Me & the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon

Writers are never supposed to begin stories with bird’s-eye views from an airplane. But no arrival in my travel life has compared with my approach to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport in 1995. It was my first trip to Asia, … Read on

Vietnam Secret: DIY Halong Bay

A few years ago, when I was researching my free online guide to Vietnam (which fell to hacker a couple Decembers ago), I took two trips to the popular Halong Bay. One on a mid-range boat tour, which tended to huddle up with … Read on

Tagged Halong Bay

Vietnam Secret: Bach Ma

Most Vietnam itineraries connect the dots between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Hue, Hoi An and Nha Trang. Visitors take organized trips from either end, up north to Sapa or Halong Bay, and to the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh. Some … Read on

Random Photo: Mekong Delta

Those who only give the Mekong Delta a $10 or $15 from Saigon only get a brief look at Ben Tre, which is nice enough but stuffed with visitors (though this shot is from that area). Lost over the past decade is how … Read on

Tagged Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Spring-Break Inspiration

Here’s my Guideposts interview about some inspiring destination ideas for spring break: Mexico, Kansas, using local sports as vehicle to meet locals, and helping communities recovering from natural disasters.

Tagged Florida, Kansas, Media, Mexico, Vietnam

Random Photo: Hanoi

Hanoi turns 1001 this year. Let’s hear it for Hanoi!

Tagged Uncategorized