The Word Ha Noi

Singaporeans like to talk of the Lion City as the capital of Southeast Asian cuisine. But for price, taste and pure quality, the region’s best street food destination is Penang. Elisabeth Rosen takes a trip to this former British colony lying to the northwest of mainland Malaysia

Forums such as travelblog.org are full of reports of hotels given bad reviews under suspicious circumstances or long after the guest has stayed. Steve Kaufer, head of Trip Advisor, told The Economist in an interview “someone on your team should be reading reviews”, implying that Trip Advisor is a fair and democratic platform where everyone has the right of response.

Check out what travel deals are on this month.

Not so long ago I found myself in need of a day away from the noise and commotion of Hanoi. I asked around for recommendations for somewhere interesting to spend a few hours; a quiet place a bit off the beaten track.

For years I disliked Vung Tau. I'm not alone. The beaches are unshaded and uncared for, the sea is dirty and there is a seedy element to the nightlife. Yet this has become a stereotype, a stereotype that should be ignored.