Contrary to what it may seem, Saigon does actually have some traffic laws. If you plan on using a motorbike yourself to get around the city, we suggest brushing up on these laws as well as how to deal with Saigon’s police. One of the most important laws to abide by is HCMC’s helmet law. … read the full post

Traffic in HCMC is ridiculous: it’s noisy, congested and totally awesome to navigate. To look at the traffic from the outside it would most certainly seem chaotic; people driving on the sidewalk, almost no regard for traffic lights, people swerving around people at whatever speed they desire. It’s so crazy that most people would be … read the full post

Christmas in HCMC is a bit of an extravaganza, with fantastic decorations everywhere and people making an evening out of just hanging out around them. But as crazy as Christmas gets it has nothing on New Year’s Eve in Saigon. Ringing in the New Year right is a high priority for the city; decorations line … read the full post

With the temperature dropping notably over the last week and my friend calling me this morning to ask where she could buy a heater, I thought it was an appropriate time to comment on the frequently asked question: “How cold does it get in Hanoi?“. We arrived in Hanoi at the end of January 2010 … read the full post

In a few weeks, my parents and brother are visiting Saigon, and Vietnam as a whole, for the first time. As I’m being a good daughter and helping with them plan their trip, I thought it would be a good idea for them to go on a tour of the city. Although I found a … read the full post

A few months ago I wrote about Dong Xuan Market, perhaps the best known market to tourists in Hanoi. However, Hanoi’s a city full of markets so there are a lot more worth exploring. Food markets can be found all over town. Despite the growth of the supermarket, most shopping is still conducted at local … read the full post

The best way to travel in Ho Chi Minh City is by motorbike. While it is easy to catch a xe om, and have them taxi you around, it is even cooler to drive yourself. Luckily, if you cruise around Pham Ngu Lao it is easy to find a shop that will rent you a … read the full post

Sometimes the noise and grind from the constant busyness of Saigon can get you in a funk. Even if you’re only in the city for a few days, a quick break can help you keep your sanity. For a break from the city, I like to take a trip out to District 7’s Phu My … read the full post

The event covered in this post has now happened, and wow, what a night! It went fantastically well: nearly 500 people attended and we raised over $4,600. A big big thanks to all involved. If you’d like to find out more, learn about upcoming events and activities in Hanoi and the UK, or make a … read the full post

Some tips for transporting your motorbike on a train from Lao Cai to Hanoi