The best areas to stay in Da Lat, including a guide to the most iconic French colonial-era hotels. Da Lat is a former French colonial hill station in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam. The city is 1500 metres above sea level, and its cool climate and mountain scenery makes it a popular getaway from […]
Welcome to Nomadic Notes
A travel blog featuring transport and accommodation guides in Southeast Asia
I’m James Clark. I'm a digital nomad and I take notes of my travels, thus the name Nomadic Notes.
I've been travelling the world since 2003 while running a publishing business. I'm currently based in Southeast Asia, and I write about transport and urban development issues at Future Southeast Asia.
I post trip reports on my travels around the world in the "Notes on..." series. I write guides on train travel and where to stay in Southeast Asia. Find out more about me and Nomadic Notes.
Latest Posts
Reunification Day Vietnam 2025: The 50th anniversary of the end of the war
April 30 is Reunification Day in Vietnam, and 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Ho Chi Minh City held a grand military parade to mark the historic anniversary. The day is known in Vietnam as the liberation of southern Vietnam and national reunification. For overseas Vietnamese who escaped it is […]
Notes on Bengkulu: A historic fort city on the wrong side of Sumatra
Bengkulu is the capital of Bengkulu province on the west coast of Sumatra Island. The city was a British outpost for nearly two centuries, though the colonial remnants are not as well preserved as the famous Straits cities. I visited Bengkulu after going from Palambang to Lubuk Linggau by train. Instead of backtracking on the […]
The bamboo railways in Battambang: Comparing the original and new bamboo trains
A guide for the original bamboo railway in Battambang and the new bamboo tourist train in Banon. The bamboo railway in Battambang is a lightweight trolley (known as a norry) that was originally used to transport goods and passengers along the old railway. This makeshift trolley railway served a functional purpose when there was no […]
Where to stay in Nha Trang – best areas near the beach
A guide to the best beach areas in the coastal resort city of Nha Trang, Vietnam. Nha Trang is a beach city in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam. The city is a popular destination for those wanting a beach break with the comforts of city lifestyle. The good thing about Nha Trang is […]
Where To Stay
Where to stay in Da Lat: The former hill station in Central Highlands of Vietnam
The best areas to stay in Da Lat, including a guide to the most iconic French colonial-era hotels. Da Lat is a former French colonial hill station in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam. The city is 1500 metres above sea level, and its cool climate and mountain scenery makes it a popular getaway from […]
