An introduction to the districts in Hanoi that you might want to explore if deciding to live here

A 90-minute hydrofoil ferry ride or three-hour motorbike drive from downtown Saigon, Vung Tau is a decent place to relax and unwind for a local city dweller; the average tourist on the other hand may find the city disappointing, as the beach is not nearly as nice as those you’ll find in other areas of … read the full post

Che (pronounced chair) is a popular Vietnamese dessert or snack found at street stalls around Hanoi. Today we aim to (partly) demystify this unusual delicacy and encourage you to give it a try. First up, find a stall. Che stalls are usually characterised by a glass cabinet housing bowls of colourful … um stuff. Sometimes the … read the full post

Roughly 60km from the centre of Saigon — a beautiful two-hour trip by motorbike and ferry away — sits Can Gio, an island formed where the Saigon River hits the sea. Over the last few years this island has become a popular getaway day trip for savvy locals. Tourists to Can Gio don’t come for … read the full post

A summary of the medical care available in Hanoi

A trip to Ho Chi Minh City isn’t complete without a quick visit to the Cu Chi district, where the city’s big buildings melt away and morph into rural countryside. While the area is most famous for its tunnels and war history, Cu Chi has something else worth a visit: a Cu Chi cricket farm. … read the full post

When you visit a city like Saigon sometimes your initial short stay can become a more permanent re-location. With new apartment buildings being constructed at a breakneck pace, the housing market here has plenty of openings, and most are furnished, making getting set up a rather simple affair. Here are some some tips and some … read the full post

Problems with hiring a self-drive car and the benefits of hiring a car and driver.

The gay scene in Hanoi remains more underground than some other countries in the region, such as Thailand or even Cambodia, but things are slowly changing and gay clubs are going slightly more mainstream these days. The best known gay bar, on the tourist scene at least, is GC Bar. The GC is centrally located … read the full post

An overview of the wonderful 54 Traditions Gallery, where you can view, learn about and buy antiquities, antiques and art from Vietnam’s 53 minorities and the Kinh