It may not be Glastonbury, Exit or BDO but as far as Hanoi’s concerned, the C.A.M.A. festival is the musical date for diaries. Held at the American Club on May 28, the Festival brings together bands from Vietnam, Australia, America, Thailand (though half the band are British), Japan and China for 10 hours of “full blown musical … read the full post

The Sapa Rooms Hotel in central Sapa is run with a socially responsible philosophy: it is committed to working with, and supporting, local communities. It also recruits staff trained by KOTO, the training and employment centre for street and disadvantaged youth. But its social responsibility is matched by a high quality hotel and restaurant that makes it worth a visit even for … read the full post

I was cycling along Au Trieu today, next to St Joseph’s Cathedral, and was compelled to walk into a shop that I’ve seen before but have never really registered. The shop is called Indigenous and I was drawn in by the shiny packets of coffee. I’m not a coffee drinker but I think Vietnamese coffee makes a … read the full post

A couple of music events are set to be staged over the next few weeks that I thought were worth a mention. First off, Hanoi’s established Club for Arts and Music Appreciation (C.A.M.A.) is bringing Bangkok’s ”Supabad” to town for a show on May 7. Supabad is a 10-piece big band formed in 2008 by a group of … read the full post

Wearing a helmet on a motorbike has been law in Vietnam since 2007. This applies to drivers and passengers over the age of six. Officials estimate that about 90% or riders now comply with this law and, given they save lives, you’d be daft not to wear one too. If you hire a bike it should come … read the full post

The Vietnamese Women’s Museum was closed for some time for extensive renovations but opened again recently. It’s well worth a visit for anyone interested in women’s studies or the culture of Vietnam: it gives a broad insight into Vietnam’s population, including its 54 ethnic groups, addressed through a lens of women’s issues. The positive impression … read the full post

In many countries it’s illegal, but when you’re just talking iced tea and sugar cane juice, drinking on the pavement or in the park is the thing to do. Throughout Hanoi the streets — and parks — are alive with food and drink stalls, waiting for those seeking quick refreshment or those wanting to chew … read the full post

Neatly groomed hair might not be a priority when backpacking, but most of us need a haircut once in a while. So where’s a good place to get a haircut in Hanoi? Plenty of options for men The most interesting option is to stop at one of the roadside barbers scattered throughout town. I’ve not … read the full post

It’s not top of most people’s lists of things to do when coming to Vietnam, but for those seeking a taste of home or just something different to do one evening, the Star Bowl tenpin bowling centre in Hanoi can provide an hour or so of laughs. The set up is exactly as I remember from … read the full post

Matchbox Restaurant used to be a cosy restaurant hidden away on Nui Truc; it was one of those places I always planned to visit but never quite made it to. Then it moved to the grounds of the Fine Arts Museum, upgrading its environment and planting it more firmly in tourist land. The restaurant is now housed in a … read the full post