In the heart of downtown District 1, just a short walk away from some of Saigon’s other famous sights such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Post Office, Reunification Palace sits as a time capsule of the city’s past surrounded by green lawns and iron fences. Formerly known as the Independence Palace, the Reunification … read the full post

One could argue that all of Hanoi’s streets are food streets, in that it’s hard to find any that don’t have at least one vendor selling pho or banh my or any of the other delicious street foods on offer here. But two things make so-called “food street” different and worthy of its name: firstly, … read the full post

Most travellers visiting Saigon stick only to the main points of interest in the city’s downtown District 1, but just a short taxi ride outside of District 1 lays one of HCMC’s most interesting areas: Cholon, or Chinatown. If you’re in Saigon, and have the time to spare, spending a day in Cholon is worthwhile. … read the full post

With a bright yellow and red sign and windows adorned with travel offers, the exterior of Camellia Hotel 6 has nothing to differentiate it from the countless other budget hotels in the area, but it’s an expat and traveller favourite for good reason. Located down a vibrant alley off Dinh Liet, a few minutes’ walk … read the full post

Just over 400 kilometres away from Ho Chi Minh City, the beach town of Nha Trang makes for a great spot to grab a beach chair and soak up some sun. If you’re looking for a Saigon getaway here are your best ways to get there. If you’re in a time crunch, or you’re off … read the full post

Restaurant Cha Ca La Vong recently featured in the New York Times in an article that talked about how variants of the same-named dish — a mixture of fish, turmeric, dill, shrimp paste, fish sauce, chillies, noodles and other herbs — are appearing on menus in the United States. Author Florence Fabricant notes that, despite … read the full post

It’s lotus flower season in Hanoi and the West Lake area is awash with the beautiful blooms. Lotus flowers hold particular significance in Vietnam, as they are considered one of four graceful flowers and plants, along with pine, bamboo and chrysanthemum. They are a symbol of purity, commitment, optimism for the future, beauty, majesty, grace, … read the full post

Delicious Wines opened a few months ago on Tong Duy Tan, alternatively known as food street, and is run by the same people who own Matchbox by the Fine Arts Museum. As a brand consultant, when someone names their new wine shop/wine bar something like “Delicious Wines”, I immediately doubt their promise; after all, if … read the full post

A trip to Saigon, or Vietnam for that matter, isn’t complete until you sit down for a bowl of the famous pho. Although plenty of restaurants in Saigon serve pho, you may find the best bowl right on the side of the street. Pho may seem like a simple dish of rice noodles and meat, … read the full post

Centrally located in Old Quarter, Essence Hanoi stands out along Ta Hien with its white frontage, stylish signage and uniformed doorman, which all hint at the quality within. Essence is within easy reach of the delights of the 36 streets as well as Hoan Kiem lake and the French Quarter. It’s also easy to pick … read the full post