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What about Vietnam - Traveller Insights

What about Vietnam - Traveller Insights
Author: Kerry Newsome
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© 2025 What about Vietnam - Traveller Insights
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Welcome to What About Vietnam - A Travel Podcast with Kerry Newsome. If you have ever thought about Vietnam as a holiday destination, but unsure, well, this may be just the eye-opener you need to help you decide you must go. A cross between "Trip advisor and a blog" minus the 300+ pages of reading, this podcast aims to give you insights into Vietnam from years of traveling to and from, and as a travel manager. My objective is to give you the information the guide books don't,.... in an easy to listen to, relatable format. Across this series, I will be your guide to "When and How" to travel throughout Vietnam. I will provide you with comprehensive information designed to make your trip fun, safe, and full of great adventures. You will hear from guest travellers about their experiences and the places they have visited. I interview locals, expats, travel experts and tour operators across the board. You never know who you are going to meet on the show, and that's what makes it interesting and entertaining. Check out full shows on the website - www.whataboutvietnam.comPlease SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW; It's free and that way you get notified of new episodes. If you have an Iphone and use Itunes please - Rate and Review.Please share through my social pages;-FB - https://www.facebook.com/whataboutvietnam/IG - https://www.instagram.com/whataboutvietnampodcastLK - https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-about-vietnam/YT - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCavCC1--oE5rUhO_SlENmqw
113 Episodes
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Hello and welcome to your starter guide and an eye-opener to Vietnam. I am truly excited to be bringing you this series. In this session, I talk about Food, The People and Experiences on Water, what's in store for History buffs, Adventure seekers, and Luxury travellers. They say that the best way to understand a country is through their food. Boy, are you in for a treat. I’d like to share with you my experiences with the people and what you can expect from their hospitality. Wha...
Welcome to What About Vietnam - Today we take you one step closer to getting you on your plane to Vietnam all set for a fantastic holiday. Today we discuss the “when” to go? This is probably one of the most common questions I get asked as a travel blogger. The reason being is….. “its important”. Its where you move into that commitment phase and by plotting dates you feel like "this is really going to happen. But have you got it right? In the case of Vietnam, the timing of your trip ...
Welcome to What About Vietnam - Series 1 - Episode 3 - "How should you travel to Vietnam?" This might sound like a crazy question, however as the world offers us many choices as in,:- Should you travel - As part of a tour; As an individual through a travel agent or do it all yourself online and commit to everything before you arrive? Or do you just book your flight and do everything off the cuff when you get there through Tour desks and local guides? Do you bring your family? Is it safe to...
Welcome to What About Vietnam - Series 1 - Episode 4 - Money Matters Money; A fairly Important ingredient for any holiday! So what does your Dong buy you in Vietnam? Is there a way to manage money so you don't feel like you are getting ripped off? Yes, there is. #Tipping, what's the protocol? And do you need a Sim Card? Let's get your head around money and exchange rates before you go, so you can budget for your trip and not worry as you go around. Let me talk about the spending power ...
Accommodation - The best place to rest your head. Amongst other things? Your trip planning is going well and you have your preferred dates and locations in mind of where you want to go - It's time to book accommodation. This is the exciting part of trip planning because if you are like me, this is when you really feel like "THIS IS REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN". I'm going! Listen up to my 5 golden rules - to ensure you get the type of stay, and value for money you are always hearing about in Vietn...
In this episode, I’d like to give you some general background to the country you will be visiting, from a cultural and historical standpoint. What to expect when you arrive! For most of us, it resembles - Organised chaos! Heat, smells and officialdom. Cities where there are more bikes than cars. What is the Visa process amid Covid19, and what are the things you need to watch out for? Do you need a Visa? The answer is most likely….YES...But..as you would expect it's not always that straightf...
Kerry gives an update of how Vietnam has managed the Covid Crisis and what drove Vietnam to take such a strong stand to close the borders early on and mandate wearing masks and hand sanitation. Currently, Vietnam has recorded the following:- Total cases | 1377 Total recovered | 1224 Total active case | 118 Total deaths | 35 You can find a very comprehensive guide to travel to Vietnam as it stands as of 22/12/20/ Who is eligible and what is required to enter the country here http://itsvietn...
Today's episode is particularly special as we delve into the vibrant celebration of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year and what that means for Vietnamese and you as a traveller during this time period. Drawing from my personal experiences in Vietnam, I've compiled 8 essential tips for travelers to help you navigate and appreciate Tet's rich traditions while planning your trip effectively. Tet is a time of giving, gratitude, and family, marking the advent of spring and a fresh start. It's imp...
