The best areas to stay in Quy Nhon, including the city beach, Phuong Mai Peninsula, and beaches to the south of the city centre. Quy Nhon is a city in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam. The city has similarities to Da Nang and Nha Trang in that it has a municipal beach in […]
Notes on Surabaya – In the midst of an old town renaissance
The Old City (Kota Lama), Surabaya Chinatown, and Jalan Tunjungan (one of the coolest streets in Indonesia). Surabaya is a port city in the northeastern corner of Java island. The city is the capital of East Java province and the second-largest city in Indonesia. I visited Surabaya in May 2024 as part of my rail […]
Da Nang to Hoi An by public bus (LK-02)
How to get the public bus from Da Nang to Hoi An. Da Nang and Hoi An are about 27 km apart, but getting the public bus isn’t as straightforward as you would expect. There used to be a public bus between Da Nang and Hoi An (Bus 1) but that was cancelled during the […]
Da Nang and Nha Trang: Comparing the two great beach cities of Vietnam
Da Nang And Nha Trang are two of the largest coastal cities of Vietnam. Both cities have municipal beaches and they have become tourism powerhouses in the country. Here is a comparison of the two cities as of 2025. I first visited Vietnam in 2005, and I have been a regular visitor ever since. I […]
Digital nomad history: a timeline of how digital nomadism evolved
A timeline of digital nomad history, from the earliest predictions, technological evolutions, to the mainstream adopting the Work From Anywhere lifestyle. A digital nomad is defined as someone who uses technology, especially a laptop and a wireless network, to work remotely from anywhere in the world. Digital nomadism has risen from being an idealist vision […]
Da Nang is the new digital nomad hub of Southeast Asia
How Da Nang has overtaken Chiang Mai and Canggu to become the digital nomad capital of Southeast Asia. Da Nang is a city on the central coast of Vietnam. The city is between the coast and the mountains, with a river running through the middle. There is also a bay where the main port is, […]
Notes on Bandung: The decolonization capital and the high-speed gateway to Java
Bandung is the capital city of West Java province in Indonesia, and about 150 km southeast of Jakarta. I was in Bandung after riding the Jakarta Bandung High-Speed Railway. The new train (known as Whoosh) is the fastest train in Southeast Asia, with a top speed of 350 km/h. I’ve been to Bandung before, but […]
Where to stay in Da Lat: The former hill station in the 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 […]
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 […]
