COMMENT: Paul Thomas is from a remarkable family of eight boys and three girls. All eight boys served in the New Zealand army. Five saw active duty.

The sole survivor of a horrific plane crash which killed 29 people has revealed how she clung to life in the jungle for a hellish week.

Man sought over alleged gold fraud has flown to Vietnam, say police.

Hoi An is well known for two things - its unique heritage-listed town centre, Hoi An Ancient Town, and its cheap tailoring services.

With a six hour stopover in Hanoi, is it worth leaving the airport?

Fewer people have seen inside this incredible place than have reached Everest's summit.

Veteran Robert Davies says the failure to repatriate soldiers from non-commonwealth war cemeteries in Malaysia is a "a blight on the honour of this country".

Vietnamese authorities are now allowing access to the Long Tan cross for today's anniversary commemorations.

There's an uneasy alliance between humans and long-tailed macaques, discovers Jonathan Killick.

For our arrival in Ho Chi Minh City there was a Maori powhiri, which certainly went down well with the locals.

When I'm asked to complete a well-being questionnaire a day before setting off on holiday, I put a big cross over an angry-looking face, indicating five out of five for my stress level.

By the end of my Contiki tour of Vietnam, it felt like I'd been on the road for weeks - but now that I'm back in the office, it's like a blink of the eye.

With its old mustard coloured buildings, multitudes of lanterns, bicycles and happy looking dogs, Hoi An is definitely our cutest stop yet.

As flames started to lick the front deck of the burning cruise ship New Zealand woman Cathy Kewish knew there was no other choice but to jump for her life into the water.

The Aphrodite Cruise ship, carrying 37 tourists from at least seven different countries, including New Zealand, caught fire while docked in Ha Long Bay.

Eli Orzessek reports from Contiki's Vietnam Highlights tour.

A passenger from Vietnam arrived in NZ with live Siamese fighting fish in plastic bags, declaring them as "wet fish" on his arrival forms.

I'd been warned about the intense traffic in Vietnam when I had trouble crossing the streets in Taiwan.

Hanoi's old quarter is brimming with life. A steady stream of motorcycles whizz by as we weave through the dense crowd of shoppers along Hang Dao.

Villas are scattered over undulating hill slopes, offering garden and ocean views.

Ahead of the signing of the TPP, Vietnamese business and trade leaders and exploring trade opportunities in New Zealand.

A note on the actual seat: Vietnamese silk cushions were a lovely touch.

Our day-trip dollars become micro-loans to empower rural women, writes Naomi Estall.

A son of Vietnamese "boat people" to New Zealand is running three half marathons to fundraise and highlight the plight of refugees.

John Key's programme in Hanoi yesterday reflects the complexity of the country. In the morning it was a visit to the Vin empire of Vietnam's first and only billionaire, Pham Nhat Vuong, and in the afternoon he was off to meet the communists.

John Key is in Vietnam meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, launching what he calls "a new era in bilateral relations".

Airline will be flying three times a week to Ho Chi Minh City.

Country is growing in popularity for Kiwi travellers.

Halong Bay's famed islands are well explored from a kayak, writes Neda Vanovac.

Ho Chi Minh City has a great craft ale scene, says Vietnam beer vet Brett Atkinson.