Since my first cycling trip exploring Hòa Bắc over seven years ago, I have ridden past the villages of An Định, Hội Yên, Nam Yên, Lộc Mỹ, Nam Mỹ, and Phò Nam hundreds of times, continuing all the way up to Tà Lang – Giàn Bí. I have taken thousands of photos and written dozens of articles about the roads …

Once the capital of the Kingdom of a Million Elephants, Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Today, it has become an irresistible destination for backpackers eager to explore new lands with unique cultures. Those who have visited Luang Prabang once often long for the day they can return to this ancient capital along the Mekong …

QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, I appreciate your insights on the following matter: Can a Letter of Credit (LC) be subject to both the laws of a specific country and the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP)? Best regards, Zeev ANSWER Dear Zeev, In my 35  years of experience in trade finance, I have yet to come across …

I have often braved the steep, grueling slopes—some with inclines exceeding 20%—on the Sơn Trà Peninsula to visit the ancient Tiên Sa Lighthouse, a challenging check-in spot for many cycling enthusiasts. Perched at an altitude of 223 meters above sea level, with a vast primeval forest on one side and the endless blue ocean on the other, Tiên Sa Lighthouse …

On the north-south highway, when descending the Hải Vân Pass towards the south, travelers can spot a small forest surrounded by golden-brown rocky cliffs glistening under the sun. From one angle, the forest resembles a phoenix spreading its wings over the sea; from another, it looks like an ancient, million-year-old turtle. This is the Nam Ô Forbidden Forest, steeped in …

Six years ago, I attempted to reach an abandoned village hidden along a deserted beach by carrying my bicycle down from the Hai Van Pass. This village was once a refuge for people suffering from leprosy. However, I was disappointed—I lacked the strength and courage to navigate the jagged cliffs jutting into the sea, where waves relentlessly crashed against the …

Located about 35 km west of Da Nang city center, the Million-Year Rock Field  sits at the confluence of the Nam and Bac rivers, which form the Cu De River. Nestled in Ta Lang village, Hoa Bac commune, Hoa Vang district, this breathtaking natural wonder will leave you in awe with its mesmerizing beauty. This stunning landscape is a true …

Mr. Old Man borrows the title of the song Cô Đơn Trên Sofa (Lonely on the Sofa) to talk about Trần Mai, the female cyclist taking on the Monkey Mountain Challenge 2025. However, unlike Hồ Ngọc Hà’s song, where loneliness stems from a broken heart, Trần Mai is “lonely” because she dominates the Vietnam mountain climbing leaderboard, leaving all other …

Already owning a road bike, a mountain bike, and a touring bike, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by those charming folding bikes I often saw around town. The idea of having one to casually ride around the city for coffee meetups or conveniently store in my car for spontaneous trips sounded incredibly appealing. However, choosing the right folding bike …

Trúc Lâm Bạch Mã Zen Monastery is perched atop Linh Sơn Mountain, nestled within the tranquil waters of Tỉnh Giác Lake in Truồi, located in Lộc Hòa Commune, Phú Lộc District, Thừa Thiên Huế Province. It is the first Zen monastery in Central Vietnam, founded and developed by Zen Master Thích Thanh Từ, the head of the Trúc Lâm Zen …