First Timer’s Travel

All the things you need to know for your first trip to Southeast Asia. Discover all about what makes a successful trip to Indochina.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Vietnam FAQs: What to know before you go

Travel consultant Charlotte Bower has done her fair share of globetrotting, including countless trips to Vietnam. With her go-to guide to all those practical matters, you’ll be boarding that plane in no time.

Fire Boat Festival, Luang Prabang, Laos

5 alternatives to the Hoi An Lantern Festival

The Hoi An Lantern Festival is beautiful, there’s no doubt about it, but when it comes to waterborne parties and flickering lanterns floating downstream you don’t need to be in Hoi An. Or Vietnam, for that matter. Southeast Asia has plenty of equally magical festivals, with far fewer visitors. Here are just 5 of our […]

Phone Phao Temple, Luang Prabang

Getting over jetlag: Night owls vs early birds

The InsideAsia team have racked up more than a few air miles, but while few things are as worthwhile as travel (it is the only thing that makes you richer, after all), criss-crossing time zones is unlikely to be one of the highlights. Travel consultants Dylan and Charlotte (UK) and Amy and Grant (US), along with Senior Southeast Asia Product Executive Chris share their […]

24 hours in Hoi An

24 Hours in Hoi An

Chances are, you’ll want to spend far longer than 24 hours in Hoi An – this pretty town remains a firm favourite amongst first-time visitors. But if you don’t have much time, Travel Consultant Dylan has a plan for how to make every moment matter.

Ock Pop Tock Living Crafts Centre 2 (1)

7 of the best souvenirs in Southeast Asia

We all love those reminders of our holiday-of-a-lifetime and treat our friends to gifts not found in our home countries, but how often are you actually going to wear that conical hat? And are your friends really going to put that Buddha statue on their mantelpiece?

Streets of Hoi An, Vietnam

Photo blog: Highlights of Hoi An, Vietnam

With no less than 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Vietnam isn’t short of highlights, but there’s one place that never fails to capture the imagination: Hoi An. So, what is it that makes this pretty port town so popular? Tyler Palma captures just a few highlights of Hoi An on our Highlights of Vietnam Small Group […]