The economic centre of Southeast Asia’s rising economic star, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the planet’s most exciting cities, where influences from France collide with the Orient, and where the Vietnam War is remembered like it was yesterday. And with skyscrapers, landmarks and fashion cenres galore, never has there been a better time to head to a place that, despite the global recession, is still very much alive and kicking.

Authentic Vietnamese

Vietnamese cuisine is taking off around the world, but there is still no better place to find it than in the country’s gourmet capital. Join the likes of Bill Clinton at Pho2000 near Ben Thanh Market, which proudly proclaimed “Pho for the President” along with various photos of the then President of the United States enjoying a bowl of pho at the iconic restaurant. The menu here is long and varied, and is packed with locals and tourists alike. Those looking for something a little more fusion should head to Xu Bar, which is not only one of the cornerstones of night life in the city, but is also the place where the celebrated Chef Nyuyen is attempting to revamp traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

Coffee & Cafe

The Ho Chi Minh City is brighten up by various lights at night, giving it a laid-back atmosphere that give rise to the prevalence of cafes dotted along the streets. Vietnam is one of the world’s most renowned producers of coffee, and caffeine lovers will find themselves in aromatic heaven trying out the varied local brews here. For a sure-fire way to refresh and relax, pick a random cafe at a bustling street corner and order a local brew. Sit back and enjoy as you laze yourself and watch the various pedestrians passing by.

Hitting the Town

Other than a pick of bustling cafes to relax and sip your time away, the Ho Chi Minh City also plays host to numerous trendy bars that is a favorite of both locals and expats. The Q Bar, Saigon Saigon Bar, Xu Bar, Lush and Velvet are but a few in the long list of popular hangout spots for the party crowd, each with their own distinct trendiness and appeal.

Iconic Landmarks

It’s pretty easy to navigate the sprawling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City on foot, particularly since most of the places of interest is located in District One. Start with the Notre Dame Cathedral, an outstanding red-brick building adorned with staiend glass, then move on to Saigon Central Post office, a French colonial building with a classic interior. This also operates all postal services from the city and is the best place to buy a phone card. The Opera House typifies the city, showing both western operas and traditional Vietnamese performances. The Reunification Palace was the home of the former Viet Cong leader who the city is named after and is a grand colonial building overlooking the city centre.

Bikers Gang

After exploring the iconic landmarks of District One by foot, rent a motorbike and cruise along the streets for a way of transportation that has become ingrained into the fabric of society. Throngs of Vietnamese commuters travel by motorbike, and although it may not be one of the safest way to travel, it is certainly one of the most authentic.

War Remnants

One of Vietnam’s biggest tourist attractions, the Chu Chi Tunnels are a network of underground caverns built during the Vietnam War. About 121 kms long in total, visitors can take a tour of the tunnels and see for themselves the conditions in which the Vietcong waged a bloody war against the machineries of US. The War Remnant Museum, also known as the Museum of American Atrocities, is another tourist attraction worth visiting. It’s extremely biased and one sided, but still an important insight nevertheless into the Vietcong’s reaction to the war.

Shopping Seasons

Aside from eating most visitors to Vietnam’s number one city find themselves spending most of their time here shopping. Ben Thanh Market is a major market in Ho Chi Minh City and is the place to find souvenirs. There is a wide selection of t-shirts sporting the likes of “Good Morning Vietnam” and “Miss Saigon” to lacquerware and embroidery, and for those that love a good brew, some of the best coffee beans in the region. Ladies will want to try out the Ao Dai, the Vietnamese national dress, which is one of the most exquisite in the region, combining trousers and a dress.

About the Author. Trangh Nguyen. Come to Vietnam, enjoy a cup of bia hoi in the street restaurant, ride moto, cruise in the labirynth of Mekong Delta and Halong Bay. Come with us and share the delight of one of the most beautiful country in Asia. We welcome you with our heart, hospitality and excellent cuisine.

