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:

• Hanoi’s 36 streets: Hang Dieu

  First published: 09 Nov 2011
  

  Hang Dieu comprises a strange melee of stores. Running north from the six-way junction at Duong Thanh until it turns into Hang Ga, it sold cigarettes in the 19th Centure and, more recently, leather shoes and sandals. Neither of these wares are in evidence anymore and now I think of it as “bedding street”, in … read the full post

• Bia hoi in Hanoi

  First published: 06 Nov 2011
  

  Bia hoi: fresh and cheap and sometimes half decent, sometimes well… just fresh and cheap. Served straight from the metal kegs into distinct bia hoi glasses, it’s an iconic Vietnamese drink. Most visitors to Hanoi are familiar with International Bia Hoi corner: the junction of Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien and Dinh Liet. When I … read the full post

• War sights in Hanoi

  First published: 01 Nov 2011
  

  A few places in Hanoi worth a visit if you’re interested in its military history

• Hanoi’s 36 streets: Hang Ma and Hang Chieu

  First published: 27 Oct 2011
  

  Our 36 streets series looks at streets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, originally settled by artisan guilds, to see what is produced there today. Coming through the arch of Hanoi’s Old City Gate, the road straight ahead is Hang Chieu. A dozen or so shops have stayed reasonably true to the street’s original wares – Vietnamese grass tatami mats — … read the full post

• Western goodies in Hanoi

  First published: 20 Oct 2011
  

  As I stood at the bar of one of several popular backpacker venues in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon I overheard some customers discussing how they missed cheese and red wine, so I thought a blog about where to buy those goodies from home that you miss while travelling was in order. Of course, wine is … read the full post

• Waxing and nails in Hanoi

  First published: 18 Oct 2011
  

  Here’s one for the ladies — or the hairy, callous-footed gentlemen. When you’ve had enough of attempting to shave your legs while balancing on the toilet seat in your wet-room shower, it’s time for a wax. Fortunately, reasonably priced, good quality waxing is available in Hanoi. My venue of choice is Top Spot on Au … read the full post

• Learning Vietnamese in Hanoi

  First published: 13 Oct 2011
  

  Ask any foreigner in Hanoi, particularly one who’s already tried to learn the language, and you’ll be told how difficult it is to master. Well, not just to master: even to speak more than a few words. I came to Hanoi full of positive expectations: I was top of the class at languages at school, … read the full post

• Markets in Hanoi

  First published: 11 Oct 2011
  

  A few months ago I wrote about Dong Xuan Market, perhaps the best known market to tourists in Hanoi. However, Hanoi’s a city full of markets so there are a lot more worth exploring. Food markets can be found all over town. Despite the growth of the supermarket, most shopping is still conducted at local … read the full post

• A brunch for all budgets in Hanoi

  First published: 07 Oct 2011
  

  Many hotels in Hanoi will include breakfast in the room rate, be this an egg in a bread roll – most common in the cheaper places – or a full breakfast buffet. But what if your hotel doesn’t or you’re just not up early enough? The cheapest option is to eat with the locals and … read the full post

• Hanoi’s 36 streets: Hang Bac and Hang Bo

  First published: 04 Oct 2011
  

  An overview of what can be found on two of the Old Quarter’s 36 streets.