Local Insider

Hanoi has complex layers of culture to distinguish itself from others big cities in Vietnam. The border between the ancient Hanoi and the Hanoi of modernity and luxury one is not chaotic but unusually remarkable: With a walk down the same street, one can admire an antique Buddhist temple and soon after, the French architecture of a Catholic church. The capital’s unique blend is also reflected in its rich culinary culture: Some traditional dishes offer visitors the classic Asian-style taste, whil

Hostels are the way to go for budget-oriented travelers. Visitors can enjoy full of services with small angles, affordable rates. the suggestions below will give you the perfect choice for Saigon backpackers hostel. The Common Room Project Bizarre in concept yet strangely nice in the way it brings it all together, The Common Room Project is where hotel meets hostel, where the comfort blends well with young vibes and social interaction. There’s a community feel here (this is a hostel, after all)

Choosing a hotel for your holidays always takes time. Especially when you have a long list of places to visit, you have to book a hotel that is easy for you to commute. When in Hanoi, due to its complicated traffic system and the position of famous tourist attractions, you should book a hotel around Hanoi Old Quarter for your stay. Scroll down for more tips and suggestions: Overcrowded streets in Hanoi Old Quarter Many travellers book hotels in the center of Hanoi Old Quarter because they thin

Besides visiting famous places or trying authentic cuisine, shopping in Hanoi is one of the activities everyone should have on their list while traveling. Hanoi offers so many shopping options for any kind of interests. Find out more what you buy and where to shop in Hanoi. Immerse yourself in the best shopping experience and things to do in Hanoi [https://inspitrip.com/hanoi?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=city_page&utm_term=product_box&utm_content=5832] with Inspitrip now! 1. Ha

Ho Chi Minh City - also known as Saigon - is no longer a strange destination for travellers visiting Vietnam. Arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you are free to venture and explore a number of destinations in Vietnam, but believe me, don’t mistake Ho Chi Minh as another sprawling modern city without personality. With just a stroll, you can enjoy all the beauty of Ho Chi Minh - where both modern and immemorial vibes exist in the same city. Now, let's explore what a Ho Chi Minh City walking tour ca

Finding reasons to love Vietnam is not a difficult task, especially when you look at the charming landscapes, sprawling beaches, mesmerizing mountains and unique scenery only found in Vietnam. With all this, it is easy to forget the big cities of Vietnam, such as Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. We are going to compare and contrast the two cities to help you make an informed decision if Vietnam is next on your bucket list. Culture Regarding the culture of each city, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have some very s

If you want to enjoy Ho Chi Minh City night life [https://local-insider.com/top-5-nightlife-experiences-in-ho-chi-minh-city/] at its best, don’t forget to visit a rooftop bar, overlooking the vibrant city. These are great places to meet friends to share the views with. Here are our 5 go to rooftop bars in Ho Chi Minh City. The Social Club & Pool Rooftop Bar Located on level 24 of building 76 on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, this bar is a popular place for those who want to truly enjoy the view o

The Mekong Delta, otherwise known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, is a colourful display of various shades of green. Here in this water world, boats float in the lazy rivers, buffalos wander in the rice fields and ripe fruits adorn the trees. It is also here that visitors will get a true taste of the tranquil Vietnamese countryside. For those of you planning your dream trip to the Mekong Delta [https://local-insider.com/wonder-if-a-mekong-delta-day-tour-is-worth-it-read-this/], be sure to read o

Most visitors spend around 2 days in Ho Chi Minh city, and although the city has a lot to offer, with a well designed itinerary you can certainly get a good taste of the city lifestyle and make the most of your time here. Here’s a list of things to do for your 2 day stay in the most vibrant, dynamic city of Vietnam. Day 1 Morning Spend your first morning exploring some of Saigon's landmarks such as the Opera House, which was once was the headquarter of the Vietnam Cong Hoa congress with stunnin

99 percent of first-time travellers to Ho Chi Minh City will beeline for Ben Thanh Market in hopes of fulfilling all of their shopping needs. Locals, however, hardly frequent or recommend this market. Though it remains a must-see attraction, there are plenty of other shopping arenas that will delight all shopaholics visiting the city. Here, a list of the best shopping experiences in Ho Chi Minh City. Sai Gon Square Equipped with plenty of clothing, footwear, fashion accessories, tech gadgets an

The later the night, the more dynamic the life in Ho Chi Minh City!. You don’t want miss out on all the fun that this city has to offer. People say “Sai Gon never sleeps”, you don’t have to worry about searching for things to do here at night. Let’s explore our top experiences of Ho Chi Minh City nightlife! Saigon Opera House The Opera House is used to organize large scale performances. Professional art performances such as theater plays, traditional opera shows, ballets or fashion shows freque

After seven years, I came back to Ho Chi Minh City with my wife. Previously we have travelled to other parts of Vietnam and enjoyed the cuisines of Nha Trang and Hanoi as well. Though some things have changed in the period between our visits, Ho Chi Minh City remains as charming as ever. For me Vietnamese cuisine is one of the best cuisines in the world. My wife and I have certainly eaten our way through the country, trying the most famous Vietnamese dishes and local favourites along the way. I

You may encounter many Vietnamese people with Nguyen as their last name, but they actually share no relations. When hearing of someone with the last name Nguyen, you may think that he or she is Vietnamese, but have you ever wondered why so many Vietnamese people have the same last name? Introduction More than 40% of the Vietnamese population has Nguyen as their family name, meaning one in every three people in Vietnam has this as their last name. According to International Business Times, [http

If you are planning to visit Ho Chi Minh City or Vietnam in December, you are making the right decision. We are here to tell you why December is the most ideal time of the year to travel in Vietnam and where you should visit during this time that perfectly suit the weather. HOW IS THE WEATHER? Ho Chi Minh City’s weather is similar to Bangkok’s and has two main seasons: a rainy and dry season. The dry season lasts from December to the end of April, and the wet season lasts from May to November.