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 yourself—or get expert help? This isn’t a simple yes-or-no answer. It’s one of the most personal choices you’ll make in your travel planning—and one that can completely shape how you experience Vietnam. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on both options, sharing the hon...
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 – one half of the travel blogging duo behind The Grahlife – as she shares her and her husband Zach’s first impressions of Vietnam during their adventure in March 2025. From landing in Hanoi to trekking the famous Son Doong Cave, Meghann walks us through the culture shock,...
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 step by step through the visa maze — from exemptions to e-visas — so you can avoid the heartbreak of being denied boarding before your holiday even begins. With new rules for 2025, e-visas are now open to all nationalities, and exemptions have been extended. Sounds ...
Welcome to "The Traveller experience series". Today we feature the city Hoi An and take a step back in time talking about the history of this famous city with Paul Simpson, my guest. Hoi An, is a very popular and famous Old Town. It will almost always feature in any tour you are looking at doing. If it doesn’t, it should! As a Unesco World Heritage site, it’s charm stems from its many lanterns, its pretty river and wooden shop houses. In its heyday it was a major trading port; Hear Pa...
You don't know what shopping in Vietnam is all about until you have shopped with our guest on the show today, Judith Treanor from https://templesandmarkets.com.au/ Our show today is for anyone who has ever thought Vietnam was just about cheap "copy" handbags, sweaty markets, tailoring and knock offs! ...You are in for a shock! Be ready to embrace everything from "wearable happiness to sustainable products that will save the earth and set tails wagging when you get home. As a regular visito...
Is Vietnam family-friendly? The answer is a resounding YES. Our guest today, Suzie Slingsby shares with us her tips from the many trips she has done to Vietnam with her husband and daughter Bella, who is now 8 years old. If you are thinking about Vietnam, but not sure if the kids will enjoy it and have plenty to do that's fun and affordable? Then you are going to love this episode. In my chat with Suzie we cover off some of those most asked questions:- Is it safe? Is it expensive? Is it cul...
Vietnam has so much to offer the tourist. You have all heard this said before! However, not all of its lively cities, or tranquil beaches, are played out in mainstream media or travel guides. Tam Ky is the capital of Quang Nam ( The same province Hoi An is located in) and Tam Thanh Beach are two of those places the tourist's HAVEN'T overrun or for that matter know much about. Meet Sander Seymour, my guest, today on the program. A fun American guy who came to Vietnam over 4 years ago, and t...
Today we delve a little deeper into the cultural side of Vietnam as we traverse an area where many of the minority groups still live, as they have done for many hundreds of years. Our program today takes us to a place called Mai Chau, Located in the Hoa Binh Province, about 135 Kms or 3 hours drive from Hanoi. We get to explore this rustic location with my guest traveler Cynthia Mann who managed to complete a trip there recently when the Covid-19 Lockdowns were suspended and trav...
Who doesn't want to take great photos of their trip to Vietnam?? If you are keen to visit Vietnam, chances are you have already seen some amazing pictures. I know myself, the pictures had me inspired from the start. The scenery is often breathtaking, and the people are gorgeous. One of the things you will learn to love about your visit to Vietnam is that the people are super friendly, and very welcoming. However, taking photos of them is an art, and one my guest today will explain to us, as ...
Hoi An hits your visitor radar! Again. You have limited time, and you want to know what are the best things to see and do in Hoi An? Who do you trust to give you the best advice? Give me a local anytime? I love to get the unfabricated, hidden gems, and the inside story from a local. A local Expat is even better, as most likely they have similar tastes, and standards, maybe even expectations; and there isn't the language or translation barrier to overcome. Today's episode is a gif...
Inspired by love, this episode focuses on Vietnam as an idyllic wedding destination. Despite Covid, brides and grooms are invited to hold out for their dream wedding and consider Vietnam in 2021 /22 as the perfect location. In this episode, I speak with Nadine Zeigeldorf, a wedding planner who elaborates on the kinds of things a wedding program can include to make the event incredibly special. Imagine a beautiful sunset and beach wedding. Fabulous tasty food. Chilled long stem g...
Today we take a peek into one of the worlds most famous cave systems located in Phong Nha National Park. Characterized by mountains, tropical forests and underground rivers, it’s known for its ancient limestone karsts and vast network of caves including the world-famous Son Doong Cave, the largest Cave in the world. After talking with my guest today, I think you will be convinced there is a lot more than meets the eye about this place. A place you just have to experience to believe it. Pleas...
I extremely like this podcast, especially this channel has transcrip for all expisodes. I can learn english well through our cultures and habits of my country!