Halong Bay: Vietnam's UNESCO jewel

Halong Bay, a mystical seascape of limestone pillars and emerald waters, is Vietnam’s jewel and a place that feels both otherworldly and intimately tied to the rhythms of nature and history.

Make a splash at these amazing hotel swimming pools across Asia

Hotels love to boas about their pools, amongst other things. Here's a round-up of stunning swimming pools at hotels across Asia. Dive right in!

‘Teen Jok’ Owns the Pool

The tiles of Meliá Chiang Mai’s swimming pool are fashioned in a striking textile pattern to reference the local Chiang Mai culture. The tiling is a contemporary interpretation of textile patterns the locals call “teen jok”. Similar patterns are also evident on the exterior facade of the hotel visible from the swimming pool, which is adjacent to a shallow pool area for kids. The watery playground is home to two water slides, a rain curtain, water fountains and a giant tipping bucket. The large outdoor swimming pool on the hotel’s second floor anchors Tien Pool Bar, which also has a design that pays tribute to Chiang Mai. The pool bar’s distinctive red brickwork references Chiang Mai’s venerable landmark Tha Phae Gate.

The Anam Cam Ranh: Grounds for a Glorious Resort

Traveloscopy regular correspondent, John Savage, compares his green thumb to that of Vietnam's first five-star colonial beach resort. Our verdict is in. 

How many gardeners does it take to ensure the 12 hectares of gardens, grounds and lawns surrounding the stunning five-star The Anam in Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Peninsula remain pristine?

Bhutan: An untapped summer travel destination

Summer in Bhutan: A haven for nature, culture  and adventure seekers 

Must-do activities to experience the essence of summer in the Kingdom of Bhutan 

Welcome to Bhutan, a year-round haven nestled in the Himalayas. This summer, from June through August, experience the country's warm embrace, where temperatures linger pleasantly between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, complemented by gentle rainfall. Whether guests are drawn to serene natural settings or seeking thrilling adventures, Bhutan in summer is a tempting destination for every traveller.

On the streets of Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is a city where ancient history and modern development exist in an intricate dance, each step revealing layers of culture, conflict, and resilience. Rudi Romero paces the ancient streets.

In true Louis Theroux fashion, my journey through Hanoi was a deep dive into a city that feels both timeless and rapidly evolving, a place where the past and the present converge in fascinating ways.

Glimpses of old Saigon

Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City as it's officially known, is a city of contradictions. It is a place where the weight of history and the pulse of modernity coalesce in a vibrant tapestry of culture, commerce, and chaos. Rudi Romero explores the ancient metropolis dreaming of past times.

Images: Roderick Eime  || Main Image: Đào Minh Tự/Pexels

My journey to this captivating metropolis was like stepping into a Louis Theroux documentary—a deep dive into the eclectic blend of the past and the present that defines this urban sprawl.

History of Ho Chi Minh City's famous Hotel, Caravelle Saigon

Like so much of the former French Indochina, there are many stories of days gone by. Here in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City is arguably its most famous hotel, the Caravelle.

In the early 1950s, when the colons were still running the show and Saigon was still very much a French concern, two entrepreneurs, Monsieurs Antonin Emery and Marius Mallein, set out to build the tallest, most luxurious and modern hotel the city had ever seen. Indochina was booming, and demand for upscale accommodation was on the rise.