Travelfish correspondent Sarah Turner

Sarah's South East Asia expedition started in 2009, when she packed up her company, home and beloved car and left South West London with her boyfriend and a vague plan to travel and then live in the region. Whilst travelling they both fell in love with Hanoi, and seven months, seven countries, a few scars and more than a few memorable experiences after leaving England they found themselves on a 44 hour journey from Don Dhet back to Vietnam's capital. As well as writing for Travelfish, Sarah runs a design and branding company called Crunchy Frog with her partner and does a bit of English teaching for pocket (massage) money. She also sits on the Community Aid Committee of Hanoi's International Women's Club, helping to distribute funds to local charitable organisations, and spends her free time either indulging her love of food and drink or frenetically exercising to compensate.
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Posts by Sarah Turner:

• Review: Hanoi Moment Hotel 2, Hanoi

  First published: 20 May 2013
  

  We were tempted to check out Hanoi Moment Hotel 2 for two reasons. Firstly, it shares its name with a very enticing gift shop on Hang Gai, and secondly, the large plate glass windows provide a glimpse of what looked like a very stylish interior. The door was opened by a uniformed attendant and we … read the full post

• Review: Saint Honore, Hanoi

  First published: 18 May 2013
  

  Saint Honore is a bakery, deli and restaurant in Hanoi’s West Lake area which offers the best cakes in Hanoi and is an excellent choice for a delicious breakfast, a bistro-style lunch or dinner, or an indulgent afternoon tea. Let’s start with breakfast. If the array of sweet and savoury pastries isn’t enough to tempt you … read the full post

• Tan My Design, Hanoi

  First published: 12 May 2013
  

  Although Tan My Design stocks some of the same traditional items, as its parent Tan My Embroidery, it’s predominantly a showcase for stylish, modern designer items and makes for a unique and calming shopping experience amid the mayhem of the streets of Hanoi. Established in 1969 at 66 Hang Gai, Tan My Embroidery has spanned … read the full post

• Review: Rising Dragon Grand Hotel, Hanoi

  First published: 04 May 2013
  

  From humble beginnings has risen an empire of Old Quarter hotels: Rising Dragon now has seven hotels in Hoan Kiem District, from cheaper Rising Dragon Hotel in Hang Be Street through to the creme de la creme of the dragons, Rising Dragon Palace. Most recently, we checked out midrange Rising Dragon Grand on Hang Ga. … read the full post

• Review: The new Quan An Ngon, Hanoi

  First published: 29 Apr 2013
  

  Quan An Ngon restaurant, on Phan Boi Chau Street, has long been a favourite of visitors to Hanoi. It provides a clean and reasonably comfortable setting in which to sample a range of Vietnamese street food dishes, but it’s often overflowing with customers, necessitating a wait for a table and a crowded and noisy environment. … read the full post

• Photo essay: Wet market tour, Hanoi

  First published: 27 Apr 2013
  

  Despite the growth of supermarkets, wet markets and street markets still play a pivotal role in the supply of groceries to Vietnamese households. Many people, primarily women, visit the market twice a day, working trips around school drop-offs and, for many, their paying jobs. Street market to us — and this may not be everyone’s … read the full post

• Review: The Hanoi Social Club, Hanoi

  First published: 21 Apr 2013
  

  With a relaxed vibe, eclectic decor and wholesome food, The Hanoi Social Club has etched out a unique positioning for itself and is a perfect spot for a tasty lunch, naughty afternoon cake or chill-out with a beer. When a new place opens in Hanoi we give it a while to settle down and to … read the full post

• Review: Hanoi Asia Star Hotel, Hanoi

  First published: 20 Apr 2013
  

  Hanoi Asia Star Hotel, located on Hanoi’s busy Dao Duy Tu Street, is a reasonable value midrange hotel with a almost-too-good-to-be-true Halong Bay special offer. First impression on our visit was that the hotel was well staffed. The reception area was full of activity, with uniformed staff milling around at the door, behind reception and … read the full post

• Hanoi’s 36 streets: Hang Quat

  First published: 15 Apr 2013
  

  Hang Quat is one of the most colourful streets in Old Quarter and its time for coverage in our 36 streets series has now finally come. Quat means fans, and that is of course what was traditionally made on this street, be they from bamboo, paper or palm leaves. Villagers set up shop in the … read the full post

• Asia food tours: Food on Foot

  First published: 14 Apr 2013
  

  For my final street food tour adventure I opted for a budget-priced tour, joining a lunchtime trip with Food on Foot, operated by Vietnam Awesome Travel, with a great guide and plenty of stops. Usually pick-up is at your hotel, but given I haven’t lived in a hotel since first arriving in Hanoi three years … read the full post