Just as the rest of the world moves forward into the online digital world, there are still various classical traditions from centuries past that retains their popularity with the new younger generation of people. Even as some of these traditions are bizarre and unusual, they have continued to grow in infamy. With its colorful local cultures and numerous differing locales, the region of Asia is filled with such festivities that makes you go “Huh?” Here are some of them to keep you amused and piqued with curiosity.

Kanamara Matsuri

Often mistaken for a big, gigantic bachelor party or the Japanese equivalent of a grand Playboy bash, Kanamara Matsuri (or the Festival of the Steel Phallus) is a colorful festive event which sees various replica of the male gender’s “equipment” strewn about in various color and shape. Originating from the Edo period of the 1600, this annual Fertility Festival was initially organized by geisha escorts during the period, in the hope that they will be protected from various STDs. The Kanamara Matsuri is centred around a local penis-venerating shrine believed to grant divine protection not only against STDs, but also in business and the clan’s prosperity, marriage and family harmony. Now, this Shinto gathering is a full-fledged tourist attraction that helps various related social initiative. Only in Japan would such a festival can be made available to all the public, and even to children!

Bau Nyale

The full moon shone brightly up on the dark nightscape of Lombok’s beautiful southern coast. It was February, the month of love and romance, and a throng of locals were on the beach, looking out for… worms? Locally referred to as “nyale”, this colorful worms are only seen during the month of February to March, whose appearance are celebrated by the locals as they are believed to be a transformation of Princess Mandalika. The local legend goes that a beloved local princess was famed for her beauty throughout the land, with numerous suitors competing for her attention and love. Over time, the competition grasdfew fierce and distasteful, and the princess, not wanting to start a war between the locals, decided to sacrifice herself and threw herself into the sea. Every year, the locals celebrates the appearance of the colorful worms with various events such as traditional war games, musicals and a stage rendition of the story of Princess Mandalika.

Holi Festival

This popular Hindu spring festival, observed in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and other Hindu countries, is also known as The Festival of Color. The festivities can last up to sixteen days, with the main day, Holi, celebrated by people applying (or sometimes throwing) colored water or powder at each other. The Holi festival is a celebration of good over bad, and also of various Hindu legends. Culturally, the Holi is a festival that brings all fabric of society together, and strengthen the community, not an easy feat in a secular India where caste and race plays a large part in social dynamics. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month, usually in the later part of February or March.

Boryeong Mud Festival

The Boryeong’s Mud Festival on Daecheon Beach brings out the child in everyone. During this summer event, festival goers apply mud packs to their entire body, believing the mud from Boryeong to contain important minerals which reduce wrinkles and remove excess oils from the skin. Aside from the mass mud bathing, there are also mud body painting contests, a mud beauty contest, mud massages and even a mud sculpture contest. Those not so into mud can simply gawk at the scene while enjoying your usual beach activities on the white sand of Daecheon Beach.

About the Author. Nikolas Tjhin. A graphic and web designer in its previous incarnation, Nik’s journeyman career has seen him do work for various creative studios in Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Singapore and Jakarta. Now, he’s settled down for the time being and focusing his efforts as the editor of an Asia travel zine, Unearthing Asia.

Although Asia is mostly made up of various sizes of island nations and several dense world capitals, there is a time and place to hire a car and push the pedal to the floor. Here are some of Asia’s greatest drives perfect for those wanting the sense of thrill and freedom only a road-trip can give you. Enjoy the breathtaking scenic drive as you feel the breeze of wind against your sun-tanned face. And don’t forget to check up on our unusual list of road trip songs for your perusal as you enjoy your drive!

Great Ocean Road – Australia

Just a stone’s throw from Melbourne is the Great Ocean Road, 151 miles of road wrapping around the southern coast of Australia. It is one of my favourite places in the world to catch a sunset, especially if you happen to be in the area near the 12 Apostles, a set of limestone stacks that are stunning. Don’t miss the helicopter tour of the coast if the weather isn’t inclement, as well as the discount surfer shops in Torquay. There are also forest walks near Lorne which boats gorgeous waterfalls, and the road runs near one of Australia’s last remaining rainforests, the Great Otway National Park.

