Destinations > Nature & Environment
Hiking Ham Lon Mountain
A good hiking destination within easy reach of Hanoi…
Three Springs Silent Retreat
During Lunar New Year, I retreat into the mountains, valleys & streams that lie inland from the busy, festive & noisy coastal towns…
Rice Terraces of Northern Vietnam
An annual spectacle of colour & beauty, the shimmering rice terraces of northern Vietnam are one of the country’s most iconic sights…
Camping, Hiking & Cloud-Hunting in Cau Dat
Wild camp above the clouds in a haunting & beautiful landscape near Cầu Đất village in the Central Highlands…
Hiking the Con Dao Islands
One of the most pristine natural environments in Vietnam, several hiking trails traverse the Con Dao Islands offering sensational views…
Fresh Herbs & Spices in Vietnamese Food
A gardener & home cook walks you through the most commonly used fresh herbs & spices that are fundamental to Vietnamese cuisine & culture…
Ode to a Banyan Tree
Temples of the forest, banyan trees are great, natural edifices rich in cultural, spiritual & folkloric symbolism. A bridge between the human, natural & spirit worlds, banyan trees are found all over Vietnam…
Ode to the Ocean
Throughout human history, the sea has been both dangerous and generous: a cause of destruction and death, but also a source of food, fun, wealth and beauty…
First Rains: An Ode to the Monsoon
Monsoon downpours & tropical storms are the quintessential expression of the tropics, representing the exotic & the mysterious. For me, the monsoon embodies the excitement & romance of living far from home….
Plants, Flowers & Trees of Vietnam
The colours, shapes, sizes, smells & variety of flora in Vietnam is mesmerizing. In this guide I’ve compiled an illustrated index of some of the flowers, plants & trees I regularly see in Vietnam’s countryside & cities….
Sustainable Travel: Single-Use Plastic in Vietnam
By making some simple changes to way I travel & live in Vietnam, I’m trying to reduce the amount of single-use plastic I consume. Here’s my experience….
The Southern Dry Season: Travel Guide
A period of glorious, warm, sunny weather in the lower regions of Vietnam, the southern dry season lasts from November to May. Here are some of the best places to travel & stay during this time of year.
Vietnam Weather Guide: When & Where to Go
A month-by-month guide to weather conditions across Vietnam, including recommendations of where to go (and where to avoid) at different times of year…
Trash Talk: Litter in Vietnam’s Beauty Spots
Vietnam is an extraordinarily beautiful country, but thousands of scenic areas across the nation are increasingly ruined by trash. A major catalyst for litter in beauty spots are picnickers, who neglect to clean up after themselves….