Some of the best restaurants in Vietnam are special because they focus on just a single dish. While these spots tend to not occupy the most prestigious locations in town, searching them out is worth your time if you really love to eat well. One case in point: Banh Xeo 46a. Tucked down a tight … read the full post

Where to start with The Hanoi Bicycle Collective? This bicycle shop / rental store / cafe / bar / entertainment venue really does cover all the bases, but my write-up was inspired primarily by the rental opportunity. I’ve written before about biking around West Lake and The Hanoi Bicycle Collection is a great place to … read the full post

Hoi An may very well be most known for its tailors but if you really want to get something designed that’s going to last longer than the first wash then jewellery is a very safe and surprisingly affordable option. Scattered among all the tailors, shoe makers and spas you will find a multitude of tiny … read the full post

HCMC has a fair share of museums giving the city’s, and the Vietnamese government’s, side of its historical story. Here are a handful of museums you’ll find around town which are worth a visit. A little outside of downtown, on the edges of District 3, the War Remnants Museum is probably the most popular of … read the full post

Au Coeur — or The Heart — certainly captures the location of this new hotel on Hang Be street as it’s about as central as you can get to the Old Quarter tourist hub, but does it have one? With comfortable rooms from $40, we think so. Rooms at Au Coeur d’Hanoi Hotel are on … read the full post

Ho Chi Minh, affectionately referred to as Uncle Ho, spent his life fighting for Vietnamese independence and, for this, he is still the country’s most celebrated figure. His images are found nearly everywhere — on signs, in schools, on money and of course it’s the official name of the commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City … read the full post

For a city that’s cold and grey for a few months of the year, Hanoi has an unfortunate lack of venues to get cosy in. But in the absence of open fireplaces and comfy sofas, here are a few places we’ll be spending time this winter. Drinking tea or coffee might be great for warming … read the full post

Perfectly positioned at the furthest end of An Bang beach’s stretch of seaside eateries, The Banyan Bar deservedly pulls in the crowds with alfresco beachside dining, cosy cabanas and a traditional Vietnamese house for chilly winter evenings. Huge beanbags and loungers line the beach for guests to stretch out on, which are very welcome after … read the full post

Street food in Vietnam is not just about breakfast, lunch and dinner; it’s also very much about snacking. And the Vietnamese like to snack. Pho mai que (cheese sticks) is a new craze to hit the streets of Hanoi and while maybe not contributing to a balanced — or gourmet — diet, it’s a cheap … read the full post

Finding a bowl of pho in Saigon is by no means a hard task but sooner or later all the restaurants, stalls and bowls start to blend together. Pho Nho is a unique spot that stands out among the rest and is the place to go in Ho Chi Minh City for Hanoi-style pho. From … read the full post