Field Notes 103 stories
Visa, relocation, and travel guides for Vietnam from people who actually live here
Honest breakdowns — what actually works, what isn't worth your time. Written by the team that's been on the ground for years.
Latest
Vietnam or Thailand With Kids: A Real Family Cost Comparison for 2026
Vietnam or thailand with kids. A 10-night family trip to Thailand starts around $1,900 for two adults in high season; the same length trip to Vietnam runs…
Read story →
Vietnam Travel Tips
Cam Ranh, Vietnam: What to See and When to Visit in 2026
Cam ranh vietnam. Cam Ranh is a quiet beach town 40 minutes south of Nha Trang, and most travelers skip it entirely - they land at …
Travel Guides
Best Day Trips from Hoi An 2026: My Son vs Marble Mountains vs Cham Islands
Day trips from Hoi An. Three day trips leave Hoi An every morning: My Son Sanctuary for Cham temple ruins (about 40 km southwest, …
Travel Guides
Vietnam Route from Hanoi: A Flexible 2-3 Week Itinerary for Independent Travelers
Vietnam route from hanoi. A Hanoi-to-Ho Chi Minh City route covers roughly 1,650 km and works best across 14 to 18 days, hitting …
Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc: Which Beach Wins in 2026 (Full Comparison)
Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc compared on price, beaches, visa rules, and airports - real 2026 numbers for choosing the right Vietnam …
Vietnam Travel
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat or Mui Ne: Which Route to Ride
Route from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat (302km) or Mui Ne (233km): distances, daily costs, weather, and a step-by-step riding plan …
Vietnam Travel
Vietnam Direct Flights from Russia in 2026: Routes & Times
Vietnam direct flights 2026. Direct flights from Russia to Vietnam in 2026 run to four airports - Nha Trang (Cam Ranh), Hanoi, Ho …
Travel Guides
Hai Van Pass 2026: Train vs Motorbike vs Private Car (Da Nang to Hue)
Hai Van Pass compared for 2026: train, motorbike, and private car costs, times, and which one to pick for Da Nang to Hue.
Vietnam Travel Guide
Da Lat vs Sapa: Which Vietnam Mountain Trip Fits You in 2026
Da Lat vs Sapa compared for 2026: climate, altitude, Datanla canyoning vs Fansipan trekking, hotel prices, and how to reach Da Lat …
Food & Culture
Vietnamese Coffee Guide 2026: Egg, Coconut and Salt Coffee Explained
Vietnamese coffee guide 2026: egg, coconut and salt coffee explained with real prices, origins, and where to try each one.
Vietnam Travel
Trang An vs Tam Coc: Which Ninh Binh Boat Tour Is Better in 2026
Trang An vs Tam Coc in 2026: real prices, boat durations, crowd levels, and foot-rowing facts compared side by side for Ninh Binh …
Vietnam Travel
Sapa Trekking: A Practical 3-Day Itinerary with Homestays
Sapa trekking fansipan. A 3-day Sapa trekking itinerary runs roughly $70-120 per person, including a local guide, homestay meals, …
Vietnam Travel
Ninh Binh vs Ha Long Bay 2026: Which One to Pick and What 2 Days Costs
Ninh Binh vs Ha Long Bay: real 2026 cost breakdown, a day-by-day booking checklist from Hanoi, and when to pick the boat cruise …
Vietnam Travel Guide
Dalat Airport Closed 2026: How to Still Visit Da Lat (Full Guide)
Dalat airport closed 2026. Lien Khuong Airport (DLI), Da Lat's only airport, is closed to every flight from March 4 through August …
Travel Guides
Best Diving and Snorkeling Spots in Vietnam Compared (2026)
Best diving snorkeling spots vietnam. Vietnam's best dive and snorkel spots split by what you want: Con Dao has the best-preserved …
Ba Na Hills Ticket Prices 2026: New 3-Day Validity Rule Explained
Ba Na Hills ticket prices 2026: exact VND cost, the new 3-day validity rule, FaceID rules, and how it compares to the old one-ride …
Travel Guides
Vietnam vs Thailand in 2026: Which Is Bigger, and Which Is Richer?
