This time a month ago there was only one place to stay on An Bang Beach in Hoi An; now there are six, and three of those make up An Bang Seaside Village, which has been very quirkily styled around the pretty Vietnamese fisher-family houses located along the beach. The three houses share a tranquil … read the full post

Your favourite T-shirt turned pink at the laundrette in Hue, you lost your shorts somewhere between Ko Samui and Bangkok – now, where did they go? – or you’re simply bored of wearing the same tatty clothes day in day out. Sound familiar? With a little knowledge you’ll find some Western-sized clothes in Hanoi, though … read the full post

Tucked away down the Ba Le Well Lane on the edge of Hoi An‘s Old Town is Ba Le Well Restaurant. Hugely popular with Hoi An locals, you are more likely to hear it before you see it, and when you see it you will most probably wonder what all the fuss is about, as … read the full post

If you’re looking for good-value, tasty Vietnamese food but the street scene leaves you a bit nervous, air-con Com Pho Co is worth seeking out with its great range of standard Vietnamese dishes, such as light and crispy nem Hue, crunchy papaya salad or heartier aubergine and pork claypot. Although located on non-touristy Nguyen Sieu, … read the full post

If you’re looking for the most memorable way to travel in Central Vietnam you couldn’t choose a more spectacular and local journey than the coast-clinging train route between Da Nang and Hue. Hugging the Hai Van Pass on one side and winding across the rugged cliffs overlooking the East Sea, this four-hour journey not only … read the full post

After the success of last summer’s weekly Piknic Electronik music event, organisers Synergy Music Production couldn’t resist another season. This year, to beat the heat, a swimming pool is being thrown into the mix – what better way to cool off than with an ice cold drink and a dip while listening to some electronic … read the full post

Having computer problems while travelling through a foreign city can be a heartbreaker, taking away both a means of communication and a source of entertainment. While several shops service computers around Ho Chi Minh City, only a few repair Macs. If you’re passing through here and your Apple laptop is on the fritz, here’s where … read the full post

If you want to see the best locations in and around Hoi An you don’t need a tour guide. These three do-it-yourself tours can be done on foot or by bike — I’d definitely recommend a bicycle or motorbike for the last two, as 14 kilometres is a long hike in the searing heat or … read the full post

Sitting tall — very tall — on Pham Ngu Lao, the namesake street of Saigon’s backpacker district, Elios Hotel is one of the area’s few options for those seeking a more traditional, midrange hotel experience. The building is massive compared to the majority of guesthouses and hotels in the area and with a uniformed doorman … read the full post

Com binh dan roughly translates as commoner’s rice and is a popular cheap belly-filler in Vietnam. Com binh dan joints are buffet-like affairs, and are usually identified by a glass case showcasing the day’s selection — as well as the large signs. In Hanoi, the food selection varies from place to place, from day  to … read the full post