A mostly flat landscape where rice paddies stretch as far as the eyes can see, An Giang is a perfect overture to all that is distinctive about the Mekong Delta. But this province on Vietnam’s southern border is more than a “rice bowl”. It’s a place known for cultural diversity where multi-ethnics have coexisted for centuries.
Continue reading An Giang: Discover the Southern FrontierTag Archives: South East Asia
Yen Tu: Ascending the Holy Mountain
Yen Tu is a spiritual retreat and one of Vietnam’s most sacred sites. It features a series of temples, pagodas, and towered stupas set amidst a lush mountain landscape. It’s also here that Tran Nhan Tong, the revered Buddha Enlightened King, founded Truc Lam – a Vietnamese Zen lineage – some 700 years ago.
Continue reading Yen Tu: Ascending the Holy Mountain
Halong: Bay of the Descending Dragon
Covering an area of over 43,000 hectares, Halong Bay in northeast Vietnam is known for its impressive seascape formed by thousands of limestone islands and islets. These towering pillars rise from the seabed like a defensive wall and locals believe that they are the vestige of a legendary battle.
Continue reading Halong: Bay of the Descending Dragon20.9100512107.1839024
Hoshinoya Bali: A Forest Sanctuary
Embraced by vividly green forests, Hoshinoya Bali is a sanctuary of serenity. It’s designed after a traditional Balinese village, featuring villas with thatched roofs and canal-like swimming pools that mimic the subak system. Yet the modern ryokan also reflects the Japanese aesthetic via the use of space and extraordinary hospitality.
Continue reading Hoshinoya Bali: A Forest Sanctuary
The Soul of Old Hanoi
Most travelers to Hanoi know about its chaotic streets, its vibrant food scene, and perhaps the 20th-century wars that shape today’s Vietnam. But not many realize that this city has a rich history, dating back as far as the 11th century. It weaves through the historic core like a thread and is waiting to be discovered by those with keen eyes.
Continue reading The Soul of Old Hanoi
Topas Ecolodge: An Ideal Mountain Retreat
Settled on the verdant hillside of the Hoang Lien mountain range and far from the well-worn tourist path, Topas Ecolodge is literally a retreat. Here, guests can disconnect from the modern hectic world and immerse in the idyllic mountain lifestyle like it has been for centuries.
Continue reading Topas Ecolodge: An Ideal Mountain Retreat
Subak: The Path of Water in Bali
For the Balinese, irrigation is not simply providing water for the plants. Instead, there is a sophisticated system known as subak that incorporates many water-related components. Through this path of water, a deep connection between the spiritual, the natural and the human world is created.
Continue reading Subak: The Path of Water in Bali
East Bali: The Part Less Traveled
Though less traveled than the southern beaches and the spiritual heart of Ubud, East Bali possesses numerous cultural and natural attractions. From majestic volcanoes, and pristine beaches to richly ornate temples, exploring this region is a true pleasure.
Continue reading East Bali: The Part Less Traveled
Vietnamese Cuisine: Noodle Dishes
Though rice is the main staple food of Vietnamese people, noodles are often their favorite choice of food. From breakfast, lunch, and dinner to late-night snacks, you can easily spot locals slurping noodles at any time of the day. They are simply the thread of daily life.
Continue reading Vietnamese Cuisine: Noodle Dishes
A Weekend Retreat at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Overlooking a pristine bay and surrounded by forested mountains, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay gave me the feeling of a remote island. Unlike their bustling counterparts in Nha Trang, the resort is for those searching for relaxation and tranquillity.
Continue reading A Weekend Retreat at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Dak Lak: The Heartland of Vietnamese Coffee
In comparison to the resort town of Da Lat, Dak Lak is nearly unheard of. Most know about it as Vietnam’s largest coffee grower and exporter. Yet there is so much more hidden beneath the red basaltic soils. In fact, this under-the-radar province is in no hurry to reveal its treasures: stunningly beautiful sceneries and cultural richness.
Continue reading Dak Lak: The Heartland of Vietnamese Coffee
Six Senses Con Dao: An Island Getaway
Voted as the best resort in South East Asia by Travel + Leisure readers, Six Senses Con Dao is a hideaway in its true senses. The resort nestles in a quiet area of Con Dao, a windswept island just off the southeastern coast of Vietnam. Here, guests can sleep deeply to the sound of waves and wake up in a strikingly lush landscape.
Continue reading Six Senses Con Dao: An Island Getaway
Vietnamese Cuisine: The Common Rice Dishes
For thousands of years, rice has been the most important crop in Vietnam. It is the country’s primary staple food and thus it plays a fundamental role in Vietnamese culture. These days, rice remains a vital ingredient of Vietnamese cuisine despite all the changes in cooking methods and eating patterns over the past decades.
Continue reading Vietnamese Cuisine: The Common Rice Dishes
Vietnamese Cuisine: The Introduction
While Vietnamese cuisine abroad mostly flies under the banners of phở and bánh mì, its full spectrum is an endless combination of intriguing and fresh ingredients. The food varies from region to region, but generally, it’s characterized by simplicity and unmistakable flavors.
Continue reading Vietnamese Cuisine: The Introduction