Vietnam vs Thailand compared by land area, population, GDP and tourist arrivals in 2026 - real numbers, not just budget and visa …
Transport
Vietnam Flights vs Train vs Bus in 2026: Prices, Times and Routes Compared
Vietnam flights train bus. Flying is the fastest way to cover every major domestic route in Vietnam, and often the cheapest too: …
Vietnam
Tet 2026 in Vietnam: What to Expect If You Live There
Tet 2026 vietnam. Tet 2026 — the Year of the Horse — starts on February 17. The official holiday window runs February 14 through …
Travel Guides
Phong Nha Caves 2026: Son Doong vs Paradise vs Phong Nha
Phong Nha caves compared for 2026: Son Doong, Paradise Cave, and Phong Nha Cave costs, difficulty, and booking lead time, so you …
Travel Comparisons
Mekong Delta Tour 2026: 1-Day vs 2-Day Compared
Mekong Delta tour 2026: compare the $19 one-day My Tho and Ben Tre trip with the 2-day Can Tho tour that actually reaches Cai Rang …
Family Travel
Vietnam With Kids in 2026: Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc vs Da Nang
Vietnam with kids in 2026: real family costs for Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang, plus what to check before booking with young …
Vietnam Travel Guide
Is Dalat Worth Visiting? A Practical Guide to Vietnam's Mountain Town in 2026
Dalat, Vietnam guide 2026: how many days you need, entrance costs for Crazy House and Langbiang, canyoning prices, and how to get …
Travel Guides
Ha Long Bay Cruise Comparison 2026: Day Trip vs Overnight, Every Tier and Price
Ha Long Bay cruise prices for 2026: day trips run $23-120, overnight cruises $105-980+ across 5 tiers. Compare Bhaya, Orchid, …
Vietnam Travel
Ha Giang Loop 2026: Solo Ride or Guided - What Actually Changes
Ha Giang Loop 2026: what the international driving permit rule really means, the 5-day route day by day, and realistic self-drive …
Travel Comparisons
Vietnam vs Bali for a Beach Holiday in 2026: Honest Comparison
Vietnam vs Bali for a 2026 beach holiday: visas, budgets, flights and crowds compared honestly, plus which Vietnam beach town …
Food & Culture
Vietnam Street Food Guide 2026: What to Eat in Each Region
Vietnam street food guide 2026: pho, bun cha, cao lau, mi quang, banh mi and 9 more dishes by region, with real prices and …
Travel Guides
Vietnam or Thailand: Which Is Actually Safer for Tourists in 2026?
Vietnam or Thailand safety compared for 2026: street theft, nightlife risk, road safety, and food hygiene side by side for …
How Many Days Do You Need in Vietnam in 2026? A Trip-Length Guide by Region
How many days in Vietnam 2026: plan ~10 days for a north-to-south highlights trip, ~7 for one or two regions, ~2 weeks for the …
Best Things to Do in Phu Quoc in 2026: 10 Attractions Worth Your Time
Things to do in Phu Quoc in 2026 - an honest worth-it/skip-it ranking of the island's 10 top attractions, with real costs and time …
Best Islands in Vietnam 2026: Phu Quoc vs Con Dao vs Cat Ba vs Ly Son Compared
Best islands in Vietnam 2026: Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Cat Ba, Ly Son and Nam Du compared on access, season, crowds and what each is …
Best eSIM and Mobile Data Plans in Vietnam 2026 (Honest Carrier Comparison)
Best eSIM in Vietnam 2026: Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone, Airalo and Saily compared on price, coverage and 5G speed.
