Mekong Delta Travel Guide

Writing a guide to the best cheap eats in Saigon is the journalistic equivalent of building an exact replica of the Great Pyramids without the slave labour. In other words, heroically time-consuming and practically pointless. Great cheap food is everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City. From the toothless old crones purveying goodies such as bot chien (fried rice cakes with egg) and cut chien (tiny fried quails) to the street side quans (basic restaurants), there’s... Read More

For those on a budget, Vietnam is pretty much close to the ideal destination. Banquets can be had for cents while the profusion of cheap alcohol means that you can get the party well and truly swinging for the price of what a packet of cigarettes would cost in the west. Unsurprisingly, accommodation is just as reasonable. Competition is fierce in Ho Chi Minh City, especially in the budget-tourist hub of Pham Ngu Lao, and you won’t struggle to find a decent... Read More

For most visitors – and long-term foreign residents for that part – the Vietnamese language is a tricky beast to get a handle on. With six tones and a bewildering plethora of vowel sounds and nuances to grasp, it is hardly surprising that many foreigners opt not to throw themselves wholeheartedly into the alien linguistic maelstrom. Learning a smattering of Vietnamese phrases will enhance your experience in Saigon What’s more, visitors will likely be... Read More