Việt Nam News

As I drive down any road in HCMC I will always fly past a big sign that says BIDA without so much as a passing thought. Bida is one of the most popular pastimes for people in Việt Nam and is played across the country, everywhere from high-class establishments to open countryside huts.

Besides treating sick residents in HCM City, Dr Paul D'Alfonso and his wife have rescued hundreds of ill and abandoned pets. They have operated an animal rescue group for seven years with core members who are volunteers.

Oscar Wilde famously said, "Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about" and his contemporary Mark Twain proposed "The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter”.

For nearly a decade, Michael Hytinen, an American expat has stressed that “Việt Nam is my home”. He leads Refillables Hà Nội and promotes sustainable living in the city with the motto of 'Refill not Landfill'.

Since 2018, Michael Gerber has called Việt Nam home, captivated not only by its stunning landscapes but also by its promising terrain for sports tourism lovers.

The world is changing and while this may sound like a big statement to kick off such a short article, give me a chance to explain myself

Fakis Cho Chi FC: A unique football community team who are happy to welcome any new players to their high altitude pitch, if perhaps the skills are a little lower down the soccer scale.

Known as soccer or football around the world, in Việt Nam we call it "bóng đá" and EURO 2024 is proving to be a spectacular watch on the sporting calendar for locals and expats across the country.

After may years living in Hà Nội, Klair Simpson has launched a blog highlighting Vietnamese cuisine worldwide, while also sharing valuable insights to help gluten-intolerant individuals enjoy fantastic culinary experiences.

Consider it a civic duty to keep your local spots in business or be doomed to a future of dystopian food-halls and shiny wok’s clean of char in permanency.

As the ferry pulled into Vũng Tàu, the wharf was a welcome step after 15 kms of rocking and rolling across the bay. People held bags to their face and many conversations went silent as the boat left the sanctuary of the Sài Gòn River and took on the volatility of the open ocean. While the journey was short and in some people's opinion, quite calm, there was no other way to the beautiful Vũng Tàu peninsula.

Many Hanoians are flocking to Phan Đình Phùng street to take a peek at a sight their rarely ever see – a Swiss man grilling and advertising nem lụi, a favourite local street food.

The things they share often come from a place of passion, something far more noble and honest than gatekeeping or taking smug pleasure from being 'in the know'.

The sight of a foreigner cooking and selling bánh xèo and nem lụi on the street of Hà Nội sure is a little unusual to say the least. But his skills and dedication are no joke. Falling in love with the culture, Moritz from Switzerland returned to Việt Nam to immerse himself deeply in Vietnamese lifestyle. And what better way than volunteering at a restaurant.

Make a playlist, that perfect summer soundtrack to soothe your UV-scorched soul as you navigate the city's challenges.

On the occasion of the Norwegian Constitution Day, the 17th of May 2024, Norwegian Ambassador to Việt Nam, H.E. Ms Hilde Solbakken shared her address with the Việt Nam News.

I didn’t like it but you should visit this place once! A strange statement but one that is befitting of this unique attraction just outside Bà Rịa. The newly formed Rice Field Food Market is a wonderfully unique experience that you must try once.

In an increasingly online world where so many young people have the option of retreating to a considerably and sometimes entirely digital existence, it's reassuring to know that the allure of real-life socialising endures.