A couple of music events are set to be staged over the next few weeks that I thought were worth a mention. First off, Hanoi’s established Club for Arts and Music Appreciation (C.A.M.A.) is bringing Bangkok’s ”Supabad” to town for a show on May 7. Supabad is a 10-piece big band formed in 2008 by a group of … read the full post

The Cu Chi tunnels are a site worth seeing if you are visiting Saigon. However, since they are roughly 70km round trip from the city centre, visiting them on a tour can take the majority of a day. When time in the city is limited they may seem unreachable, but fear not: you can get … read the full post

Wearing a helmet on a motorbike has been law in Vietnam since 2007. This applies to drivers and passengers over the age of six. Officials estimate that about 90% or riders now comply with this law and, given they save lives, you’d be daft not to wear one too. If you hire a bike it should come … read the full post

Taxis in Saigon are easy to find and cheap to ride, but they can be a trap for the unknowing tourist. Here are a few tricks of the trade for you to know about the Saigon taxi business. Choosing the right taxi company is very important and will save you money. I stick to Vinasun … read the full post

If you’re travelling extends beyond SE Asia and into India, you can sort out a 6 month visa for India in Hanoi. Yes, 6 months – single or multiple entry. I was surprised. As an aside, if you want to stay longer than 6 months it looks like you have to leave the country for 2 … read the full post

For most nationalities, 30-day tourist visas for Laos are available on arrival at airports and most land crossings. At the airports, at least, it’s a straightforward and relatively quick process — fill in a form, provide one passport photo, pay your fee and it’s done — but if you’re travelling through a lesser used border or just like to be … read the full post

The Vietnamese Women’s Museum was closed for some time for extensive renovations but opened again recently. It’s well worth a visit for anyone interested in women’s studies or the culture of Vietnam: it gives a broad insight into Vietnam’s population, including its 54 ethnic groups, addressed through a lens of women’s issues. The positive impression … read the full post

In many countries it’s illegal, but when you’re just talking iced tea and sugar cane juice, drinking on the pavement or in the park is the thing to do. Throughout Hanoi the streets — and parks — are alive with food and drink stalls, waiting for those seeking quick refreshment or those wanting to chew … read the full post

Neatly groomed hair might not be a priority when backpacking, but most of us need a haircut once in a while. So where’s a good place to get a haircut in Hanoi? Plenty of options for men The most interesting option is to stop at one of the roadside barbers scattered throughout town. I’ve not … read the full post

Strolling past Saigon’s numerous street food vendors will make most travellers hungry, but the problem is most of us wonder: what the heck are they making? Today I’ll tell you about one of my personal favourites, a food eaten in Vietnam for breakfast, lunch and dinner: banh cuon (pronounced: bon-koo-on). Looking at a prepared plate … read the full post