Lau — pronounced something like ‘low’ — is perhaps one of the most popular dishes in Hanoi, particularly in the cooler months. It’s a similar set up to that seen in other countries in the region (I recall a particularly good experience in the Perhentians): a pan of simmering stock is put on a gas … read the full post

Saigon isn’t the most kid-friendly city in the world. There are certainly lots of kids in the city but very few places seem to cater to them. Most theme parks and water parks in the city, or country for that matter, have dangerous elements. So I was surprised to find a safe and kid-friendly park … read the full post

A couple of upcoming events in Hanoi are worth bringing to your attention: opera, history and art exhibitions. On March 9 and 10, Hanoi Opera House will be home to a German opera night. Conducted by Jonas Alber, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra will perform excerpts from works including Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Beethoven’s Fidelio and … read the full post

I’m trying not to be too repetitive, but I’m pretty much in love with the street food in Saigon. I don’t think I’ve tried many dishes that I wouldn’t want to have on a regular basis; I just can’t get past the mental block for a daily hot vit lon yet. One thing that surprises … read the full post

Tracey Lister, co-owner of Hanoi Cooking Centre, first came to Hanoi in 2000. Hoping to find voluntary work she was rebuffed by NGOs who didn’t “need chefs” but she came anyway, accompanying her husband, Andreas Pohl, who was working on an AusAid project. When she arrived in Hanoi she met Jimmy Pham, founder of Koto … read the full post

Saigon is a city filled with places of worship; it seems that every street has at least one pagoda or church — from the roof of my old house in District 3 I could see at least seven. Most of these spots are nothing particularly special in terms of architectural or historical significance but Saigon … read the full post

If you’ve seen a tent being erected on the pavement in the middle of Hanoi and wondered what on earth is going on, it’s likely that there’s a wedding in the offing. Let me backtrack a little and give you a whistle-stop guide to marriage in Vietnam. To give you a full understanding of the … read the full post

I’ve mentioned before that I think the greatest thing about my city is the food and the best food is usually on the street. Obviously, I talk a lot about street food but honestly I get most of my “street food” from markets. The problem is that besides Ben Thanh Market, and maybe Binh Tay, … read the full post

As a way to bring you an insight plus some useful information about Hanoi, I’ve been interviewing people who can offer different perspectives on the city. Given that travel agents get a lot of negative press, I met with Lai, a travel agent well known and trusted within the expat community. Lai is from a … read the full post

Although Saigon has many forms of transportation, like motorbikes and taxis, one of the most unique ways to travel the city’s streets is by cyclo. You sit in the front, kind of like royalty, and you are peddled to your destination. I would almost say that your trip to Saigon wouldn’t be complete without taking … read the full post