I’ve been to Hanoi for work a few times throughout 2013 to 2015. In those working days, I also took the chance to tour around the city with my colleagues. I think all the interesting places I visited, which I’m about to share, could be compressed into a single day tour of Hanoi.

In Hanoi, there are a number of sites to visit for gaining knowledge, learning cultures, connecting with people or just simply to relax. Hanoi is an old city, existed for hundreds of years, and has been the capital of the Dai Viet people for centuries. Thus the city is rich in original Dai Viet history & heritage, also modern history & depiction of the current state & regime of Vietnam. There are many lakes in the city which provide a soothing view to the capital city.

Continue reading My Sparse Experience In Hanoi

June 2014 – My mother & youngest brother came to visit me & my kids here in Vietnam. Having said that, we all took the opportunity to travel to the central coast of Vietnam, to the city of Nha Trang. It took about an hour flight from HCMC. Flying by night, the most eye-catching view from above the Nha Trang skyline is the lights from the cable car structures connecting the mainland to Hon Tre island. The cable car is the longest over water cable car in the world spanning 3 km long.
Spending some 3 days here, we went around the coastal city to indulge in its history, nature and recreational development.

Continue reading Nha Trang & The World’s Longest Over Sea Cable Car

Tamadun Champa sebelum kedatangan Islam kaya dengan seni yang bertemakan mistik dan percampuran agama dan kepercayaan tempatan.

Kuil Po Nagar di Nha Trang, Vietnam ini antara struktur Champa kuno yang masih berdiri dan terpelihara hingga ke hari ini, sebagai bukti bangsa ini merupakan bangsa yang halus jiwa artistiknya dan mampu membangunkan struktur2 yang mampu tahan ujian zaman.

Continue reading Po Nagar: Tinggalan Kesenian Champa

24 Nov 2013 – Our family took part in the annual Terry Fox run in Ho Chi Minh City. The yearly charity event is meant to collect funds for cancer research, spreading awareness of the cause, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. There were literally thousands of people who participated in the campaign. People came from all of sorts, from adults, the old, the young, corporate representatives, school children, & families. The event was non-competitive, so many people jogged or simply walked or even went half way. Some even stopped by at the many mini-marts along the way to buy a drink, ice-cream or some snacks.

Continue reading Our 1st Terry Fox Run

#WeekendChillout. Some 40 km away from Ho Chi Minh City, lies one of the largest tourism complex in Vietnam, Dai Nam Park. The unique mega park is inclusive of a complete zoo, amusement park, a man made beach and religious (buddhist) sanctuaries.

My family & I enjoyed this place so much that we visited this place twice this year. The place, like many other Vietnamese theme parks, is large yet calm and not crowded. It’s perfect for my family that doesn’t like to queue up nor press around for space.

During our first visit, we covered most of the places in the complex; strolled the zoo, walked by the big temples, ventured around the amusement park & finally went for a swim at the artificial beach to close the day.

For our second visit, we spent the whole day only at the zoo & the beach, which are the 2 most interesting places, in my opinion.

Continue reading There’s No Place Like.. Dai Nam

Vung Tau is a sea port city 100 km east of Ho Chi Minh City. There are shipyards, fabrication yards, supply base, ships & rigs in transit. But Vung Tau is also the place for tourism, a beach getaway & fine seafood.

My family & I made it to Vung Tau at least 3 times in 2013. We basically made day trips each time and almost repeated the same activities, but with different family guests from our home country. However , each trip never failed to excite us. In this post, I will share about our whole day trip itinerary and other optional activities in Vung Tau

Continue reading Never Tired of Vung Tau

Sempena Ramadhan tahun ini, kami komuniti Malaysia di Ho Chi Minh City mengadakan lawatan amal ke perkampungan Cham di Xa Phu Rieng. Perjalanan ke sana dari HCMC mengambil masa dalam sejam. Sesudah menyimpang dari jalan utama, kami terpaksa mengharungi jalan yang berdebu melalui ladang2 dan tanah kebun sebelum sampai ke kampung Cham.

Seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya, kami menghulurkan bantuan asas untuk menghadapi bulan Ramadhan seperti beras & kurma, juga bantuan kewangan.

Tentu saja pilu hati menyaksikan nasib kaum Islam yang terpinggir dari kemudahan dan kemajuan zaman. Namun, kita hanya mampu membantu semampunya. Kalau ada peluang, sesuatu yang saya ingin berikan kepada anak2 Cham bukanlah semata-mata gula-gula, tetapi ilmu.

Continue reading Jejak Hidayah Phu Rieng

April 2013 – We’re all hyped up for this next adventure. This time, we’re heading for Dalat. A city located on the central highlands of Vietnam, but in the southern area. It’s elevation is about 1.5 km above sea level. The city has a temperate weather, and is well known for it’s flowers, pine trees and french dominated architecture.

Driving up will take approximately 8 hours. Alternatively, you could fly up to Dalat with most local flights. We drove up to Dalat for the adventure of it and to enjoyed the countryside scenery. But we had to allocate 2 traveling days just for this.

Continue reading Dalat: Hidden Wonders In The Highlands

January 2013 – Kembara kali ini ke Phan Thiet & Mui Ne, pesisiran pantai Vietnam dengan perjalanan 5-6 jam dari Ho Chi Minh City. Ianya satu tempat makan angin, jauh dari kesibukan kota dan mempunyai daya tarik tersendiri. Kami menyewa apartment dengan private pool di Pegasus Resort, di teluk Ke Ga, yang terletak dalam 30 km dari Bandar Phan Thiet.

Tempat berkunjung pertama kami adalah Masjid di Xuan Loc di Dong Nai, yang merupakan masjid terbesar di Vietnam. Kami sempat solat dan bermesra dengan beberapa penduduk tempatan yang sudi melayani kami sambil kami makan tengahhari. Masjid ini dibangunkan dengan biaya dari tokoh2 & masyarakat Saudi yang prihatin terhadap nasib masyarakat Islam Cham di Vietnam.

Continue reading Phan Thiet – Mui Ne