Fine dining restaurant La Verticale has been dishing up French and Vietnamese fusion cuisine from its 1930s villa since 2007. But for those whose wallets don’t stretch that far, founder and award-winning chef, Didieu Corlou, has opened a new venture a few doors away: DC Bistro. DC Bistro, as you’d expect from the name, is … read the full post

I always feel a bit embarrassed saying this, but that bloody Top Gear Vietnam special a few years back was the final nail in the coffin for a comfortable life back in good ol’ Blighty. Seeing the cast struggle with the Hai Van Pass also put achieving it on the top of my must-do list … read the full post

If you want to catch a film while in Hanoi, be it as a break from roaming the streets or drinking coffee and bia hoi, or because a must-see blockbuster has just been launched, a few large cinema complexes are located around the city, such as Megastar at Vincom Tower. While these places offer comfortable … read the full post

The Temple Beach House is luxurious self-catering at its best. Tucked away behind impressive wooden gates nestled between towering white walls abundant with vivid pink bougainvillea and surrounded by gardens, right on its own slice of the delicious An Bang Beach in Hoi An, the place is a real find. The beachfront garden hugs the … read the full post

Ben Thanh Market is one of Saigon’s icons and forms the heart of downtown District 1, bustling with activity from early morning until late at night. The market has existed for quite some time in one fashion or another. The current location, renovated in 1985, was the site of another relocated market, called Les Halles … read the full post

After an evening stroll through the old town its fairly likely that you’ll fall in love with the iconic Hoi An silk lanterns that set an ambient glow outside every restaurant, tailor shop and hotel; if that doesn’t get you, then a quick glimpse in the direction of the night market will. And just like … read the full post

Down a narrow alley, hidden behind a market in Saigon’s backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao, Phan Anh Hostel is a top example of a new wave of HCMC budget lodgings and is worth considering if you’re after a cheap bed but aren’t too fussed about socialising with other travellers. A little hard to find … read the full post

Although it doesn’t quite live up to the name, Impressive Hotel, near Hanoi’s St Joseph’s Cathedral, is still a very good option for the midrange traveller. Located on Au Trieu Street, a quiet narrow road that runs between Ly Quoc Su and Phu Doan, Impressive Hotel is in the more chic area of Old Quarter, with a number of midrange … read the full post

On the 14th day of every lunar month, the old town of Hoi An switches off its lights and closes to motorised traffic, the old town is transformed by flickering candlelight, multi-coloured lanterns and hoards of visitors who’ve come to see the full moon lantern festival. For the locals the night of the full moon … read the full post

A quick walk through Saigon’s backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao will lead you past several locations selling tours. While most feature longer tours to popular areas around the city, like tours of the Mekong Delta and the Cu Chi Tunnels, most also sell a generic five-hour day-tour of Ho Chi Minh City. If you … read the full post