The Hai Van Pass – Vietnam

The Hai Van Pass, on route 1A between Hue and Hoian, was claimed to be a “deserted ribbon of perfection…one of the best coastal roads in the world.” Hai Van means ocean clouds, and indeed the mountainous valley is often covered with mist. The route has an alternate path, the Hai Van Tunnel, because for many drivers this is one difficult drive so keep this in mind should you want to attempt it yourself! But with the green hillsides, the shimmering ocean, and mountain peaks all within eyesight, this is a very special place indeed.

Osado Skyline Drive – Sado Island, Japan

While Sado Island has been refuge to many political rebels over the years, tourists come to Sado for a bit of peace and quiet. With only 70,000 local residents, there is plenty of room to stretch out and relax while enjoying the lush green Osado Mountains, sea cliffs, and tiny little fishing ports. Hiking is quite popular on the island, but don’t miss the 155 miles of coastline roads to explore. The best views can be had from the Osado Skyline Drive, which cuts through the island via the Osado Mountains and Mount Kinpoku, the highest point on the island. Be sure to stop at the scenic point at Hakuundai; don’t forget, the road is closed in winter (Nov-Apr).

The Phuket Northeast Loop – Thailand

Despite Phuket’s busy atmosphere, there are a few drives that you can take to get away and just watch the countryside roll by. One is the Mission Mills Drive but another popular one is dubbed the Phuket Northeast Loop. It starts at the Heroines Monument and traverses a circle along the east coast of the island. There’s excellent views of Phang-nga Bay and little fishing villages along the way all waiting for you stop for some fresh seafood! Don’t miss the statue of Ganesha (Ganesh), the elephant-headed Hindu god.

Halsema Highway – Philippines

If you want to reach the highest point in the Philippines’ highway system, then just head for the Halsema Highway, which connects Baguio and Sagada. It is named after an engineer who managed to get the roadway built through the mountains. Besides the great views and endless farms and vegetable patches you’ll see, there’s something far more interesting to catch sight of. It is a funny moment, one of those “only in Asia” sights when you see one for the first time. You see, many of the villages along this route have erected monuments to their main exports: vegetables. That’s right – be sure to stop for a photo opportunity at the potato statue, the carrot statue, etc. Only in Asia…

Twizel to Mount Cook – New Zealand

You’ll never see water so turquoise as the surreal waters of Lake Pukaki in the center of New Zealand’s South Island. The 39 mile drive from Twizel runs along the seemingly endless Lake Pukaki, terminating in Mount Cook Village, in the shadow of the snowy caps of Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in the country. From the village you have the option of many hikes or excursions out onto Lake Pukaki. There are many wonderful drives in this region (a fact you will confirm just getting to Twizel) but this particular section is a real charmer.

If You Go

It goes without saying: before you depart, be sure you research the rules and regulations of the Asia country you’re visiting. In some cases your current driver’s license will be sufficient, but in others you’ll need extra permits.

If you don’t speak the local language be sure to bring a guidebook with commonly used phrases and signage for a quick reference. And of course – drive safe. Many countries are notorious for poor driving (this is a phenomenon not limited to Asia) so take care. When in down, park the car elsewhere and take alternate transport.

About the Author. Andy Hayes. Andy Hayes is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. When not crossing the world to have his next Asian travel adventures, he is hitting the walking trails near home. To get in touch or see Andy’s other travelogues, visit his website, Sharing Experiences.

High altitude wilderness has its own uniquely self-eluding charm, one that held me in awe. This was the reason why I chose to start the year 2009 with a visit to Zanskar Valley. The Himalayan valley is one of the remotest in India, and can be reached by road only during the summer. I’ve always thought of planning a road trip to the barren yet beautiful landscape of Leh, but not this time – I flew down instead from New Delhi to Leh to save time.

