Category Archives for Asia
6 Stunning Rooftop Bars in Hanoi, Vietnam – My Personal Favorites
When you’re in it, the chaos of Hanoi’s streets can feel overwhelming. But when you’re above it looking down, it’s definitely a beautiful thing. So if you want to get above the crowds and enjoy a drink with some comparative peace and quiet, give these Hanoi rooftop bars a look. Hanoi’s rooftop scene isn’t quite […]
Continue readingHow This Expat Copes With Air Pollution in Hanoi
I love so many things about Hanoi. The beautiful lakes, amazing cafes, and yes, the cheap cost of living. But the main thing that holds me back from living here long term is the pollution. I hate the feeling that living here means slowly killing myself. And I hate that I have to check to […]
Continue readingCost of Living in Vietnam: How Much Does it Cost to Live in Hanoi, Vietnam?
Wondering about the cost of living in Vietnam? I’m guessing you’ve heard a bit about how cheap it is to live here. But just how cheap is cheap? I mean, if you live in San Francisco, everywhere is cheap in comparison. I think I can help provide some context… See, as someone who’s grown up […]
Continue readingWhich Taxi in Hanoi? Avoid Taxi Scams by Choosing These Companies
A major concern for most travelers in Vietnam is avoiding falling prey to taxi scams. Guide books constantly warn about it and, while it’s not as bad as it once was, it is still something that happens fairly regularly…if you’re not careful. But if you stick with the major taxi companies in Hanoi, you should […]
Continue readingThat Time I Ate Coconut Worm Larvae in Hanoi, Vietnam (and Where You Can Too)
I was a picky eater when I lived in America. I was. Then I moved to Vietnam, where the culture took a sock full of pennies to every picky bone in my body. In America, I felt woozy when I saw blood on my de-boned chicken breast. In Vietnam, I eat raw blood pudding and […]
Continue readingVietnam Bus Tickets: Where to Buy (Hint – Not the Travel Agencies!)
Vietnam bus tickets don’t have to be scary. But they are when you first arrive. I remember when I first landed here, I got totally bilked when I bought a bus ticket from Hanoi to Sapa. They showed me and my friend this amazing brochure. We saw the bus and instantly went, “hell yeah!”. They […]
Continue readingHow to Get from Hanoi to Sapa by Bus or Train
As a resident of Hanoi, I’ve made the trip from Hanoi to Sapa multiple times at this point, so I feel I have at least some expertise. There are two main ways to get from Hanoi to Sapa: Bus Train In the past, most everyone recommended the train because the bus ride was long and […]
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