For most travellers, Siem Reap has been little more than a departure point for exploring Angkor Wat and the other Angkor temples. Yet it hasn’t always been that way. And once again the riverside city is offering visitors more to do than scramble archaeological sites. Today it’s great shopping town, so below is our Siem … Read more
We flew to Phnom Penh from Bangkok to do a story for an Asian travel magazine for a section called The Buzz, which meant we had to cover places that hummed – the best, busiest, most talked-about spots in the city. These are the chicest boutiques in Phnom Penh right now and here’s the best way to shop … Read more
Like all South East Asian cities, the Cambodian capital has a few standout markets that are worth a wander to soak up the atmosphere, snack at the food stalls, and, naturally, shop for souvenirs. Here’s our mini-guide to the best Phnom Penh markets for visitors to the city. The Best Phnom Penh Markets The Night … Read more
The much-maligned shopping mall makes sense in steamy Bangkok, especially during monsoon season – just as it does in the oppressive heat of Dubai. Whereas the gritty streets of both cities offer few opportunities to escape the elements, air-conditioned shopping centres provide a respite from the humidity and, in Bangkok’s case in particular at this … Read more
Interestingly, the subject that seems to most inspire Saigon’s contemporary designers is the past – the tumultuous historic events of the 1960s and 1970s, along with Vietnam’s traditional culture, heritage, arts, and crafts. The story of Vietnamese-Australian designer, artist and entrepreneur Mai Lam is similar to other returning Vietnamese we met in Saigon: after losing … Read more