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 […]
About James Clark
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 […]
Hotel Review: HODI Hotel, Da Nang – Vietnam
Hotel review of the HODI Hotel in Da Nang, a budget hotel in the My An Beach area of Da Nang. Hotel Name: HODI Hotel. Address: 2-14 An Thuong 26 street, My An ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang, Vietnam. I stayed at the HODI Hotel in Da Nang. I booked online at the […]
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 […]
Notes on Lubuk Linggau – At the end of the line in South Sumatra
Lubuk Linggau (or Lubuklinggau) is a city in South Sumatra, Indonesia. A train goes from Palembang to Lubuk Linggau, so that was the only excuse I needed to visit. I didn’t want to backtrack to Palembang, so I decided to stay in Lubuk Linggau and then find other transport to Bengkulu on the coast. The […]
Hotel Review: Trieu Vu Hotel & Apartment, Buon Ma Thuot – Vietnam
Hotel Name: Trieu Vu Hotel & Apartment. Address: 27 Le Dai Hanh, Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak, Vietnam. Hotel review of the Trieu Vu Hotel & Apartment in Buon Ma Thuot, a budget hotel in Buon Ma Thuot, Central Highlands, Vietnam. I stayed at the Trieu Vu Hotel & Apartment in Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam. […]
Chiang Mai burning season: News and information about air pollution in Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai burning season refers to the time of year when the air in Northern Thailand is filled with haze from forest fires and the burning of crop waste. Even though this is a problem across Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has become the focus of the pollution crisis. The city has made international headlines for […]
Hotel Review: Thang Lap Hotel, Da Lat – Vietnam
Hotel review of the Thang Lap Hotel in Da Lat, a budget hotel near the lake in Da Lat, Vietnam. Hotel Name: Thang Lap Hotel. Address: 33/15 Ho Tung Mau, Da Lat, Vietnam. I stayed at Thang Lap Hotel in Da Lat, Vietnam. I booked online at the rate of 326,762 VND ($12.83 USD) per […]
