Son Tinh campsite, 40km from Hanoi’s centre (but still technically in Hanoi), provides a peaceful retreat from the capital’s maddening crowds. It had received favourable reviews — especially from families — since its opening earlier this year so we took a trip out to check it out. We went by motorbike which worked out well: the … read the full post

If you are anything like me when you travel you always tend to be in a hurry, trying to check all of the sights off your to-do list. It can get especially bad here because Ho Chi Minh City is such a fast-paced place. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of neon … read the full post

Ever wanted a private poetry reading? You know you have, oh most clever Travelfish.org reader in Hanoi … As luck would have it, the Hanoi Writers’ Collective is staging a seductive-sounding literary and musical event on Saturday June 4 at to raise money for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking via the Centre for … read the full post

I’m a karaoke fan. I have been since I was younger and partook of the Western variety: pub, lots of people, get drunk, write your name down and hope no-one boos. Fortunately my boyfriend is also a fan and will rave about the time in Tallin on a stag do when he got the whole … read the full post

Shopping and bargaining in markets is one of my favourite pastimes in Saigon. Here are my pointers for hunting down good deals and to make sure you don’t offend anyone. First, if you are looking for good deals at markets, early morning may not be the best time to shop. Many proprietors believe that if … read the full post

Chica Restaurant, centrally located on Hang Be Street, is a too-well kept secret; meaning that despite the good food, the great setting and the friendly staff it’s usually almost empty. I first visited on my birthday last year, having had a craving for steak and hearing that their steak and wine night was a great … read the full post

Ho Chi Minh City is quite safe for cities of comparable size. Very few violent acts have been reported against foreigners, but it can still be dangerous to walk around flaunting your wealth. Here are a few commonsense steps you can take to ensure your safety while in Saigon. First, be cautious of wearing jewellery. … read the full post

When it was suggested that I write about a special place to eat in Hoi An, the virtuous side of me thought, “I really can’t afford to research that one” while the naughty, gourmet side of me said, “Yippee!”. That side normally wins, and hence I found myself scouring reviews to find a suitable venue to … read the full post

When a visiting friend whipped out her guidebook, together we stumbled upon what sounded like a magical way to spend an afternoon in Saigon: getting a blind massage. This was something a bit different from other things to do in the city; billed as a budget friendly ‘no nonsense’ spa, it sounded great and I … read the full post

Vietnam’s favourite dish, pho, takes its name from the type of noodle that is used in its preparation, and this noodle is used in numerous other dishes. I’ve recently moved to a new apartment and find myself living in the epicentre of pho-land: within a few minutes’ walk I pass half a dozen restaurants selling … read the full post