What about Vietnam - Traveller Insights
Episodes
122 episodes
Where should you go first in Vietnam - What About Vietnam S6-E8
Where do you even begin with a country like Vietnam?It’s one of the most common questions I’m asked… and one of the hardest to answer simply.Because Vietnam isn’t just one destination.It’s a country of contrasts — north to sou...
Is now a good time to travel to Vietnam in 2026?- What About Vietnam S6-E7
As the world feels increasingly uncertain, it’s a question many travellers are quietly asking…Is now a good time to travel to Vietnam in 2026? Is Vietnam the best place to feel safe and still enjoy a holiday? In this e...
Is tipping expected in Vietnam? A practical guide for travellers- What About Vietnam S6-E6
Tipping. It’s one of those topics travellers rarely ask out loud — but almost everyone wonders about.· Do you tip in Vietnam?· Is it expected?· How much is appropr...
How to Handle Money in Vietnam – Cash, Cards, ATM Fees & Travel Tips for 2026 - What About Vietnam S6-E5
Money is one of the biggest quiet stress points for travellers heading to Vietnam.Will your card work? Do you need to bring Vietnamese dong before you leave? How much cash should you carry? Wh...
When is the best time of year to visit Vietnam ? - What About Vietnam S6-E4
When Is the Best Time of year to Visit Vietnam?It sounds simple… but this might be the most misunderstood question I get.Vietnam isn’t one climate. It’s three distinct regions — North, Central and South — each with their ow...
Do I need a Visa to enter Vietnam? - What About Vietnam S6-E3
Let’s start with one of the most important questions you need to answer before you get too far into booking or planning your trip to Vietnam.Why? Because this one question quietly underpins everything else. It sounds s...
Is TET a good time to Visit Vietnam? - What About Vietnam S6-E2
Is TẾT a Good Time to Visit Vietnam?What travellers should know before deciding to visit Vietnam during the TET holiday.Tết, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year, is the most important cultural period of the year — but is it a...
Is it safe to travel to Vietnam as a solo traveller? - What About Vietnam S6-E1
Welcome to What About Vietnam – One Question at a Time. This award-recognised podcast has spent five years listening closely to travellers, locals, and those who live and work on the ground in Vietnam. For Series 6, the format is sharper...
What About Vietnam – S1-E11 – Last words for 2025
Xin chào and welcome to What About Vietnam.As 2025 draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to pause — to thank you, to reflect on this journey that began back in 2020, and to share a few lasting lessons for travellers headin...
What About Vietnam – S1-E10 – No Visa or Evisa – Getting it right in 2025
Ever heard of travellers being stopped at check-in because their Vietnam visa didn’t match their flight?Sadly, it happens more often than you’d think. In this no-holds-barred episode of the What About Vietnam podcast, I take you...
What About Vietnam – S1-E9 – Vietnam Travel – First Impressions
Ever wondered what it’s like to set foot in Vietnam for the first time? Is the hype real? Or is it more like overload and no one is really talking about it.In this episode of What About Vietnam, I’m joined by Meghann...
What About Vietnam – S1-8 – The big decision: Join a Packaged Group Tour or DIY? – Which Suits You Best?
Let’s get real about travel planning to Vietnam.If you're heading to Vietnam, there’s one big decision you’ll need to make early on:Should you join a packaged group tour… or plan your own trip? Do you map it out ...
What About Vietnam – S5-E27 – Discovering Catholic Treasures of Vietnam: Church Hunting in Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh
Get ready to discover a side of Vietnam that remains largely unknown to most Western visitorsVietnam’s northern provinces hold secrets beyond the usual tourist trail—and in this episode, we go “church hunting” to uncover them. Joined by ...
What About Vietnam - S5-E26 - Wellness Tourism in Vietnam – A Fresh Take from Hoi An
If you've ever felt put off by wellness retreats that seem more like boot camps — all strict schedules, silent meals, and mandatory sunrise yoga — then this episode is for you.Join me as I broadcast from the tranquil grounds of
What About Vietnam – S5-E25 – Hoi An in Focus: 10 Things to Love from a Local’s View and a Traveller’s Return
Hoi An continues to enchant—and in 2025, it feels overflowing, more layered, and more revealing than ever. That’s why I’ve chosen to revisit one of my most loved conversations on the show—this time with a fresh perspective, and a few heartfelt ...
What About Vietnam S5 – E24 - Ha Giang: Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Adventure
Join me as we uncover Ha Giang, Vietnam’s breathtaking last frontier, with Ying, a local Black H’mong guide, who shares insider tips and cultural insights for an unforgettable adventure! If you have ever considered venturing into th...
What About Vietnam – S5-E23 - Pushing Limits, Finding Magic – Caving and Trekking in Phong Nha’s Tu Lan Cave System
A Thrilling Underground Adventure – Exploring the Tu Lan Cave System with OxalisIf you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to swim through ancient caves, trek through dense jungle terrain, and uncover one of Vietnam’s most pristine undergrou...
What About Vietnam - S5-E22 – 10 things travellers may not know about Vietnam
What About Vietnam – Kicking Off 2025 with Ian PayntonTo start the year with a bang, I wanted to explore some essential insights for travelers to Vietnam—things that first-time visitors might not know but, if they did, could make ...
What About Vietnam -S5-E21 – “Vietnam's Tet Holiday: Preparation and Tips for Tourists
With Tet just around the corner, this episode is your ultimate guide to preparing for Vietnam’s most vibrant and culturally rich celebration—don’t miss it!Tet, or Tet Nguyen Dan, is Vietnam’s most cherished holiday, marking the Lunar Ne...
What About Vietnam– S5- E20 – Saigon Unseen: The Sights You Didn’t Know You Were Missing
If you have the chance to spend a little extra time in Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City), you're in for far more than just the usual sightseeing—it’s a whole new adventure! Join me In this lively episode, as I chat with Matt Cowan, an ...
What About Vietnam - S5-E19 - Facelift and Dental Surgery Vietnam - A good news story
In this episode of What About Vietnam, we uncover a hidden gem: Vietnam’s rising reputation as a hotspot for affordable, high-quality dental and cosmetic procedures. My co-host Kelley shares her transformative facelift journey w...
What About Vietnam – S5_E18 – Hanoi Below the Surface
In this episode we delve into the vibrant yet often misunderstood city of Hanoi. While it is the capital, it often serves more as a transit point for travellers to visit other places like Halong Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa. This is an opportunity t...
What About Vietnam – S5-E17 - Motorbike riding in Vietnam: Safety, local tips and Epic Adventures
Welcome to another thrilling episode of "What About Vietnam"! Today, we’re hitting the brakes for a moment to give you an insider’s glimpse into the exhilarating world of motorbiking around this stunning country. Join us as we explo...
What About Vietnam – S5-E16 -Smart phone Apps and Tech Tips for travellers to Vietnam
No one travels these days without their phone. So, it makes sense to invest in some extra smartphone skills that can significantly enhance your travel experience if Vietnam.In this show we arm you with some of the best Tech Tips and Apps to...
What About Vietnam - S5-15 - Yen Bai - Discover luxury in the heart of nature
In this episode of the What About Vietnam podcast, I had the pleasure of uncovering Yen Bai and Tu Le—a region and destination resort I’d describe as a true “diamond in the rough” in Vietnam. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty and minima...