Even though Ho Chi Minh City is approaching the status of megacity, there aren’t distinct neighbourhoods compared to cities of a similar size. Apart from the colonial-era inner city, most of the city has the same uniform mayhem to it. There is a Japantown in District 1, and a couple of Korean enclaves. Cholon is […]
Flight Review: AirAsia – Penang to Ho Chi Minh City
Flight: AirAsia AK 1502 From: Penang (PEN) To: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) I flew with AirAsia from Penang to Ho Chi Minh City. As two of my favourite destinations in Southeast Asia I was happy to see that AirAsia had started this route. I already knew I was going to fly this route, but […]
Saigon to Phan Thiet by train – the easy way to get to Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a popular beach resort area in Southeastern Vietnam. The actual beach area is between the towns of Phan Thiet and Mui Ne, though most people just say Mui Ne for the general area. The easiest way to get to Mui Ne is to get the Saigon to Phan Thiet train, and then […]
Flight Review: Vietjet Air – Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City
Flight: Vietjet Air VJ 877 From: Hong Kong (HKG) To: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) I flew with Vietjet Air from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City. I searched for flights with Skyscanner.com and found that Vietjet had the best price at a good time of day to fly. I have flown from Hong […]
The changing face of Saigon – 2017 edition
With around 8.5 million people in Saigon the city will soon join the ranks of the world’s megacities. I wrote about the changing face of Saigon in 2015 which summarised the changes to the city. Much has happened over the last two years so here is an update on the changes – good and bad […]
Nha Trang to Saigon by train
A review of train SE7 from Nha Trang to Saigon in a four-bed berth (first class sleeper). Vietnam by train is a great way to travel if you are making your way up or down the coast. While I wouldn’t traverse the whole length of the country in one go (especially when flights between Hanoi […]
Flight Review: Vietjet Air – Ho Chi Minh City to Cam Ranh (Nha Trang)
Flight: Vietjet Air VJ 342 From: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) To: Cam Ranh (CXR) I flew with Vietjet Air from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang. The flight is to Cam Ranh Airport (CXR) though it is marketed as Nha Trang. There used to be an airport at Nha Trang, which was in […]
Flight Review: Lao Airlines – Vientiane to Ho Chi Minh City
Flight: Lao Airlines QV 515 From: Vientiane (VTE) To: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) Via: Pakse (PKZ) I flew with Lao Airlines from Vientiane to Ho Chi Minh City. I compared flights with Skyscanner to find what my options were. At the time of my travel there was no non-stop flight between the two cities. […]
Guesthouse Review: 96 Bui Vien Guesthouse, Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam
Guesthouse Name: 96 Bui Vien Guesthouse Address: 96 bui Vien street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam I stayed at the 96 Bui Vien Guesthouse in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I booked online at the rate of $13 USD per night. I stayed here for a night while looking […]
Motorbike taxi comparison in Saigon (Xe Om, UberMOTO, GrabBike)
Ho Chi Minh City is famous for its motorbike traffic, which is not exactly what cites want to be famous for. For new visitors the swarms of motorbikes is one of the most noticeable features upon arrival. Once you get over the initial shock you will see that the bikes aren’t going too fast, drivers […]










