by Cassidy Armbruster Don’t base your judgement of the Bình Tây market on the way it looks and feels on the outside, because I’ll admit the outside feels jam packed and overwhelming. When you step into what looks like a black hole, you step into a maze of vendors and products. However, unlike Saigon’s Ben...Read More
by Cassidy Armbruster We give flowers to ask for forgiveness, to celebrate a graduation, to greet a friend, to mourn a loved one, or to show affection to someone, and I was reminded today at the flower market in Saigon that this flower culture humans have created is a universal one. Of course, there are...Read More
by Cassidy Armbruster No matter the mode of transportation, you’ll get to Siem Reap/Phnom Penh in one piece! None of the options are necessarily dangerous, but each have pros and cons that you may want to consider before making the trek across Cambodia. I hope this advice helps guide your decision in getting from Siem Reap to...Read More
by Cassidy Armbruster Water Beetles I know, it’s scary even to get rid of a beetle you find in your home, but trust me, it’s different here in Cambodia. The beetles are clean…and tasty! The female water beetles are much meatier, and are therefore sold at a higher price. The male water beetles have a...Read More
by Cassidy Armbruster Bamboo is engraved in Vietnamese culture and daily life, providing protection and representing resiliency. Bamboo can be manipulated in any shape or form to assist in the simplest or most complex of functions. Here in Vietnam, and especially in the countryside, bamboo is used for everything- from chopsticks, to chairs, to agricultural...Read More
by Cassidy Armbruster Yes, red lights are somewhat optional. Yes, the traffic is always buzzing. Yes, the sidewalks are constantly flooded with people. And don’t worry, you will get better at crossing the street. Ho Chi Minh City is a place of organized chaos, but its chaotic nonetheless. You may need a relaxing breath of...Read More
Tet is the celebration of the Lunar New Year in Vietnam. It is a tradition passed down from Chinese culture, but the Vietnamese have their own style of doing things. It’s the most important holiday of the year, and can be celebrated up to a whole month long. Companies have big Tet parties to celebrate...Read More
For all the vegetarians worried about not being able to eat anything but rice in Vietnam- don’t worry! Believe it or not, Vietnam has a variety of vegetarian dishes. One reason for this is the main religion of the country. A majority of Vietnam is Buddhist, and on the 1st and 15th day of each month...Read More
Markets in Southeast Asia are some of the most thriving parts of cities and towns. The sounds of people bargaining and the scents that waft through the air make an exciting shopping atmosphere unlike the airconditioned grocery stores many of us are used to back home. While walking through a typical market in Vietnam, you...Read More
We often get asked about tipping in Vietnam. Tipping is one of those things that varies from country to country, andoften travelers can get confused on the subject of tipping. So we are here to help clear that up. Frequently, people receive completely different answers to this question. Here are the most common occurrences when...Read More