Most people prefer to fly to Leh to reach Zanskar because of the altitude and the scenic vistas and not to mention the fact that you will get to fly over the Himalayan Ranges. If not for the comfort and ease of transportation, I was more than willing to fork out the extra money for the stunning views from above the sky.

As I walked out of the plane at an altitude of 11,500 feet above sea level, the first thing that caught my eye was the seemingly endless horizon filled with blinding whiteness. It started to drizzle a bit as I made my way towards the visitor centre, where I was greeted by a Tibetan with deep wrinkles and a large smile. He introduced himself as Chawang, and he was to be my guide for the trip to Zanskar Valley.

If you don’t have a guide for your trip then it might be a problem because to reach Zanskar, you need to cross over from Ladakh to Kashmir and back to Ladakh. There are several military checkpoints en-route which can be quite a headache. Another thing to note is that foreigners need a proper permit while traveling to some of the areas in Leh and Jammu and Kashmir – your guide can easily take care of that.

Leh is a small town surrounded by the Ladakh Range on one side and the Zanskar Range on the other. Except for the Leh Palace, there are no attractions in the city. You can take a walk through the city, relax, and acclimatize. If you plan to stay in Leh for longer duration then you can pay a visit to some of the further attractions from Leh, such as the Thikse Monastery, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri Lake, and Khardung La Pass.

Early in the morning the next day, we made our way towards Zanskar Valley. To get to the valley the plan was to drive 234 kilometers through deep gorges, snow capped peaks and landslide zones towards Kargil, a halfway stop where we will spend the night and rest up. The next morning, we’ll drive the next 220km through from Kargil via Rangdum and Penzi La Pass towards Zangla.

In the morning light, the picture perfect scenery was simply unforgettable. A beautiful river snaked along snow capped mountains, with the imposing structure of Rangdum monastery bringing color into the barren landscape at the valley floors. The Rangdum Gompa, located some 7km from the Rangdum Valley, is perched on a hill offering a spectacular views of the nearby mountains and glaciers. This stunning monastery was established in the early 18th century and is home to around 40 monks.

Next morning, we started off early with a 27km ascent to Pensi La Pass and were greeted by two huge glaciers that feed the Suru River and two charismatic high altitude lakes. A perfect picnic spot! After a small photo session, we moved ahead and closer to the famous Drang Drung glacier, which is the largest in Ladakh region. It is a long winding river of snow and ice with the Z3 peak in the background. The Glacier is the source of the Stod River, which joins the Tsarap River in Padum to form the mighty Zanskar River. From this point, we descended more into the Zanskar valley to Sani.

We crossed Padun by mid-day, and after a brief lunch hurried on to Zangla before sunset. After approximately 3-hour drive from Padum, we finally reached the Zanskar Valley, where I plan to stay for a good few days to enjoy the relaxing wilderness. The Zanskar Valley trip is not an easy one because of the terrain, altitude, and weather. It is a good 10-day trip from Leh and back. If you have plenty of time and are looking for more adventures then some of the places you can visit include the Nubra Valley, Suru Valley, The Hemis National Park, Lamayuru Monastery, and the Markha Valley in the Ladakh Region.

About the Author. Nikolas Tjhin. A graphic and web designer in its previous incarnation, Nik’s journeyman career has seen him do work for various creative studios in Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Singapore and Jakarta. Now, he’s settled down for the time being and focusing his efforts as the editor of an Asia travel zine, Unearthing Asia.

Located at the southern-most part of Singapore, Sentosa Island stands at a mere 465 hectares, yet it has much more to offer than meets the eye. Beyond the typical notion of endless sun, fine white sand and crystal clear waters, what completes an enchanting Sentosa experience its plentitude of activities, performances and interesting sites, all for you to enjoy in an island resort fashion.

