I love my iPhone but at first I was unsure whether to bring it to Ho Chi Minh City. Now, I’m glad I did. With free WiFi available all over the city, my iPhone has been very useful and it doesn’t leave my side. Besides its normal, built-in functions of phone calling, checking email, and … read the full post

It’s rainy season in Vietnam, and though this usually just means a downpour late afternoon or overnight and shouldn’t be enough to disrupt schedules, sometimes it does set in and you’ll want something to do in miserable weather. So what to do in Hanoi? Personally, I find curling up on the sofa watching back-to-back episodes of How … read the full post

After a few nights out on the Saigon club scene, you may grow tired of the recycled house beats and ringing in your ears. An alternative? Checking out one of the many live music venues the city has to offer. Live bands, classical music, jazz: Ho Chi Minh has something for everybody. If you’re in … read the full post

An overview of Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi

A staple of the Saigon street food world is banh mi (pronounced bun-mee), or Vietnamese baguette sandwiches. These tasty sandwiches are extremely popular and can be found all over the city, and make a perfect meal on the go if you’re walking around the city. Knowing what to order from a cart, however, can be … read the full post

A review of some of the hostels offering dorm beds in Hanoi

Weather in Ho Chi Minh City comes in two flavours: dry and wet. The wet season sounds like a downer, and brings with it high humidity and daily downpours. But precisely because of the rainy season’s bad reputation, this time of the year can be a great and affordable time to visit if you don’t … read the full post

I’m a walker. When I travel, if there is any reasonable chance for me to walk to my destination, I will. When I walk I feel like I get a better feel for a city, and I see the everyday life that I would miss from the back seat of a taxi. My love of … read the full post

If you’ve managed to walk around Old Quarter in Hanoi and not be accosted by a lady in a conical hat trying to put her shoulder pole, supporting baskets of fruit, on your shoulder for a photo, you’re in the minority. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been approached and have yet to say … read the full post

There are many reasons I recommend visiting Ho Chi Minh City, from the shopping to the traffic it is a place to be experienced. The best reason to come however is to taste the food, the most famous of which is the legendary pho. But finding a great bowl can be tricky if you don’t … read the full post