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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau by ferry
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 […]
Travel Newsletter by The Travel Wire – Best travel reads of the week
Introducing The Travel Wire: A weekly travel newsletter the curates the best travel reads from around the web. About The Travel Wire I was previously curating travel reads as part of the Nomadic Notes Newsletter. I use the Nomadic Notes Newsletter to post site updates and other news that doesn’t make it onto Nomadic Notes. […]
Notes on Siantar: things to do while waiting for the train in North Sumatra
Pematangsiantar (also known as Siantar) is city in North Sumatra Province of Indonesia, and it’s the second-largest city in North Sumatra after Medan. Siantar not a city on the tourist trail, but I ended up here on the way back from Lake Toba to Medan. There is a train from Siantar to Medan, and I […]