What to See in Nha Trang in 2026: A First-Timer's Guide
What to see in Nha Trang: the three must-do sights are the Po Nagar Cham Towers (30,000 VND), Long Son Pagoda (free), and …
Travel Guides
Vietnam or Thailand: How to Pick for Your First Trip
Vietnam or Thailand: a practical 2026 decision guide covering visas, weather by month, beaches, and real weekly budgets so you can …
Travel Guides
Hoi An vs Hue vs Da Nang: Best Central Vietnam Base for Your Trip in 2026
Hoi An vs Hue vs Da Nang compared for 2026: distances, hotel prices, and day trips, so you know which central Vietnam base …
Best Day Trips from Da Nang in 2026 (Real Logistics)
Day trips from Da Nang in 2026 - real logistics, costs and travel times for Hoi An, Ba Na Hills, My Son, Marble Mountains, Hue and …
Travel Guides
Vietnam vs Thailand: An Honest Review After a Season in Both (2026)
Vietnam vs Thailand review after a full season in each: budget, beaches, visas and vibe compared honestly to help you decide where …
Vietnam Vacation Cost in 2026: What a Real 10-Day Trip Actually Costs
Vietnam vacation cost in 2026: about $900-$1,000 per person for 10 days excluding flights. Real budget by category - hotels, food, …
Travel
Phu Quoc in 3 Days: A First-Timer's Route Beyond the Beaches
Phu Quoc in 3 days: the Hon Thom cable car, Sunset Town, swimmable beaches, real costs and the visa rule - a first-timer's route …
Travel Guides
Best Time to Visit Vietnam in 2026: Month-by-Month Weather by Region
Best time to visit Vietnam in 2026: month-by-month weather and crowds for the North, Central and South, with March the one …
Travel Guides
10-Day Vietnam Itinerary 2026: North & Central Route for First-Timers
10-day Vietnam itinerary for 2026: split Hanoi (Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh) and Da Nang (Hoi An, Hue, My Son), with transport apps, …
Expat Life
Why Coming Home After Vietnam Feels Harder Than the Trip Itself
Reverse culture shock after Vietnam is real: Da Nang rent runs $300-450/month, meals $1.50-3. Here's what makes coming home feel …
Vietnam Itinerary Mistakes: 5 Planning Errors That Ruin Your Trip in 2026
5 Vietnam itinerary mistakes that wreck 10-14 day trips: overpacking, tight transport timing, ignoring 3 climates, overtourism, …
Travel Stories
Police, Army, and a Hazmat Suit Surrounded Our Vietnam Tent
Vietnam motorbike camping story. In the middle of a COVID lockdown, six police officers, two soldiers, a doctor, and a man in a …
Vietnam Lifestyle
A Perfect Day in Vietnam: What It Actually Looks Like After 4 Years Living Here
A perfect day in Vietnam runs on three anchors: morning movement, a motorbike, and a planned evening. Real routine from 4 years …
Vietnam Travel
7 Underrated Places in Vietnam Tourists Skip in 2026 (Local Guide)
Underrated places in Vietnam for 2026: Sa Pa's quiet valley, Ninh Binh's UNESCO karst, Ha Giang Loop, Con Dao and more, with real …
Travel Tips
6 Vietnam Tourist Mistakes to Avoid in 2026 (A Local Guide's Take)
6 Vietnam tourist mistakes that ruin trips: arguing with locals, risky street food picks, drug law surprises, and sunburn. A local …
Travel Guides
2-Week Vietnam Itinerary 2026: Budget Breakdown for First-Timers
2-week Vietnam itinerary 2026: costs, city split (Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay), and the biggest planning mistake …
Vietnam Excursions in 2026: Real Prices and How to Book Without Getting Ripped Off
Vietnam excursions. A group city tour in Nha Trang runs about $30, an island-hopping boat trip $35-50, and a two-day trip to Ho …
Vietnam Itinerary from Nha Trang 2026: Where to Go Next and How to Get There
Vietnam itinerary from nha trang. From Nha Trang, the two main routes are north toward Danang and Hoi An, or south to Ho Chi Minh …
Tours
Nha Trang Trip From Moscow 2026: Costs, Visa and Budget
What a Nha Trang trip from Moscow really costs in 2026: flights from 75,000 rubles, hotels from $8 a night, 45-day visa-free …
Vietnam Travel
Nha Trang Tours from St. Petersburg in 2026: Flights, Visa, Costs and Season
Nha Trang tours from St Petersburg. Russian travelers can fly direct from St. Petersburg to Nha Trang on winter charters, stay 45 …
