The city of Nyaung Shwe is easily accessible from any of the major cities in Myanmar (buses run daily from Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan), and boasts one of the country’s most popular  attractions: Inle Lake. At 22km long and 11km wide, Inle Lake and the surrounding mountains are both…

Within only two and a half years of the border opening to tourists again, Myanmar (Burma) is quickly earning a reputation as a “must-see” country in SE Asia; between the stunning landscape and friendly people, it’s not hard to see why. As more and more tourists infiltrate the pristinely…

There is no shortage of sights to see in Hanoi, Vietnam; as the capital and second largest city in the country, the city of Hanoi is both historically and culturally rich. No matter your particular interest, Hanoi has something to capture the attention of any and every traveler. 1.…

It seems that each major SE Asian city has a focal point for tourists around which their visit revolves – as Bangkok has Khao San, Phnom Penh has the riverfront, and Ho Chi Minh has District 1, so Hanoi has the Old Quarter (Top 5 places to see in…

Ninh Binh (pronounced Ning-Bing) is an up-and-coming tourist destination in Northern Vietnam, especially for those seeking to enjoy a scenic day trip from Hanoi. Located about two hours south of Hanoi, and easily accessible by bus, Ninh Binh is a great place to escape the chaos of the city…

I’ll begin simply by saying that being a vegetarian in Vietnam is hard. It’s not impossible. But it’s hard. Vietnam is known as a Mecca for foodies – just ask famous epicure Anthony Bourdain, who claims that Vietnam is his favorite place on earth to eat. The street food…

At the end of one of Hanoi’s many unassuming, narrow alleys in the Old Quarter lies a small sliding glass door. Inside, artisans young and old can be found seated in small wooden chairs, cutting, punching, and sewing immaculate creations.  (NOTE* – Mammon has moved to 33/135 Doi Can…

It is quite common for an influx of tourism in any given place to drastically alter the geography, population, and experience of a country or city. However, even as a tourism boom continues to hit Vietnam, it seems that the Northern capital of Hanoi has managed to maintain a…

While the cities and landscapes of each Southeast Asian country are drastically diverse, one thing remains constant no matter which borders you cross: the motorbike. Hindered by a high tax on cars, relatively high gas prices, and an immense amount of traffic to weave through, driving a motorbike is…