A Modern Wayfarer

Reasons To Visit Phu Quoc Island Vietnam

There are many reasons to visit Phu Quoc Island – not the least of which is the dazzling azure water tightly embracing its coastline! A once little-known fixture on the budget-backpacker scene and an even lesser-known ex-prison camp from the Vietnam War - the luxury-travel Gods are finally taking a shining to this historical paradise, hoping to make the island an enticing destination for treasure-hunters! Phu Quoc Island - How To Get There A product of Vietnam, Phu Quoc (pronounced ... Read More

Saigon Highlights: A Sign of the Times

There is a noticeable schism between two of Vietnam’s most well known cities. On the one hand, you’ve got Ha Noi, with it’s quaint charm and faint French-colonial vibe, and on the other you’ve got the progressive and ever-growing Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as the locals still like to call it. Fast becoming one of the key commercial hubs in Asia, this type of urbanisation filters right down to the type and flavour of Saigon highlights. Free citywide wireless Internet anyone? It is this Vietnam ... Read More

Hanoi Highlights: A Street-Cart Named Desire

Sometimes when you’re on the road, unexpected things happen. Like exiting your hotel in old town Hanoi in search of a local travel agent and ending up at his family's place for dinner. There are many tantalising Hanoi highlights - both big and small - to be uncovered just by walking down the street and chatting to the locals. It is this eager hospitality and old-world charm that sets the city apart from other Vietnamese cities, as well as its fresh and tasty street or “hawker” food lining the ... Read More

Sapa Highlights (sort of): Drowned and Out On A Mountain

As it turns out, SaPa highlights are kept to a minimum when you can't see more than two steps in front of you. I'm certain that the (apparently) scenic, yet remote town located 1500 meters above sea-level in Vietnam’s northwest Tonkinese Alps, famed for its lush vegetation, rugged mountains and luxe overnight train is pretty as a picture without the influence of torrential downpour and fog - I just personally didn't get to experience it. In fact, the most interesting experience during my stay ... Read More