Tours
Nha Trang from Khabarovsk: Complete 2026 Guide (Flights, Costs, and What to Do)
Planning a Nha Trang trip from Khabarovsk? Get real flight routes, honest budget numbers, and insider tips on when to go — from …
Best Beaches in Vietnam 2026: North vs Central vs South — Honest Comparison
Vietnam beaches compared: North (Ha Long, Cat Ba) best Apr–Jun; Central (Da Nang, Hoi An) best Feb–Aug; South (Phu Quoc, Con Dao) …
Tours
Vietnam Tour from Bishkek in 2026: Which Resort to Choose and What It Really Costs
Planning a Vietnam tour from Bishkek? Compare Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc, get real budget numbers, and find out when to go — from …
The Perfect Vietnam Itinerary: 10 Days North to South (2026 Guide)
Vietnam itinerary 10 days. Ten days is enough to travel Vietnam north to south and properly see the three regions that matter: the …
Vietnam vs Thailand for a 2-Week Holiday in 2026: Honest Comparison
Vietnam or Thailand for 2 weeks? Budget ($900 vs $1,400), visas, beaches and 14-day routes compared honestly for holiday travelers …
Travel Guide
Top 15 Places to Visit in Vietnam in 2026 (A Local's Honest Guide)
Top 15 places to visit in Vietnam in 2026 — from Ha Long Bay to Con Dao, with real tips on best time, entry costs, and who each …
Vietnam Package Tours from Yekaterinburg 2026: What You Actually Get for Your Money
Vietnam tours from Yekaterinburg 2026: real price breakdown, resort comparison (Nha Trang vs Cam Ranh), and booking timing for …
Vietnam 2026: Direct Flights from Russia and What Tour Packages Actually Cost
Direct flights to Vietnam from Russia in 2026 depart from 18 cities. Nha Trang from 230,000 RUB per two for 10 nights, Phu Quoc …
How to Buy a Vietnam Tour Package in 2026: Costs, Resorts and What to Watch For
Vietnam tour packages 2026. Vietnam tour packages for two start at around 125,000 RUB ($1,350 USD) for 10 nights at a 3-star hotel …
When to Book a Vietnam Tour in 2026: Early-Booking Guide and Real Prices
Vietnam tours from Moscow cost from $1,550 for two in 2026. Book 4-6 months ahead — last-minute peak season deals don't exist …
Travel
Why Vietnam Tours Are So Expensive in 2026 (and How to Build a Cheaper Trip)
Vietnam tours are expensive in 2026 because of flights, peak-season hotels, and operator markups — not Vietnam itself. Here's …
Vietnam Tour Prices in 2026: What's Really Included in Every Package
Vietnam tour prices 2026 range from $716 to $8,400+ per person (land only). Exact breakdown of what's included at budget, …
Best Vietnam Itineraries 2026: 7, 10 and 14-Day Routes (Local Expert Picks)
Vietnam itinerary 2026: 7 days covers Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Hue from $350. 10 days adds HCMC and Mekong. 14 days is the …
Visa
Vietnam Visa for Kazakhstani Citizens in 2026: 30 Days Visa-Free + E-Visa Rules
Kazakhstan passport holders enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 30 days since May 2024. For longer stays, a 90-day e-visa costs $25 …
Expat Life
Best Banks for Foreigners in Vietnam 2026 (Honest Comparison)
Best banks for foreigners in Vietnam 2026: Techcombank, Vietcombank, ACB, VPBank, BIDV compared on foreigner access, English …
Expat Life
Cost of Living in Vietnam 2026: Real Monthly Numbers by City
Cost of living in Vietnam 2026 by city: Da Nang $900–$1,200/mo, Hanoi $1,000–$1,400, HCMC $1,200–$1,700. Real Numbeo June 2026 …
blog
Vietnam E-Visa Denied? Here's Why and How to Fix It in 2026
Vietnam e-visa rejected? Learn the 8 reasons why applications fail in 2026 and the exact steps to reapply correctly — without …
Living in Vietnam
Best Cities for Expats in Vietnam 2026: Da Nang vs Ho Chi Minh vs Nha Trang vs Hanoi
Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, or Hanoi — which is the best city for expats in Vietnam in 2026? Rent data from Numbeo Jun …
Vietnam Visa
Vietnam E-Visa in 2026: Payment, Status Tracking and What to Show at the Border
Vietnam e-visa costs $25 (single) or $50 (multi-entry). Takes 3 business days. Russian Mir cards rejected — here's what actually …