Cu Chi Tunnels is famously known as an underground network built by Viet Cong soldier to serve secret operations against American army. It’s even recognized as one of 12 most admirable underground constructions in the world by CNN and becomes a must see attractions towards both local and foreign visitors. Through a Cu Chi Tunnels half day tour, let take a closer look inside what’s it like to live in such a complicated yet comprehensive network during the war time. A must see historical attracti

No one knows precisely how long ago local markets first came to be in Vietnam. Like many provinces around the country, there are countless ones found in Ho Chi Minh City. Beyond their economic aspects, local markets are also rooted into the locals’ lives and represent the lifestyle of the Vietnamese. Here, everything you need to know about Vietnam local markets. The local markets of Vietnam Because of the diverse history and distinct culture found in each region, local markets across the countr

Have you ever felt so connected to a city that you have never been to or just visited once? Blame it on your zodiac sign. But it’s beyond amazing to travel to a place where your soul belongs to. So let decide where you should travel based on zodiac sign, at least once. Aries -Born between: Mar 21st to April 20th While most of zodiac signs intensively research and prepare for a perfect trip before they go, it's not a big deal to Aries at all. With a spontaneous nature, Aries can unexpectedly jum

For first time visitors, the Ben Thanh market is one of the most iconic bazaars in all of Vietnam. There are plenty of other impressive Saigon markets that are just as noteworthy, however, and they are filled with unique finds, exciting history and fascinating local people manning their shops. Here, the six most noteworthy markets to visit when travelling to Ho Chi Minh City. Ben Thanh market The Ben Thanh market was built by Brossard et Maupin. The Construction began in 1912 and finished in Ma

Vietnam is famously known for its rich and fascinating cuisine, and it has become an endless exploration for many travelers. With over 3000 km of coastline, the food changes from North to South and there are plenty of dishes that represent each region. If your time in Vietnam is not a lot, yet you still desire to travel deep into the foodie culture, then Ho Chi Minh City should be your top destination! With most authentic Vietnamese foods easily found, along with countless local markets, food st

I am a French intern in Singapore, and I try to seize all the opportunities I can in order to travel around on the weekends. So when I was searching Skyscanner and saw cheap flight tickets to Ho Chi Minh City, I knew I had to take my chance to travel there. A two-day trip to Vietnam? Yes, it would be a challenge, but I felt I had to make the most of my weekend in Ho Chi Minh City and I was able to do so thanks to Inspitrip and my lovely local guide, Bella. How did I find my local guide to avoid

Philip Kotler, a famous U.S marketer, once said “kitchen of the world” could be suitable title of Vietnam, due to its bounty of good dishes. Vietnamese traditional foods differ from place to place, each region having its own flavourful traditional dishes. Ho Chi Minh City is the land of immigrants; therefore, its cuisines are diverse as its culture. One of the best ways to get a real taste of Vietnam is going to some authentic restaurants in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Here are top Vietnamese

Vietnam has been staying on the bucket list of many travellers. With rich culture, authentic cuisine and stunning nature, there'd never “enough time” to explore all the amazing things that the country has to offer. To those who travel with kids (especially with small ones), travelling is a great family bonding time yet it'd be a total disaster if you don't plan your trip carefully beforehand. How to reduce the stress when travelling in Vietnam with kids? How to keep your family safe, healthy and

Considered as one of the happiest countries in the world, Vietnam also offer visitors tons of joy that you can easily find anywhere on streets. Taking a walk around any city of Vietnam, you’ll discover numerous Vietnam fun facts that will make your day. From motorbike-that-can-carry-anything to crazily-no-rule-traffic or simply a loud laugh of a rustic peasant. Here are 8 unique things in Vietnam that might cause you culture shocks. Pyjama fashion Vietnamese women in rural areas love to wear a

Every year, I arrange at least one trip for myself. However, this year my trip with two Ho Chi Minh city local experts was a spontaneous one. After short-listing a few places I wanted to go to and Vietnam,  Ho Chi Minh City happened to be one of them. I  looked at some photos of the city and channeled my love to visit historical places and natural destinations.  Moreover, I was also intrigued by all of the Facebook content out there about Ho Chi Minh City on historical buildings in the city. Tha

In early 2016, I decided to climb Fansipan - the highest mountain in Indochina. I was led up the mountain by Pe, a member of a minority tribe in Sapa, Vietnam. What happened after our trip continued to shock yet inspire me enough to eventually create Inspitrip, a platform connecting travelers with locals for personalised and off the beaten path experiences. Inspitrip has been set up to empower local communities and make traveling more authentic and meaningful. I want to solve the unfairness in

I've been living in Saigon for almost three years and have traveled to many different cities in Vietnam, yet I always have done it on my own or by searching for the cool places on Instagram or following my Vietnamese friends suggestions. I've never thought of needing a person to guide me on trip as I'm confident I can handle everything on my own, due to my past experiences in traveling. However, my expat friends are quite excited at the idea of traveling with a local and recently and they referr

Comprised of 3 main streets: Bui Vien, De Tham and Pham Ngu Lao, this area is called by locals as “Backpacker district,” which refers to plenty of backpackers who frequent this area of Ho Chi Minh City. Backpackers, usually compare Bui Vien street to Khao San (the tourist street of Bangkok) and called it Khao San Saigon sometimes. Though tourists are trolling around the area day and night, doesn't mean you can't go off-the-beaten-path and have some authentic local experiences. Read our article t