After you’ve had your fill of Peking Duck while in Beijing, you might want to try something else. A fabulous option is a Brazilian restaurant called Alameda, which is in Na-Li Mall, off Sanlitun Lu Street (also referred to as Bar Street due to its many drinking establishments). Once you’ve found Na-Li Mall, take [...]

If you are like me and love your handbags, then you’ll have a ball in Hanoi. In amongst the fake label bags and the bags of dodgy quality, there are some beautiful bags made of silk and shell. If you are looking for unique bags with a sense of theatre and don’t mind paying [...]

Kentucky Fried Chicken has arrived at the Communist heartland. Before I left on a month’s sojourn in Australia, the only thing in Hanoi resembling a multinational chain of food and beverages was the string of Highlands Coffee Shops (generally described as the local version of Starbucks) that have sprouted up all over town. [...]

Hoi An is a World Heritage-listed list town 45 minutes’ drive from Danang and is a great option for a long weekend’s getaway. Being on a river and not far from the sea, the restaurants in Hoi An specialise in seafood, particularly crab and shrimp. One of the best places to enjoy the local fare [...]

If you want an authentic Vietnamese dining experience, then Puku isn’t the place to visit. Located at 60 Hang Trong in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Puku is a popular ex-pat hangout, and a great place to relax on a hot day and eavesdrop on gossiping UN volunteers. You can also hook-up your laptop and [...]