Vietnam Visa
How Long Does Vietnam E-Visa Take in 2026: Real Processing Times Explained
Vietnam e-visa processing time 2026. Vietnam e-visa officially takes 3 business days but realistically 5-7. Apply at evisa.gov.vn …
Travel
Best Vietnam Tour Operators in 2026 (Honest Local Comparison)
An honest, locally written comparison of the best Vietnam tour operators in 2026 — founding year, specialization, price tier and …
Vietnam Visa
Vietnam E-Visa 2026: Step-by-Step Guide to the New Official Portal
Vietnam e-visa official site. Vietnam's e-visa costs $25 for single entry or $50 for multiple entry and is issued through the …
Vietnam Travel
The Best SIM Card for Vietnam in 2026: Why Coverage Beats Price
Vietnam sim card. The best SIM card for Vietnam in 2026 is Viettel, and it's not close. After two years of living here and riding …
Visas & Residency
Vietnam Golden Visa: What Was Announced, What Actually Works in 2026
Vietnam's Golden Visa was announced in May 2025 with 5/10-year tracks and rumored $250–400K thresholds, but no application process …
Vietnam Visa
Vietnam E-Visa Application 2026: A Calm Walkthrough for First-Time Travelers
Vietnam e-visa application. The official portal is evisa.gov.vn — $25 single-entry or $50 multiple-entry, payable by a non-Russian …
Vietnam Travel
Da Nang in 24 Hours: A Realistic One-Day Route for First-Time Visitors
Da nang what to see. Da Nang in 24 hours is a real choice, not a comfortable one. Vietnam's fourth-largest city has Marble …
Living in Vietnam
Cost of Living in Vietnam 2026: A Long-Stay Traveler's Budget
Cost of living in Vietnam in 2026 — a long-stay traveler's real monthly budget for Da Nang, Nha Trang and Saigon: rent, food, …
Visa
Vietnam Visa Exemption for Russian Citizens 2026: Official 45-Day Rules
Vietnam visa exemption for Russian citizens 2026: official 45-day visa-free entry under Resolution 44/NQ-CP, no forms or fees. …
Living in Vietnam
Renting an Apartment in Da Nang: A Real Guide for Your First Month
Renting apartment da nang. A furnished one-bedroom in Da Nang runs $200–400 a month if you rent directly from local Facebook …
Expat Life
Vietnam Healthcare Guide: Hospitals, Costs & Travel Insurance
Healthcare vietnam hospitals. Vietnam has world-class private hospitals and bare-bones public ones — both exist in every major …
Vietnam Travel Safety
Dangerous Animals in Vietnam: Real Risks for Travelers
Dangerous animals in Vietnam are not the snakes you fear — they're mosquitos, jellyfish and sand fleas. Six-year resident's guide …
Expat Life
Six Years in Vietnam: An Honest Reality Check Before You Move
Expat life vietnam. After six years in Vietnam — most of them in Da Nang, with stretches in Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang — the …
Relocation
Vietnam International Schools 2026: What $15K-$38K a Year Actually Buys an Expat Family
Real annual cost of international schools in Vietnam: $25K-$45K with capital fees, application, transport. Da Nang vs HCMC vs Nha …
Living in Vietnam
Real Expat Reviews of Living in Vietnam: What People Say After Six Months in 2026
Honest expat reviews of living in Vietnam in 2026: real budgets $500-3500/mo, why some stay and others leave, profiles of who …
Living in Vietnam
Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam: An Honest Long-Stay Guide for Digital Nomads in 2026
Living in Vietnam costs a solo nomad $1,000-1,800/month. Pros, cons, real budget and 5-point decision checklist from someone …
Travel
Vietnam in 7 Days Beyond the Beach: A North-First Slow-Travel Route for 2026
A 7-day Vietnam cultural itinerary covering Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang — no beach resorts, no package tours. Real …
Digital Nomad
Vietnam vs Thailand for Digital Nomads 2026: Real Monthly Costs After Living in Both
Vietnam vs Thailand for digital nomads in 2026: monthly costs $1,100-1,800, banking, internet, motorbike rental. Lived in Da Nang …
Visa
Vietnam Visa Overstay 2026: Fines, Lao Bao Costs, and How to Fix It
Vietnam visa overstay 2026: real costs at Lao Bao border from Da Nang — 6 case studies and a one-day plan to clear it.