Adventure

Hosting the first-ever night luge ride in Southeast Asia, the Sentosa Luge and Skyride bring you to the top with a stunning panoramic day or night view of the entire island while you journey up the hill via the Skyride. After which, prepare for an adrenaline rush as you rocket 650 meters down the colorfully and brightly lit track with simple steering and braking luge carts safe for people of all ages. Next, try out the 450-meter long and 70-meter high flying fox that whizzes you through the jungle, right over the sandy beaches, across the sea and finally landing at an islet off Siloso Beach.

Historic Sites

Having gone through the World War II, the island still houses remnants of its painful past at the preserved Fort Siloso. Go through the tunnels built more than half a century ago with life-size figurines and exhibits that spiral you back in time. Out in the opens, an array of authentic 17th century guns and cannons are on display, much to the fancy of many.

If being out in the sun is getting too much to bear, head over to The Images Of Singapore, an indoor one-stop-know-it-all spot for tourists to get a quick understanding of the culture, tradition and history of Singapore. Check out the variety of local cuisines and bring home a couple of souvenirs to round up an encompassing experience to the heart of Singapore.

Beaches

There are three beaches in Sentosa each offering a different kind of seaside indulgence. The most popular Siloso Beach is home to beach volleyball lovers, especially on weekends where the entire vicinity is flooded with bikini babes and beach hunks. There are bars and bistros situated along the beach, including the much-known Cafe Del Mar coming alive in the evening as the music booms much louder, sparking up the nightlife.

Walk further down the coastline to Palawan Beach and find yourself at the southern-most point of the Asia Continent. Connected by a suspension bridge across the waters, this little off-shore island hardly more than a kilometer wide (in estimation) is also the closest point to the equator! Tanjong beach is located furthest away from the heart of the beach, but ideal for those who seek peace and tranquil leisure. With fewer crowds, Tanjong Beach is the perfect place to get away from the clutter and noise while staying close within 10 minutes walk from where the actions are.

Live Shows and Performances

Kids are always wildly enticed and adults much entertained, by the live shows available daily on the island. There is the Animal and Bird Encounter where visitors get up close and personal, some even get a chance to come face-to-face with our pig-tailed macaques, parrots, eagle, python, hawks and Siberian husky friends.

There is also the Dolphin Lagoon to visit the highly intelligent Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (also known as Pink Dolphin for their pinkish skin color). When night falls, be sure to grab your tickets for the land-and-water laser show, Songs of the Sea. With a stage built on waters and audience close to the shoreline, the laser effects and fireworks coupled with impressive performances by the artists left many with two thumbs-up.

About the Author. Michelle Lee. There is an idea behind every writing, and magic in bringing words to life. For Michelle, words create worlds beyond ours. A writer based in Singapore, Michelle seeks to inspire thoughts, ignite emotions, and explore the unfounded as much as boundaries can be ventured into. Her inspirations spiral from overseas escapades filled with wild diversities of culture and traditions. “Abandoning responsibilities, work and the hustles of life to a place where everything is fresh, new and alienated. That, is sheer fascination.”

From the Blog
Visiting Japan? We’ve got a list of things to do in Tokyo from Andy Hayes, nicely complementing Michelle’s list of things to do in Hokkaido.

We’ve also got a slew of stories on India and the Himalayas this month – from exploring Cape Comorin, India’s Southernmost Tip; Tibet, Roof of the World, and Kathmandu’s 4 Top Attractions.

And top that off, we have a list of 10 Stunning Mountain Attractions in India, ranging from the world-wide famous to the lesser known, serene hilltops and valleys.

From the Web
We all know Dubai is rich, luxurious, glamorous and all that. But this video here is truly the icing on the cake. Simply. Breathtakingly. Epic!

Spot Cool Stuff spotted this photos of towns located perilously close to the edge. Cool photos!

Some very unusual statues here on NerdAbout’s 10 Coolest Statues in the World. A melting silver blue cow? A man measuring the cloud? A shark crashing into the roof of the house? A big thumbs up!

And last, but definitely not least, some facts you had never known about Australia. Kanguru you said? Yups we never knew either.