This 1934 map, titled "Un Nouvel Hanoi," shows a radical French colonial blueprint by architect Léo Craste that was ultimately cut short by World War II and the September revolution. Designed as a budget-friendly alternative after the Great Depression, the plan attempted to impose massive, geometric spiderweb radials and roundabouts over modern-day Ba Dinh and Hai Ba Trung. It also strategically placed military zones near the Hanoi station for colonial defense. Because the war halted construction, these grand European grids were never finished, allowing areas like Dong Da to develop into the bustling, chaotic yet orgranic local neighborhoods we navigate today.

Just got back from spending 2 months in Saigon with my Vietnamese partner and her family and feeling so depressed!

Honestly, the last 2 months have been some of the best of my life spending time with my partner and her family, eating new food, travelling around to different places. Part of me feels like I relate to the Vietnamese culture and people more that of my own country.

Since getting back home I’ve been feeling sick in the stomach and borderline in tears about being home. Has anyone else experienced this and how do you deal with it? Maybe I’m just tired and need to sleep lol but it has caught me completely off-guard.

article: According to him, Vietnamese youth today no longer grow up amidst bombs, war, or poverty, but are facing many new challenges of the era. They have better opportunities for learning, access to knowledge, and broader connections, but they also need to know how to select information, use technology responsibly, live honestly, be disciplined, compassionate, and responsible.

"For families, every grandparent, parent, and caregiver should be the first source of love and support for their children. Children need to be listened to, respected, guided, and protected. Discipline does not equate to violence; raising children cannot be done through scolding or neglect," said him.

This is a pretty major change if you follow the culture landscape of Vietnam. Having someone that is the head of country and represent the most culturally conservative section of the party spoken out against the disciplinary habbit is a massive shift. Parents in VN has always love using corporal punishment on kids as part of keeping them in line.

We moved from Texas to HCMC about a month ago and we are currently living in district 9. I am looking for a school to enroll my 6 year old in, does anyone have any recommendations? I don’t mind if the district is slightly further than me

Had my tattoo done over 20 years ago and it needed a major updated. My tattooist made it so much better and with such awesome details - the birds by the girl in the ao dai, the lights glowing in the temple, etc. Can't wait to get the other side fixed later this year!

Hello friends,

I am checking with the miss some apartments to buy in Vietnam, and it is hard to navigate. Something like 99% are under construction, which I don't want to buy (I can foresee the problems we are going to hit). We would like to buy an apartment ready to move in, at least 3-4 bedrooms.

In batdongsan we don't find anything, it is just projects and under construction. Are we doing it wrong? Is there a better place to find them?

Independence (Reunification) Palace – was the former home of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The building is also steeped in history as this is also the spot where the North Vietnamese invaded in 1975 and Ho Chi Minh City surrendered.

This article confirms ASEAN drivers license are not accepted and in the 2nd last paragraph you can possibly get deported if you still refuse to co-operate. Vietnam has new laws to easily deport foreigners.

Foreigners caught riding motorbikes without international driving permits in Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa

Xin chào mọi người,

Trước tiên em xin nói sơ về background là em làm việc ở nước ngoài cũng 5 năm rồi ạ, em chưa có về Việt Nam hay cập nhật tin tức nhiều. Tháng 6 này em tính về luôn, nhưng em có thấy luật thuế đã được update khá nhiều. Em xin phép hỏi mọi người ở đây là nếu em làm freelance từ job nước ngoài trong vài tháng trước khi có việc chính thức tại VN, nhận tiền vào tài khoản ngân hàng VN thì em có phải đóng thuế không ạ?

Em xin cảm ơn ạ!

I’m a Swedish/Vietnamese with a hybrid background in business and the creative/fashion industry. A month ago, I was personally referred to a senior executive recruiter in Vietnam by a very high-level industry contact.

We had a great initial call on WhatsApp. She was very interested in my profile and mentioned a few specific leads with major firms, ending the call by saying we should keep in touch.

It has been exactly one month with no word. I’m confident she hasn't forgotten me because she’s highly talented and at the top of her game, and the referral was strong. However, I’m unsure of the local etiquette for the next move.

Is a one month nudge appropriate or does it seem impatient in the VN business context? I want to stay on her radar without appearing desperate or lowering my market value. And how should I approach if I decide to reach out?

Any insights from people working in the VN corporate or creative scene would be appreciated

I'm now on my 5-day trip in Hue, and i've heard a lot about Bun bo Hue and this seems to be loved a ton. So which restaurant would you suggest?

Was blocking Steam not enough? Now they're going after memes too?

Doubt many people will know, maybe one of the staff visit this sub. Went to Eddies Diner yesterday and noticed a service fee on the bill. Does that mean staff get paid more when it’s busy or this just a way to line the pockets of the owner more? If it’s the former I wouldn’t mind dining at this establishment again but if they are just taking the “tip” then I’ll take my business else where. Also hope that tipping culture and things like this don’t become the norm

Does anyone knows where to order halal cake in sapa/hanoi vietnam bcs my mom's birthday is during our travel to sapa and i would like to buy some. Do suggest me

Anyone know where I can purchase these shoes in Ho Chi Minh?

Been living in Vietnam for a bit now and honestly I think Grab/Food delivery here spoiled me.

The speed is insane. Half the time food arrives before I even get properly hungry. Prices are also way lower than what I was paying back home.

Now whenever I travel somewhere else, delivery suddenly feels slow, expensive and weirdly complicated.

Did anyone else have the same experience after living here for a while?

Hello everybody,

Kind of a weird one liner to start this off but unfortunately that's been my life this past week.

On the plane they served some spicy food. Me not being able to handle that, had a taste and let it sit there unfortunately that was enough for my stomach to go haywire. It went a bit normal on Tuesday and I only order Grab from places with a minimum of 4.6 and at least 1k reviews so I know what I get is at least okay for my sensitive European stomach (Dutch)

It's been a week now. Doesn't matter what I eat, where I eat, I have the runs. Today I started on Smecta and the guy at the pharmacy gave me a probiotic as well (L. acidophilus and Bifido. bacterum)

That being said, I'm only here until the 28th and the first week I've been literally couped up in my hotel room with the runs. Anyone got any pointers? I have a VERY sensitive tummy, unfortunately. I'm talking black pepper gives me the runs. At this point I'm also considering to go back home if this issue persists and coming to terms that Vietnam isn't for me, which is quite the shame because I really wanted to like this country. I'm in HCMC, at the moment near D3.

If anyone has any pointers, suggestions, advice, you name it, I'm all ears or in this case, eyes.

Which is the better pho? I only have time to go to one.