Relocation
Living in Vietnam in 2026: Complete Expat Guide to Life, Visas, and Money
Living in Vietnam as an expat: visas, $350+ rentals, money transfers, daily life. Real numbers from 6 years in Da Nang. Honest …
Relocation
Best Cities in Vietnam with Kids: Schools, Air Quality, and Safety Compared
Where to live in Vietnam with kids. Da Nang fits most families: beach, international schools, safety, clean air. From an expat …
Living in Vietnam
Where to Live in Vietnam: Da Nang vs Saigon vs Nha Trang — An Expat's Honest Comparison
Where to live in Vietnam: Da Nang, Saigon, and Nha Trang compared on rent, air quality, schools, and beach access. A breakdown for …
Finance
Sending Money From Vietnam in 2026: USDT, Wise, SWIFT, and the Hidden Fees
How to send money out of Vietnam in 2026: Wise, SWIFT, USDT TRC20, and cash. Real fees, step-by-step, and the gotchas expats run …
Travel
Vietnam in One Week: An Expat's Honest Itinerary (After Living Here Six Years)
A real one-week Vietnam itinerary from an expat who's lived in Da Nang for 6 years. North, center, south — what to see, where …
Expat Life
Work Permit Vietnam 2026: How to Get One Without Flying Home Twice for Documents
Work permit Vietnam 2026 guide for foreign professionals. Documents, Decree 152 requirements, processing times, costs, and the TRC …
Visa
Vietnam Visa Extension From Inside the Country: 2026 Guide
Vietnam visa extension explained — three ways: visa run, e-visa online ($25), agent-handled extension. Real expat experience and …
Relocation
Moving to Vietnam in 2026: How Not to Mess Up Your First Year
Moving to Vietnam in 2026 — visas, budget, banking, housing. The hidden costs of your first quarter and a checklist that saves you …
Expat Life
How to Move to Vietnam in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide for Expats
Move to Vietnam in 2026 without the expensive mistakes. Visa options, real budget, pet import rules, and the first-month setup …
Expat Life
Vietnam Tax for Foreigners 2026: Complete Guide for Expats
Vietnam tax for expats 2026: tax residency under the 183-day rule, 5-35% income tax brackets, deductions, filing, double-tax …
Vietnam Travel
Why September Is the Only Month I'll Visit Sapa Now
Three trips to Sapa taught me one thing: pick September or don't bother. What I learned about timing, homestays, and the photo I …
Visa
Vietnam E-Visa 2026: I applied three times and messed up twice
Step-by-step e-visa application with the mistakes that cost me a week. Official fees, photo specs, and the one rule nobody …
Visa
My first visa run almost went wrong three times
What nobody tells you about the Lao Bao border run from Da Nang. Real costs, the catch-22 with e-visas, and why I now leave at 4 …