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

If you’re looking for the most memorable way to travel in Central Vietnam you couldn’t choose a more spectacular and local journey than the coast-clinging train route between Da Nang and Hue. Hugging the Hai Van Pass on one side and winding across the rugged cliffs overlooking the East Sea, this four-hour journey not only … 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

Having computer problems while travelling through a foreign city can be a heartbreaker, taking away both a means of communication and a source of entertainment. While several shops service computers around Ho Chi Minh City, only a few repair Macs. If you’re passing through here and your Apple laptop is on the fritz, here’s where … read the full post

If you want to see the best locations in and around Hoi An you don’t need a tour guide. These three do-it-yourself tours can be done on foot or by bike — I’d definitely recommend a bicycle or motorbike for the last two, as 14 kilometres is a long hike in the searing heat or … read the full post

Sitting tall — very tall — on Pham Ngu Lao, the namesake street of Saigon’s backpacker district, Elios Hotel is one of the area’s few options for those seeking a more traditional, midrange hotel experience. The building is massive compared to the majority of guesthouses and hotels in the area and with a uniformed doorman … 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

A few years ago market traders and food stalls were pushed out of Hoi An‘s old town in a bid to clean up the streets, leaving traders relocating outside the guarded boundaries of the pedestrian-ised zone. Then the Quang Nam authorities cleared the old central market and provided a new “cleansed zone”, in which a … 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

Down a busy, narrow alley, filled with dozens of other hotels and guesthouses in Saigon’s backpacker district of Pham Ngu Lao, Vy Khanh Guesthouse has quietly become one of the area’s standout places to stay with their reputation for stellar service. At Vy Khanh you will find two types of rooms: 350,000 VND standards and … read the full post