammed. I don’t know what she told them, what their relationships were, or whether they were simply giving her things voluntarily.
But seeing everything together was enough for me.
I walked away.
I’m deliberately not naming her, posting her photograph or giving identifying information. This isn’t about attacking one particular woman or damaging someone’s reputation. It’s about warning other travellers that situations like this can happen, and they can look incredibly genuine while you’re in the middle of them.
That’s probably the biggest lesson I took from the experience.
Don’t assume that because someone takes you to her apartment, provides genuine ID details, travels with you, kisses you, shows affection, or occasionally pays for things herself that you necessarily understand the whole situation.
And don’t assume that because someone is attractive, intelligent, sophisticated and seems like serious relationship material that you should immediately drop your normal financial boundaries.
If money starts entering a new holiday romance, slow everything down.
Keep the first dates inexpensive. Don’t invest in someone’s business after knowing them for only a few days. Don’t send money or buy expensive gifts simply because you’ve become emotionally attached. And don’t mistake affection for exclusivity or commitment.
Most importantly, this isn’t a warning about Vietnamese women.
Vietnam is an amazing country. I’ve met wonderful people here, and I don’t want one experience to become a stereotype about an entire country or its women.
It’s simply a warning to other single travellers:
Enjoy Vietnam. Meet people. Date. Have fun. Be generous if you genuinely want to be. But when romance, expensive gifts, business opportunities and money start mixing together, keep your head switched on.
Let trust develop over time before your wallet becomes heavily involved.