Travel in city Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, is a sea of high-rises and non-stop activity. Not to be upstaged by the skyscrapers, a motley of pagodas, art museums, and French-era landmarks bear witness to the city’s eventful history. One day downtown will throw up hours worth of conversation over ​com tam and bun bo.

Here at the TPG, we are always looking for ways to earn as many points and miles as possible — sometimes in more extreme ways than others.

February is the perfect time to book a last-minute getaway or get ahead on planning your spring break trip. This month, there are tons of amazing travel deals to take advantage of, whether you're seeking a warm island vacay or an exhilarating ski weekend. Book a trip with Exoticca and see savings of up to 50% off on tours in gorgeous countries around the world. Wave season is still in effect, so don't miss out on major cruise deals—like Celebrity Cruises' savings of up to 75% off on cruise fares for the second guests in a duo, on top of free room upgrades. There are only a couple of days before Valentine's Day, and if you're looking to impress a special someone this year, plan a spontaneous Valentine's Day staycation through Marriott at one of our readers' favorite hotels across the country. Plus, some of these Valentine's Day deals run past February 14. When it comes to these amazing February travel deals, you simply can’t lose.

A day after Christmas, I started the final stretch of the SAS EuroBonus million-point challenge, where I would end up taking 20 flights on 16 different SkyTeam airlines over the course of 25 days in order to nab 1 million SAS EuroBonus points.

It was a hot afternoon in Ho Chi Minh City. I was sitting on the edge of the hotel bed, scrolling through Instagram, about to go ham on a piping hot bowl of phở when I got a buzz. A text from my then-husband flashing six words nobody wants to read: "I think we need to talk."

January brings new beginnings—and new deals—to the travel world. We're seeing the unveiling of new cruise routes, new restaurants, and note-worthy hotel openings—plus an influx of new discounts and promotions across the board. This month the deals spread far and wide, from 60% off group trips to South Africa to discounted rates to the Maldives; there is something out there for every type of traveler. Plus, Wave Season has just started so you can save up to 30% off on tons of cruise deals.

This is part of the “Places That Changed Us” series, a compilation of 20 trips that have had a lasting impact on the Matador Network team. To see the other 19 places, click here.

Like most travelers, I’m determined to maximize my vacation days in 2025. The key to making the most of your paid time off—whether you’re hoping to plan lengthy bucket-list trips or are looking to ramp up your weekend getaways—is being strategic about which days you request vacation. It’s a common hack: To smartly link your PTO with holidays and office closures, which allows for more overall time out of office. Effectively, you get more vacation from the same number of vacation days.

Dec 25, 2024 • 9 min read

December is one of the most popular months to travel during the year, from holidays spent with families to one-of-a-kind New Year's Eve celebrations—there are a ton of magical travel moments to be had. After Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday (oh my), you might think that the deals would be over until next year—on the contrary, many brands are offering end-of-year discounts so you can start 2025 on a high note.

In March 2023, Tim Wong and Andrew Q. Tran took an impactful trip to Asia: The Bay Area-based couple, who began dating in 2020 after meeting through Andrew’s sister, attended a friend’s destination wedding on Balesin Island in the Philippines and went on to visit South Korea and Japan. Tim proposed to Andrew in Osaka, and then Andrew proposed back, at their next stop in Nara. The pair had dinner with their newlywed pals once they’d all returned to the US, and it didn’t take long for Tim and Andrew to become convinced they needed to have a destination wedding, too.

The best river cruises have always had a certain mystique that draws travelers from far and wide—even those who are new to cruising. For history buffs, they could be an excellent way to visit ancient sites or historical landmarks. For those that love the outdoors, river sailings are a way to experience the natural landscape of popular destinations that you might otherwise not get to see. With limited space onboard, river cruises often book up well in advance—so consider booking these once-in-a-lifetime voyages as early as you can.

Determining the best places to go in 2025 was no easy task. After all, most of our readers suffer from the same affliction we do: an insatiable desire to go everywhere, see everything, and be dazzled by the world’s rich and varied contours. Treating a new year as a blank slate for fresh adventures is overwhelming then, no matter how tattered our passports.

The best time to visit Vietnam—one of two fabulous Southeast Asian countries that ranked in the top 10 list of best countries in the world according to Condé Nast Traveler readers—is whenever it (probably) won't rain. Vietnam is a study in bustling street scenes in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, beautiful natural destinations like Hạ Long Bay, and beaches where you can unwind or party the night away. As such, you'll want the weather to cooperate, no matter which part of the long, coastal nation you end up visiting. To get the inside scoop on the best time to visit Vietnam, I spoke to two of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists: Tisha Neufville of Neufville Travel, and Catherine Heald of Remote Lands, both of whom count Vietnam as a country of expertise in their capacity as travel advisors. Here, they break down when to visit, how long to stay, and where to go for your first time.

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. In the US, the leaves begin to change into vibrant hues, pumpkin patches and apple orchards welcome guests, sports seasons start to pick up, and, best of all, there’s a lull in the travel calendar causing prices to drop. One of the most highly anticipated sporting events this season is Formula 1's return to Las Vegas this year. Sin City is gearing up by offering bundle packages that combine race tickets with hotel stays on the strip. For hockey fans, Holston House Nashville is offering 10 percent off bookings and an exciting fan experience at their property. Guests can look forward to a custom jersey, dining credit, and themed cocktails.

Oct 8, 2024 • 9 min read

After nearly a day-and-a-half of flights that took me from Phoenix to Dallas to Tokyo to Ho Chi Minh City, I was exhausted but thrilled to finally reach my destination.

Sep 27, 2024 • 10 min read

Fall is finally here. As we embrace the chillier months, travel brands are already preparing for the upcoming holidays. Just in time for spooky season, Extra Holidays is offering up to 20 percent off resort stays located in cities with Halloween spirit, activities vary from family-friendly to completely frightful—you've been warned. Marriott Bonvoy is having a Fall Flash sale where members can save up to 20 percent off of weekend hotel stays, perfect for those looking for a regenerative staycation or who want to attend an away game this football season.

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