Vietnam’s capital city serves up history and religion on a walk past West Lake to the Ba Dinh district.
Author Archives: John Gottberg Anderson
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.
65. Christmas in Thao Dien
Even for an expatriate who has strained to distance himself from Western culture: Sometimes, you’ve just got to have a hamburger.
64. The Soul of Colonial Saigon
Modern Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, is the sum of its historical parts. Many of the city’s most memorable buildings reflect the French colonial era.
63. A Brief History of Vietnam
A review of the nation’s long and varied history takes center stage in this report, as the author prepares to hit the road with a pocketful of magazine assignments.
62. The World Coffee Museum
The World Coffee Museum in Buôn Ma Thuột honors traditions of the planet’s favorite beverage in its exhibits and demonstrations.
61. Coffee Culture in Dak Lak
Vietnamese coffee is a stronger brew than most foreigners expect to find here. The author learns about its robust beans with the help of a South African friend.
Travels in Vietnam 