#Ao Dai

Elderly artisans work meticulously in a traditional textile workshop, processing yellow silk threads.

Van Phuc Silk Village: How to Visit Ha Dong's Weavers Without Getting Ripped Off

Ten kilometers from Hanoi, Van Phuc has been weaving silk for over a thousand years. Here's what to look for, what to skip, and how to buy honestly.

Jun 27, 20265 min readnorth

A scenic view of Turtle Tower on Hoan Kiem Lake surrounded by lush greenery in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Travel Tips

Tet Gift Culture: Li Xi, Lucky Money, and Family Visit Etiquette

If you're in Vietnam for Tet, you'll almost certainly be handed a red envelope — or expected to give one. Here's how the tradition actually works.

Jun 27, 20265 min readall

Stunning aerial view of floating villages amidst limestone islands in a serene green bay.

Destinations

Tan Chau Silk: The Mekong's Mulberry-and-Silkworm Tradition

Tan Chau in An Giang province produces Vietnam's most expensive silk — a centuries-old craft built on mulberry trees, silkworms, and a rare black-dyeing technique.

Jun 26, 20265 min readsouth

Stunning view of the Imperial City of Hue, Vietnam, reflected in calm waters at dusk.

Travel Tips

Hue Festival: When It Runs, What to See, and How to Plan Around It

Hue's biennial arts festival transforms the former imperial capital every two years into a city-wide stage. Here's when the next edition falls and what's worth your time.

Jun 21, 20264 min readcentral

Family wearing traditional Vietnamese clothing at a temple in Hội An, Vietnam, holding fans.

Destinations

Ao Dai Museum in Saigon: A Traveler's Guide

Everything you need to know about visiting Saigon's Ao Dai Museum — what to see, how to get there, and what most visitors get wrong.

May 25, 20266 min readsouth

Woman working with silk threads in traditional Vietnamese silk village.

Destinations

Lang Lua Van Phuc: A Traveler's Guide to Hanoi's Silk Village

Van Phuc silk village sits just 10 km from central Hanoi. Here's what to actually do there, what to buy, and how to avoid overpaying.

May 25, 20266 min readnorth

Travel Tips

Ao dai: Vietnam's National Garment — History and Style Guide

The "ao dai" is Vietnam's most iconic garment — a fitted tunic and silk trousers that evolved from 18th-century court dress into a symbol of Vietnamese identity. Learn its origins, regional styles, and where to buy or wear one.

Mar 2, 20264 min readall

Travel Tips

Taking Ao Dai Around the World: One Photographer's Mission

A Vietnamese photographer is documenting "ao dai" at 100 landmarks across 100 countries. Now at 70 locations, this project turns Vietnam's most recognizable garment into a global cultural bridge—one photograph at a time.

Feb 22, 20269 min readall

Destinations

Van Phuc Silk Village: How to Visit Ha Dong's Weavers Without Getting Ripped Off

Ten kilometers from Hanoi, Van Phuc has been weaving silk for over a thousand years. Here's what to look for, what to skip, and how to buy honestly.

Jun 27, 20265 min readnorth

Travel Tips

Tet Gift Culture: Li Xi, Lucky Money, and Family Visit Etiquette

If you're in Vietnam for Tet, you'll almost certainly be handed a red envelope — or expected to give one. Here's how the tradition actually works.

Jun 27, 20265 min readall

Destinations

Tan Chau Silk: The Mekong's Mulberry-and-Silkworm Tradition

Tan Chau in An Giang province produces Vietnam's most expensive silk — a centuries-old craft built on mulberry trees, silkworms, and a rare black-dyeing technique.

Jun 26, 20265 min readsouth

Travel Tips

Hue Festival: When It Runs, What to See, and How to Plan Around It

Hue's biennial arts festival transforms the former imperial capital every two years into a city-wide stage. Here's when the next edition falls and what's worth your time.

Jun 21, 20264 min readcentral

Destinations