Travelfish correspondent Angela Schonberg

Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Angela, the daughter of a fisherman and an astronomer, grew up on a nice stretch of land just north of Seattle, Washington. A well-mannered young woman, she excels at being on time and bartering. When she isn’t trying to solve the Millennium Prize Problems, she’s tweeting at @AngelaSchonberg and sharing her traveling adventures on the Internet.
Website: http://www.angelaschonberg.com/

Posts by Angela Schonberg:

• Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes

  First published: 22 Aug 2011
  

  There’s nothing like a good holiday to shake you out of your rainy season blues and luckily for the Saigonese we get just that. Mid-Autumn Festival, Tet Trung Thu, the celebration of the fall equinox, occurs on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, or somewhere between September and early October … read the full post

• Saigon tailors

  First published: 18 Aug 2011
  

  When I travel I pack light. This helps me breeze through airports and carry fewer pieces of luggage up the stairs in my elevator-less hostel. But packing light has its drawbacks, and sometimes I don’t have room for all the outfits I may need, say for a fun night out or a fancy dinner. That’s … read the full post

• Saigon street food: Banh trang nuong

  First published: 15 Aug 2011
  

  Something that I particularly love about Saigon is the fact it is a very walkable city.  As you meander through town on your tour of the various sites you may work up an appetite, but you don’t always want to stop for a proper meal. If you’re looking for quick food on the go, stop … read the full post

• YKC spa & hair salon

  First published: 10 Aug 2011
  

  Saigon boasts several salons throughout the city, offering a wide range of services, prices, and quality. My favourite, only a 10-minute taxi or xe om ride away from the heart of downtown on the busy street of Dien Bien Phu, is YKC in District 3. I go here for all my hair, nail, and facial … read the full post

• Saigon street food: Banh bao

  First published: 08 Aug 2011
  

  When I first arrived in Ho Chi Minh City the many varieties of street food fascinated me, but none more so than banh bao, which to me looked more like big Chinese dumplings than something Vietnamese. Banh bao, not to be confused with the also popular banh mi, actually do have Chinese roots, being introduced to … read the full post

• Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden

  First published: 04 Aug 2011
  

  Established in 1864, making it one of the oldest zoos in world, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is one of the best and largest recreational areas in Saigon. Known as Thao Cam Vien locally, it is home to more than 500 animals of more than 100 species and more than 1,800 trees and plants … read the full post

• Saigon’s Cuc Gach Quan restaurant

  First published: 02 Aug 2011
  

  Hidden down a Saigon back road in a part of District 1 that is more District 3, especially if you’re in Pham Ngu Lao, resides one of the more popular Vietnamese restaurants in the city. Cuc Gach Quan, located at 10 Dang Tat in an easy-to-miss building, is developing a great reputation for serving delicious … read the full post

• Christ of Vung Tau

  First published: 27 Jul 2011
  

  A 90-minute hydrofoil ferry ride or three-hour motorbike drive from downtown Saigon, Vung Tau is a decent place to relax and unwind for a local city dweller; the average tourist on the other hand may find the city disappointing, as the beach is not nearly as nice as those you’ll find in other areas of … read the full post

• Saigon’s Monkey Island

  First published: 25 Jul 2011
  

  Roughly 60km from the centre of Saigon — a beautiful two-hour trip by motorbike and ferry away — sits Can Gio, an island formed where the Saigon River hits the sea. Over the last few years this island has become a popular getaway day trip for savvy locals. Tourists to Can Gio don’t come for … read the full post

• Cu Chi cricket farm

  First published: 21 Jul 2011
  

  A trip to Ho Chi Minh City isn’t complete without a quick visit to the Cu Chi district, where the city’s big buildings melt away and morph into rural countryside. While the area is most famous for its tunnels and war history, Cu Chi has something else worth a visit: a Cu Chi cricket farm. … read the full post