You don’t always have to stick to the tourist trail in Vietnam; simply striking out somewhere for the hell of it can be richly rewarding. Bac Kan province is little visited by tourists, although its main point of interest, Ba Be Lake, attracts those looking for natural beauty outside of Ha Long Bay. We took … read the full post

From the outside, the Golden Lotus Hotels look much like any other mid to upper-range place in Hanoi: narrow frontage, gold signs, big-glass doors and a uniformed doorman, but these would be our affordable luxury choice in Hanoi and would suit a couple with a mid-range budget or looking for a treat while in town. … read the full post

Your favourite T-shirt turned pink at the laundrette in Hue, you lost your shorts somewhere between Ko Samui and Bangkok – now, where did they go? – or you’re simply bored of wearing the same tatty clothes day in day out. Sound familiar? With a little knowledge you’ll find some Western-sized clothes in Hanoi, though … read the full post

If you’re looking for good-value, tasty Vietnamese food but the street scene leaves you a bit nervous, air-con Com Pho Co is worth seeking out with its great range of standard Vietnamese dishes, such as light and crispy nem Hue, crunchy papaya salad or heartier aubergine and pork claypot. Although located on non-touristy Nguyen Sieu, … read the full post

After the success of last summer’s weekly Piknic Electronik music event, organisers Synergy Music Production couldn’t resist another season. This year, to beat the heat, a swimming pool is being thrown into the mix – what better way to cool off than with an ice cold drink and a dip while listening to some electronic … read the full post

Com binh dan roughly translates as commoner’s rice and is a popular cheap belly-filler in Vietnam. Com binh dan joints are buffet-like affairs, and are usually identified by a glass case showcasing the day’s selection — as well as the large signs. In Hanoi, the food selection varies from place to place, from day  to … read the full post

Located on the narrow but often busy Duong Ven Ho, which runs along the southern edge of West Lake, Commune has an enviable position overlooking the lake, and, while not the most convenient location, has a lot else going for it besides: good food, WiFi and a relaxed ambiance. Set-up as a joint work/cafe space … read the full post

A search for “Hang Manh” unsurprisingly brings up a raft of sites which mention the well-known bun cha joint at number 1. Well-known it may be, but good value it is no more: the dish under-delivers on flavour and it’s seriously over-priced compared to other bun cha places. Thankfully, there’s a more to Hang Manh … read the full post

May de Ville Backpackers Hostel opened about a year ago and wasn’t shy about it: it’s 10 storeys tall and has a large lit sign on the roof, visible from afar. The name is somewhat deceptive as although it has some features of a backpacker hostel, such as dorm rooms and lounge area, the reception … read the full post

When I wrote about coffee in Hanoi I mentioned cafe sua chua and promised more… I was introduced to cafe sua chua at Cafe Duy Tri, an historic coffee shop located on Pho Yen Phu. Pho Yen Phu is a lively street running north off Duong Thanh Nien (the street that runs between Truc Bach … read the full post