Vietnam
Best short-haul holiday destinations: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam’s frenetic and underrated financial centre offers a rich history and one of the most exciting – and bargainous – food scenes in South-East Asia.
- by Katherine Scott
This incredible Vietnamese cafe building is like a giant chocolate box
Get a hit of the national obsession, as coffee and history collide in this quirky Insta attraction.
- by Katherine Scott
‘Nothing prepared me’: These rare, ‘wretched beauties’ will break your heart
Animals Asia grants limited access to visitors who want to help bring a species back from the brink of extinction while ending bear bile farming in Vietnam.
- by Anabel Dean
A dish so packed with flavour and texture, it’s a wonder it all fits in one bowl
This dish can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and it is absolutely, stupendously delicious.
- by Ben Groundwater
Can an unknown Hoi An tailor create a fashion fantasy in seven hours?
Every generation in human history has had its own paragon of female beauty and Pamela Van has less than seven hours to realise mine.
- by Anabel Dean
A serene journey down the Mekong on a new luxury ship
A voyage aboard a floating castle, of sorts, from Vietnam to Cambodia can’t help but remind Australians of the classic film The Castle.
- by Penny Watson
Beautiful Hanoi haunt of Chaplin, Greene and Fonda gets a facelift
Following an extensive 21-month refurbishment, the storied Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has a new story to tell with the relaunch of its original heritage wing.
- by Julietta Jameson
★★★★½
Hotel reviews
This hotel exists in an alternative universe – it’s a hoot
This hotel is something unexpected in a country with a history sadly mostly identified by war.
- by Anthony Dennis
★★★★
Airline reviews
Airline review: This cabin crew makes you feel good about flying economy
In economy, you’re never going to be lavished by the sort of attention afforded to those in the pointy end, but this crew comes close.
- by Anthony Dennis
This giant Asian resort has everything – except Aussies
The enormous Alma Resort in Vietnam has 12 swimming pools. I made it my vow to swim in them all.
- by Julietta Jameson