At 80 kilometres northwest of Hanoi, Tam Dao hill station makes for a good overnight or one-day respite from the chaos of the Vietnamese capital. You can get to the cooler area, where there are plenty of hiking trails and pretty scenery, by bus, motorbike, taxi or private car; here’s a little about how to … read the full post

You don’t have to head north from Saigon to enjoy quality renditions of specialty dishes from that region, as proper northern establishments have set up shop in the big city down south. One such joint is Quan Nem, a restaurant specialising in the crispy, northern crab spring roll nem cua be. Occupying a two-floor building, … read the full post

If like me you were once one of those neanderthals where the best nights out you ever had somehow always ended up at a kebab stall then you will thank me for this heads up on late-night food snacking in Hoi An. I’ve researched this article with perhaps a little too much enthusiasm after taking … read the full post

Purchasing a SIM card is a top priority for many visitors on arrival in HCMC. While the cards are readily available, prices and options can vary wildly and many sellers have set themselves up to take advantage of the less than savvy travellers. If you can manage to steer clear of purchasing an overpriced SIM … read the full post

If you need a break from the chaos of Old Quarter, wander down to Hanoi’s French Quarter, where wide open streets, majestic buildings and high-end hotels, restaurants and shops await. Hanoi’s French Quarter lies to the southeast of Hoan Kiem lake. In the late 19th century, when the French occupied Hanoi, they demolished many of … read the full post

Google “best banh mi in Vietnam” and the answer you get is Banh Mi Phuong in Hoi An; go there and I promise you will be met by a random tourist saying “I’ve travelled all the way from Australia/the UK/Finland for this.” Phuong’s little banh mi shop near the Cam Nam Bridge has been on … read the full post

Pulling up outside the cheery blue three-storey family home Vesper Homestay with its windows flung open to views of far flung paddy is reward enough for the amount of trouble you will have finding this place. If you were looking for off the beaten path then you’ve come to the right place: Vesper is right … read the full post

With an easy to find, prominent location on the busy street of Bui Vien in Saigon’s backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao, An An Hotel is one of the better choices in the immediate area for flashpackers searching for that needle in a haystack of low-end guesthouses, hostels and dodgy hotels. A tall turquoise and … read the full post

Hidden away down a sidestreet in Saigon’s Phu Nhuan district, Com Tam Ba Ghien is known far and wide for their specialty com tam suon, or a pork chop served over broken rice. About a 20-minute taxi ride out of downtown, eating at this street spot will require you to overlook some grungy conditions, with … read the full post

If you love street food but want to try something other than pho and bun cha for lunch in Hanoi, head down to Ngo Trang Tien near the Opera House for an enticing array of goodies. Ngo Trang Tien is a narrow street running between Nguyen Khac Can and Phan Chu Trinh, to the south … read the full post