Hoài Hà
Articles by Hoài Hà
THE VIBRANT RED OF TET ON SAIGON’S CHINESE STREETS
In the days leading up to Tet, Saigon’s Chinese neighborhoods gradually dress themselves in familiar shades of red. From decoration shops and everyday preparations to the quiet presence of Ong Bon Pagoda, the spirit of Tet reveals itself through simple, intimate details of daily life.
ANCESTRAL WORSHIP IN LAOS – PEACEFUL STOPS FOR A SERENE TET 2026
In Laos, Buddhist beliefs are not separate from everyday life but woven are into daily routines and social customs. Temples, sacred sites, and places of worship are not merely tourist attractions; they are spaces where people seek calm and balance. For those looking for a gentle, reflective journey during Tet 2026, Laos offers a slow-paced, tranquil, and refreshingly different way to welcome the new year.
VISITING XIENG THONG TEMPLE - A SACRED ANCIENT TEMPLE IN LUANG PRABANG, LAOS
After an afternoon rain, Xieng Thong Temple appears calmer and more defined than usual. Without harsh sunlight or large crowds, this ancient temple of Luang Prabang reveals its architecture, setting, and spiritual value carefully preserved for centuries. A slower perspective that helps explain why Xieng Thong is not merely a tourist attraction, but a living memory of Lao Buddhism.
INSIDE THANH DA HOUSING ESTATE - A TIME-FADED SLICE OF OLD SAIGON
With a history spanning more than half a century, Thanh Da Housing Estate is an enduring fragment of Ho Chi Minh City’s urban memory. Located entirely on the Thanh Da (Binh Quoi) Peninsula and surrounded on three sides by the Saigon River, the estate carries a quiet, time-worn beauty, its apartment blocks softened by moss and age.
NGOC LANG VEGETABLE VILLAGE – A SERENELY PEACEFUL GREEN GEM OF PHU YEN OLD
Nestled beside the Da Dien River, Ngoc Lang Vegetable Village is a quiet green stretch on the outskirts of Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen (formerly). Free from noise and showiness, the village preserves the slow rhythm of a traditional vegetable-farming community, where people remain deeply connected to the land through simple, everyday work.
CHAM VILLAGES IN AN GIANG - WHERE SKILLED HANDS KEEP THE FLAME OF BROCADE WEAVING ALIVE
In An Giang, where the cool waters of the Hau River meet the Chau Doc River, Cham villages have existed quietly for generations. Unassuming and unshowy, life here flows slowly, much like the river in front of each home. Within this gentle rhythm, one tradition has been steadfastly preserved over time: the art of brocade weaving, passed down through the hands of Cham women.
A SCENIC VISIT TO HUONG PAGODA - A RENOWNED SPIRITUAL COMPLEX EACH SPRING
Every Lunar New Year, Huong Pagoda is one of the most popular spiritual destinations in northern Vietnam. Beyond pilgrimage and early-year prayers, Huong Pagoda is a unique cultural and scenic complex where mountains, waterways, and belief intertwine - creating a contemplative journey deeply rooted in northern Vietnamese identity.
A JOURNEY THROUGH BA VI - DISCOVERING THE SPIRIT OF NORTHERN COMMUNAL HOUSES AND TEMPLES
Ba Vi is more than mountains and winding roads. Scattered across this land are ancient communal houses and temples that have endured for centuries. Moss-covered roofs and carved wooden pillars emerge as fragments of Northern Vietnam’s cultural memory in tranquil settings.
THIS SPRING, LET’S VISIT THAY PAGODA – A NEARLY 1,000-YEAR-OLD MASTERPIECE
Not located in the heart of the bustling city, nor close to noisy urban centers, Thay Pagoda chooses a quiet setting at the foot of Sai Son Mountain. It is close enough for a day trip, yet far enough to gently pull visitors away from the hurried rhythm of city life.
GETTING LOST AT SONGQIAO NIGHT MARKET, KUNMING - A COLORFUL PARADISE OF STREET FOOD
To truly experience Kunming’s nightlife, Songqiao Night Market is a destination you shouldn’t miss. Located in the heart of the city, the market comes alive with glowing lights, the aroma of food drifting through the air, and the cheerful hum of conversation. It’s a place where anyone can effortlessly immerse themselves in a vibrant, approachable, and colorful Kunming after dark.
A QUIET MORNING IN DONGXING - THE BORDER CITY BETWEEN VIETNAM AND CHINA
In the early morning, standing in the middle of an empty boulevard, Dongxing looks like a freshly built stage waiting for its first performer. High-rise buildings still cast reflections on the spotless road. Only the soft, chilly breeze from the Beilun River reminds you that this city has two rhythms: the bustling tempo of daytime, and the rare silence of dawn.
VIETNAMESE MARKETS - WHERE THE LIFE OF EACH REGION REVEALS ITSELF MOST CLEARLY
Vietnamese markets are not merely places of trade; they are the clearest reflections of local life, daily rhythms, and regional character - from river deltas and waterways to coastal shores.
THE CLAM-RAKING TRADE – WEATHERED BY SEA WINDS, BURDENED BY LIVELIHOOD
The clam-raking trade in Can Gio carries the salty taste of the sea and the hardship of coastal laborers. Join MLifeOn as we explore an authentic slice of life on the tidal flats tough, rugged, yet filled with resilience and quiet strength.
HU TIEU – A "FREE-SPIRITED" DELICACY FROM THE SOUTHERN LAND
The broth of Hu tieu carries the sweetness of pork bones and seafood, enriched with the aroma of fried garlic. Shrimp, meat, quail eggs, heart, liver - even fish and squid - can all appear in one bowl. Calling Hu tieu a “free-spirited” dish is no exaggeration. It’s a true Southern region “specialty” and there’s no place quite like it!