Travel Bug Within

A travel blog inspiring mid-life adventurers to chase their wanderlust and explore further

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Australia
      • New South Wales
      • Northern Territory
      • Queensland
      • South Australia
      • Tasmania
      • Victoria
      • Western Australia
    • Fiji
    • New Zealand
    • Asia
      • Bali
      • Hong Kong
      • Japan
      • Thailand
      • UAE
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
    • Iceland
    • Ireland
    • United Kingdom
      • England
      • Scotland
      • Wales
    • USA
      • Hawaii
  • My Adventures
    • Solo
    • Family
    • Single Mum Travel Tales
  • Travel Advice
    • My Top Five or Ten
    • Hotel and Restaurant Reviews
    • Book Reviews
  • Other Stories
    • Feature profile and lifestyle stories
  • About
    • About Me with the travel bug
    • Contact
    • Why the name Travel Bug Within

How to travel responsibly in Hoi An, Vietnam

April 2, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

What I learnt about travelling responsibly in Hoi An With Earth Day fast approaching on April 22nd, Silkwinds, the in-flight magazine of Silk Air (the regional airline for Singapore Airlines) reached out to contributors on the topic of Sustainable Tourism. Here's my small contribution about a noodle making experience in Hoi An, featured on p. 43 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Stories "outside" of the Travel genre, Vietnam Tagged With: Sondra Stewart, Streets International, sustainable tourism in Vietnam, sustainable tourisn, Travelling responsibly, travelling responsibly in Vietnam

There’s more to Hoi An than bespoke clothing

November 12, 2017 By Jennifer Johnston 2 Comments

Hoi An Highlights The town of Hoi An was one of my Vietnam highlights. Because this year (2017) is the United Nation International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, I wanted to write about how you can travel “responsibly” in Hoi An. Situated on Vietnam’s central coast, Hoi An once a busy port is now a hot spot for a different commodity … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Vietnam Tagged With: #discovervietnam, #GAdventures, #Gadventuretours, G Adventures, How to travel responsibly in Vietnam, making a difference in Vietnam, responsible travel in Hoi An Vietnam, Streets International, Streets International program in Hoi An, things to do in Hoi An, Travel tips for Hoi An, Vietnam, What to do in Hoi An Vietnam

Where to get a drink in Hoi An the top five bars I recommend

November 12, 2017 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

The bars I recommend in Hoi An When the sun dips and nighttime descends on Hoi An, the streets of the old town magically transform into a labyrinth of colour. The strands of multicolored Japanese lanterns casting an ethereal glow add to the special atmosphere. Wander the town's streets and absorb the festive ambiance. Make the most of the lack of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, My Top Ten or Five, Vietnam Tagged With: #discovervietnam, Bars in Hoi An, nightlife in Hoi An, Top five bars in Hoi An, Vietnam, where to go for a drink in Hoi An

Day Spa in Hoi An

November 12, 2017 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Relaxation and pamper in Hoi An Another favourite activity in Vietnam was the spa visits for massage, facials, pedicures, and manicures. Thanks to Rachel in our tour group, who did the research and initial test (after which she gave the thumbs up,) a number of us made appointments at *Palmarosa spa, located conveniently around the corner from our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Single Mum Travel Tales, Vietnam Tagged With: Hoi An day spa, Palmarosa day spa in Hoi An, Palmarosa spa in Hoi An, Recommended spa in Hoi An, Review Palmarosa spa Hoi An Vietnam, where to get a massage in Hoi An Vietnam, where to relax and treat yourself in Hoi An

Cambodia on the radar

July 28, 2017 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

A chance to win a trip to Cambodia A few years ago I had one of the best experiences travelling through Vietnam.  Travelling solo and my first visit to Vietnam I decided to take a tour – let someone else worry about the logistics. I also managed to tack on some additional days on either side of the tour and travelled independently doing my own … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Vietnam Tagged With: #BackTrackAdventures, #PeregrineTravelCentreQld, #Travelblogger, Discover Cambodia, how to see Cambodia, Travel Bug, Win a trip to Cambodia

How travel opens up my world

July 4, 2017 By Jennifer Johnston 3 Comments

Meet an extraordinary human being: My Huong Le Travelling provides opportunities. Through travel, we get to experience some amazing new places, learn about different cultures, try new foods and attempt to communicate in other languages. But one of my favourite aspects of travelling is the people you meet. During my travels through Vietnam in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Vietnam Tagged With: Lift Magazine, Long Hai Learning Centre Vung Tau, My Huong Le, orphanage in Vietnam, socially aware in Vietnam, travelling for good, Vietnam

Vietnam – mosquitoes and soft tofu

May 7, 2016 By Jennifer Johnston 4 Comments

Where to stay on the Mekong Delta Tourists are drawn to Ho Chi Minh City because of its history and culture, but the city’s hustle and bustle can be overwhelming.  Consider escaping to the Mekong Delta where the pace of life is much slower.      I can clearly see Ben Thanh Market's belfry and clock. It’s across the road, only two lanes of traffic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Solo, Vietnam Tagged With: #Travelblogger, Discover Vietnam, escape Ho Chi Minh City, escape Saigon, Fresh markets in Vietnam, Mekong Delta, Mekong Delta Region, Nguyen Shack Mekong Delta, travel, travel blogger explores Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam highlights, Vietnamese Floating markets, Vietnamese tofu, what to do away from Saigon, what to see and do in the Mekong Delta, where to stay for a special Vietnamese experience

Saigon – my five insider tips

April 17, 2016 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Best things to do in Saigon Nestled adjacent to the Saigon River, some 80 kilometres from the South China Sea – Ho Chi Minh City is the main commercial and economic hub for Vietnam. With nine million people and over six million motorbikes bursting onto the city streets at all hours of the day and night, Ho Chi Minh City is a mesmerising chaos, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, My Top Ten or Five, Vietnam Tagged With: #discovervietnam, Discover Saigon, Five Insider Tips to Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Luxe experiences in Saigon, Saigon, Shopping an bars in Saigon, travel, Vietnam, what to do in Ho Chi Minh City, what to see and do in Saigon

Saigon’s Cuc Gach Quan – Brangelina love it

November 30, 2015 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Where to dine in Saigon If it's good enough for Brangelina it's good enough for me! (Post updated June 2020 during the quiet non-travel times of Covid-19.) In November 2011, four years after adopting their second child Pax Thien, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie returned to Vietnam. They were spotted eating at Cuc Gach Quan - a restaurant in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Hotel and Restaurant Reviews, South East Asia, Vietnam Tagged With: Brangelina, Cuc Gach Quan Restaurant, Cuch Gach Quan Review, eating out in Saigon, G Adventures, Holidays, Neat places to eat in Ho Chi Minh City, popular place to eat in Saigon, Travel Vietnam, Vietnam, where to eat in Saigon

Who is Travel Bug Within?

A mid-life adventurer sharing stories about interesting places in an honest and occasionally sarcastic way.

I hope to tickle your wanderlust and encourage you to explore further via Travel Bug Within

Jennifer x

Logo of the Australian Society of Travel Writers

For feature stories click on the bird logo linking to my personal website

Copyright Jennifer Johnston 2014 • Site by Swish Design