Destinations

Hanoi is overpopulated, loud, and chaotic, with a frantic amount of activity. More over eight million individuals live in the city, and each one of them owns and uses many scooters, frequently all at once. You can always find someone selling something, generally something disgusting. Hanoi is at least 5,000 years old as a town, yet it feels far older. With the end of the Vietnam War in 1976, it most recently served as the capital of a new empire. It still exhibits an intriguing fusion of French and Chinese influences in both the architecture and the corruption of the local government. Khu Phố Cổ (Old Quarter) is Hanoi's oldest, liveliest, and most thrilling district. The Old Quarter's winding, confusing streets throb with activity. The air is filled with the hum of conversation and ...

Jakarta first appears to be the type of place that would leave tourists lost and bewildered. Its 661 square kilometers (255 mi 2) appear to go on forever without rhyme or reason, with uncharted corrugated iron hut shantytowns one way and prosperous, village-like communities the other. Perhaps it would be more accurate to think of Jakarta as a collection of smaller towns, with Merdeka Square's National Monument serving as the geographically most prominent landmark. The majority of the interesting tourist attractions, at least in this area, are reachable by taxi. Given Jakarta's absurdly high traffic congestion and the questionable roadworthiness of buses and bemo vans, transportation can be a challenge. Taxis are your best option, but only use drivers whose vehicles are equipped with me...

Typical of a contemporary, advanced metropolis, Kuala Lumpur has most of its important sights concentrated around the old colonial city, making it reasonably simple to traverse. There aren't many tourist attractions outside of a two or three kilometer radius, with the major area of interest being bounded by Jalan Sultan to the north, Lake Gardens to the west, Jalan Sulaiman to the south, and KL Plaza to the East. Although it is inexpensive and convenient to use the metro system and cabs, walking about the downtown area is the best option. Most signage is in English, but it’s worth keeping in mind that jalan is the Malay word for "road." The Light Rail Transit (LRT) and monorail lines will transport you straight to handy locations, including the enormous retail malls, if you do wish to tra...

Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam, has a certain energizing quality, whether it is the boom of motorbikes, the nearly continual opening of bars and restaurants, the conversational character of its residents, or the supply of excellent coffee. Given that more than half of its eight million residents are under 35, Saigon—as most locals refer to it—exudes a youthful, innovative vitality. Boutiques offering locally made clothing, inventive food, and eccentric cafés all reflect this vibrant atmosphere. And when you need a break from everything that's brand-new and spectacular, it's simple to snare some quiet time in dilapidated colonial structures and reflective art spaces. There are 24 districts in Ho Chi Minh City, half of which are numbered 1 through 12 and encompass the majo...

Straddling both the modern and the traditional, Bangkok showcases the best of both worlds in sights, sounds, food, and experiences. On Khao San Road, famed for its cheap accommodation and night-time party atmosphere, you'll see monks, backpackers and pub-goers walking, co-existing, and going about their business. From street vendors to indoor eateries, you'll experience a cornucopia of tastes that make Thai food one of the most relished and celebrated in the world. Whether it's your first time to visit Bangkok or your ninth, there's always something to discover and re-discover in the Big Mango. Here are some of the highly recommended neighborhoods to explore in Bangkok: Ratanakosin Ratanakosin is located between Phra Pinklo Bridge and Peace Bridge on the eastern side of the Chao ...