A guide for getting the ferry from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau, including how to buy tickets, port locations, and what to expect onboard. Vung Tau is the closest beach to Ho Chi Minh City, so it’s a popular city escape for Saigonese. The easiest way to get there is by the fast […]
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.
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Latest Posts
How to buy tickets for the Laos-China Railway
How to buy Laos-China Railway tickets, including buying tickets online, by mobile phone app, ticket offices, and travel agents. The Laos-China Railway is a modern and efficient semi-high-speed railway system, but buying tickets isn’t as smooth as the train ride. The official website at www.lcrc.ltd doesn’t sell tickets, and there are rules and time restrictions […]
Laos-China Railway travel guide
A guide to the Laos-China Railway from Vientiane to Boten, including tickets, train types, station guides, onboard amenities, and transport to stations. The Laos-China Railway is a semi-high-speed railway in Laos that operates from Vientiane to Boten, with main stations in Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Muang Xai. Here everything you need to know about […]
Southeast Asia train travel guide
A guide to train travel Southeast Asia, featuring resources for buying tickets and reviews of rail travel in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia railways index Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Southeast Asia train travel resources Southeast Asia train travel FAQs Future Southeast Asia railways Cambodia Railway Operator: Royal Railway. Buy Cambodia train […]
Vientiane Khamsavath Railway Station Guide
A guide to Vientiane Khamsavath railway station, including station amenities, tickets, and transport to and from the station. Vientiane Khamsavath railway station (also known as Khamsavath railway station and Vientiane-Tai railway station) is a railway station that connects Vientiane to Thailand’s Northeastern Line. The new station and railway extension from the border means that it’s […]
Where To Stay
Where to stay in Vung Tau: Best Front Beach and Back Beach hotels
This guide on where to stay in Vung Tau lists the best hotels in the Front Beach and Back Beach areas of Vung Tau. Vung Tau is a coastal city in Southeast Vietnam. It’s the closest beach city to Ho Chi Minh City, so it sees many visitors on the weekend. While it’s not the […]
Cambodia Travel
Laos Travel
Malaysia Travel
Philippines Travel
Singapore Travel
Singapore Rail Corridor: The former railway line that’s now a walking path
Jewel Changi Airport review; An architectural marvel at the world’s best airport
Singapore to Indonesia by ferry: a list of every port and ferry operator
How to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by train
Thailand Travel
Largest islands in Thailand
Best beaches near Bangkok
Maeklong market railway, Thailand – The train that goes through a market
Bangkok
Bangkok Mass Transit System
Where to stay in Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai cafes
Nimman Chiang Mai: the world’s first digital nomad neighbourhood
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai burning season
Hua Hin
Where to stay in Hua Hin
Pattaya
Where to stay in Pattaya
Vietnam Travel
Where to stay in Can Tho
Da Nang
Where to stay in Da Nang
Hanoi
Hanoi Train Street
Where to stay in Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City Metro Map
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Where to stay in Hoi An
Hue
Where to stay in Hue
Phan Thiet
Where to stay in Phan Thiet
Vung Tau
Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau by ferry
Where to stay in Vung Tau