Thang Long Royal Citadel in Hanoi was opened to the public quite recently, but once you’ve been you’ll wonder why it was kept under wraps for so long. With attractive, shady gardens, imposing buildings, underground bunkers and numerous historic artifacts, it’s got something for everyone. And it’s free. The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built … read the full post

Bitexco Financial Tower is in a league of its own when it comes to Saigon’s skyline. When the tower first opened, the only way to the higher floors without paying rent was to hit Skydeck, Bitexco’s high-priced 50th floor observation room. Now you have more options, one of which is grabbing a drink at Alto Heli … read the full post

By day a centre for disabled children, by night a buzzing lau restaurant: 66 Pho Duc Chinh, near Truc Bach lake, serves up delicious lau rieu cua: a tasty broth with loads of Vietnamese goodies to throw in. And with the weather a bit chilly in Hanoi, now is the perfect time to enjoy it. … read the full post

Manicured gardens being tended by uniformed staff in pith helmets are perhaps the only clue as to what lies behind the facade of the five-star Pullman Da Nang Beach Resort which was previously known as the Lifestyle Resort located on beautiful Bac My An beach on Vietnam’s most famous coastal stretch. It’s a few kilometres from … read the full post

If there ever were a destination worth throwing away your map for, Hoi An’s old town is the place to do so with gay abandon. For most visitors a wander through town consists of shoving out their elbows and trawling their way up and down the main drag, ticket in hand while muttering “No, I … read the full post

Does The Artisan Boutique Hotel in Hanoi live up to its name and art deco-style business card? First impressions don’t disappoint: the reception area is spacious and stylishly decorated — Tiffany-style lamps always go down well – and the rooms follow through. The hotel was refurbished in 2012, rather than being a new build, and … read the full post

Rice is a Vietnamese staple but many restaurants in HCMC don’t really give it the attention it deserves, serving tired rice dishes seemingly as an afterthought. Although many carts on the street sell rice dishes, and some cheap Vietnamese restaurants focus on a single rice dish, it can be hard to find a restaurant that … read the full post

A tangle of tropical climbers all but envelope the entrance to the aptly named Betel Garden Homestay, where six single-storey, ancient-house styled villas and the Vuon Trau family home go almost unnoticed in a 3,000 square metre tropical garden. Step through the gate, however, and you are met amid the collection of rare areca and … read the full post

Tucked away at the far end of Hoi An’s riverside Bach Dang Street is a labyrinthine network of small alleys that take you into the ‘real’ markets, with only a sprinkling of ye olde tourist tat. This is where serious local customers come to buy everything from a screwdriver to a manicure; it’s a slice … read the full post

One of the bigger buildings in Saigon’s backpacker district of Pham Ngu Lao, the Liberty 4 Hotel is among a small group of midrange accommodation options in an area dominated by smaller guesthouses and hostels. Compared to its neighbours, the extra wide, cream-coloured hotel has well-dressed doormen ready to grab your luggage as soon as … read the full post