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:

• Teaching English in Hanoi: Part 1

  First published: 03 Jan 2012
  

  If you’re planning on doing more than just passing through Hanoi, you may have considered teaching English as a foreign language as a way to fund your time here. There’s certainly an opportunity to do that, but you do need to come prepared. Firstly, you should be prepared in terms of training. While it is … read the full post

• Where to buy classy souvenirs in Hanoi

  First published: 30 Dec 2011
  

  While the standard Hanoi souvenirs available all over Old Quarter offer plenty of options for take home pressies for pals, if you want something more special, or just want to avoid the haggling and trooping around, Hanoi also offers some good little shopping spots. Tan My Design on Hang Gai is one of the most … read the full post

• Dong Xuan night market

  First published: 23 Dec 2011
  

  I have a confession to make: it’s taken me nearly two years to get round to fully exploring Hanoi‘s Dong Xuan night market. I’ve wandered in half-heartedly before but never have I explored the depths of its wonder. But now all that has changed. The night market runs along Hang Ngang and Dong Xuan streets, … read the full post

• December getaways: Hanoi to Sapa

  First published: 19 Dec 2011
  

  If you end up in Hanoi at Christmas but don’t want a city-based festive season, what are your options? With no good beaches within easy travelling distance – and the weather not likely to be good enough for lazing on a beach anyway — why not go in the opposite direction and head for the … read the full post

• A Christmas day in Hanoi

  First published: 14 Dec 2011
  

  Despite Christmas not being traditionally celebrated in Vietnam, the Christmas spirit has certainly arrived this year, with decorations proudly lacing many an office and apartment building. I celebrated early on Saturday, as I’ll be in the UK over Christmas this year: Santa hats and decorations were purchased on Hang Ma, Secret Santa (anonymous) gifts were … read the full post

• Hanoi’s villages: Bang So (Bamboo village)

  First published: 08 Dec 2011
  

  In the past, villagers in Vietnam tended to specialise in making particular items to meet their needs, sharing their skills with neighbours and relatives. This led to individual villages becoming known for a particular handicraft. As people moved to the cities they gravitated towards others with the same trade and hence we have areas such … read the full post

• How cold does it really get in Hanoi?

  First published: 06 Dec 2011
  

  With the temperature dropping notably over the last week and my friend calling me this morning to ask where she could buy a heater, I thought it was an appropriate time to comment on the frequently asked question: “How cold does it get in Hanoi?“. We arrived in Hanoi at the end of January 2010 … read the full post

• Biking Hoi An

  First published: 02 Dec 2011
  

  Renting a bicycle has always been a good way to explore Hoi An and its surrounds: it’s cheap, they’re never banned from the streets (other vehicles are forbidden at various times of the day), they provide a lot of freedom and you get to feel like you’re compensating for that last portion of wontons. I spent … read the full post

• Hanoi street food: Bun ca, bun oc and banh tom

  First published: 29 Nov 2011
  

  I’ve recently moved to a new office next to West Lake and near to the Tay Ho temple. Whereas I was previously eating pho cuon for lunch, the local Hanoi dishes here are bun ca, bun oc and banh tom. Bun ca is prepared with bun noodles, the same round white rice noodles served with bun cha, but … read the full post

• Cooking classes in Hoi An

  First published: 24 Nov 2011
  

  Advice on things to think about when selecting a cookery course in Hoi An and some recommended places.