People young old seated on low stools outside eateries and cafes along the sides of the streets are a common sight when you roam around Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Despite the sweltering heat, locals and tourists enjoy a warm cup of coffee, a bowl of pho and Vietnamese cuisine in a non-airconditioned setting. There’s something attractive …
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is one of the postcard pictures of Vietnam. Thousands of isles and limestone karsts are cast around this famous bay in Quang Ninh Province in the northern part of the country. Now, millions of visitors flock to Ha Long, which means “descending dragon”, to see this beauty up …
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a sprawling city in the northern part of the country that has much old architecture and cultural and historical attractions that give off a charm that delights visitors and locals alike. Although it’s not my first time in Vietnam, since I have visited Ho Chi Minh City in the …
On August 8, 1967, five countries banded together to form the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These are Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. Now, the ASEAN marks its 50th year and it has grown into 10 countries, which now includes Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. I realized that I have visited all …
Exactly seven years ago today, I embarked on a Malaysia-Cambodia-Vietnam sojourn. Let me zero in on Vietnam as I recently received inquiries from friends as to where to go for shopping and dining in Ho Chi Minh City, visa requirements, Visa on Arrival services, a good place to stay, and other information they would need for a …
Read more “Traveling to Vietnam through Visa On Arrival Service”
When one has a day job and has to take some time off to travel to some foreign destination, the journey is often scheduled near the weekends to make the most of it. That’s what I always do. Several times, I time my trips during the Holy Week when business in the Philippines are mostly …
Lego is a global brand that is popular with children and adults alike. This popular toy blocks that are being put together trace its roots from Denmark and has made its way all over the world for over 80 years. Now, the Lego brick builds not just a small house but a whole theme park! …
Read more “First-time in Legoland Malaysia: from toy blocks to theme park”
The advent of technology has kept people on the go to be in touch with the rest of the world wherever they may be. It’s now an added bonus but it can also be a distraction to your journey. For first-time travelers wanting to be constantly connected, you will not only concern yourself with your …
Watching travelers in an airport coffee shop while waiting for my flight, I couldn’t help but wonder what 2010 has for me when it comes to traveling. Of course, 2009 was a good one. I have covered almost 20,000 miles, visited four countries, and enjoyed several beaches and landmarks. It was my first time to …
When I posted online that I was embarking on a long trip and one of my destinations would be HCMC, so many asked me if I were going to Hong Kong and Macau. For the uninitiated, HCMC is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. It is the biggest city of Vietnam and the …
Read more “First-time in Ho Chi Minh City: a Harmonious Chaos”
Years ago, after my return to the Philippines from a seven-month stay in Indonesia, I gifted myself with a Southeast Asian Travel Guide. It was sold on a very big discount because it’s the non-updated version. I didn’t mind and I figured that it would always be useful and I can find out for myself …