It’s not Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood, but the author reflects on the personality of his home turf in Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Binh district.
Author Archives: John Gottberg Anderson
85. The Elephants Are Fighting Back
Even in the same rural precincts where a park promotes elephant conservation, local “sanctuaries” are encouraging visitors to go for rides.
84. Notes on 10 Days in Thailand
On a brief trip to Bangkok and Pattaya, the author is reminded of many things he loves about Vietnam’s Southeast Asian neighbor.
83. Cát Bà Island Escapades
Cát Bà may be the best destination in northern Vietnam for exploring the unique seascapes of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-acclaimed world heritage site.
82. Discovering Vietnam’s Art
Through periods of freedom and suppression, Vietnamese art continues to make an impression as it reveals culture and history to a curious world.
81. A Spirited Stroll in Central Hanoi
Vietnam’s capital city serves up history and religion on a walk past West Lake to the Ba Dinh district.
80. One, Two, Three: Museums of Hanoi
Three institutions in the nation’s capital offer carefully sculpted perspectives on the history of Vietnam.
79. Lake of the Restored Sword
The heart and soul of Hanoi city is Hoàn Kiếm, the “Lake of the Restored Sword.” Stories of its divine nature go back many centuries.
78. Exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Vietnam’s earliest urban neighborhood reveals some of its secrets to those willing to search … and ask questions.
76. Where Monks and Kings Rest in Peace
From a Zen tribute to tombs of ancient emperors, the countryside beyond Huế shares its memories well.
75. The Imperial Citadel of Huế
Surrounded by moats and thick walls, the 19th-century home of Vietnam’s final emperors is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
74. The Bridges of Da Nang
Even when other attractions are closed, the colorful bridges of the coastal metropolis of Da Nang make it worth a visitor’s time.
73. Mỹ Sơn Is Not My Son
Central Vietnam’s Mỹ Sơn sanctuary recalls a medieval era when the Hindu faith directed the course of the ancient Champa Empire.
72. Covid Is Not a Walk in Uncle Hô’s Park
“The fog comes on little cat feet,” American poet Carl Sandburg once famously wrote. Covid-19, it seems, has a similar agenda.
71. Eating My Way Through Hội An
Hội An isn’t just another tourist town. Its rich heritage extends to the culinary arts and includes a number of dishes unique to this city and region.
70. Hội An’s Chinese Flair
Colorful assembly halls and communal houses, the legacy of traders of yore, inject an element of exoticism in modern Hội An.
69. Romancing the Past in Hội An
The small city of Hội An has everything a tourist might want. It’s picturesque, historical, romantic, safe and affordable.
68. Culture and History on Vietnam’s Central Coast
A 1,200-year-old Hindu shrine complex, a legacy of the ancient Champa empire, is just one highlight of the heritage of Nha Trang.
67. Serendipity on the Beach at Nha Trang
The oceanside beach city of Nha Trang delivers golden sands, thrilling water sports and wonderful new friends.
66. A Day in the Life: Ho Chi Minh City
A full day on the streets in Saigon doing absolutely nothing, or at least the next best thing: Stop, look and listen.
Travels in Vietnam 