Asia

  • Asia,  China,  Japan,  TDM,  Tips,  Vietnam

    October 2020 Favorites: Books to discover Asian Culture

    We aren’t (yet) confined to Italy but it is surely only a matter of weeks, considering the curve of positive coronavirus cases. I have a rather long list of books to read, but I will give you the books I have already read and loved, to accompany you during the evenings of confinement. This month, we will talk about books or films that help us better understand Asian (or Eastern) culture and beliefs. The list I give you isn’t mainstream. It’s not a list of Asian bestsellers, on the contrary. Journey to the East by Nguyên Phong (link): Since I am Vietnamese, I start with a Vietnamese author, whom I…

  • Around the world,  Asia,  Country Guides,  During the World Tour,  Preparations,  TDM,  Vietnam

    Which visa for Vietnam? Visa Exemption, Visa on Arrival, e-Visa

    Type of visa Duration Entries Cost Validity Possible extension ? Visa exemption 15 days 1 0€ All border crossings No e-visa 30 days 1 25$ Some border crossings Yes but expensive Visa to be applied for at theVietnameseembassy inFrance 30 days 1 60€ Yes 30 days Multiple 80€ Yes 90 days 1 80€ Yes 90 days Multiple 130€ Yes Visa on Invitation 30 days 1 50$ Yes 30 days Multiple 55$ Yes 90 days 1 70$ Yes 90 days Multiple 75$ Yes Visa exemption The visa waiver for a maximum of 15 days applies to citizens of the following countries: France, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Finland, Germany,…

  • Asia,  Storytime,  TDM,  Vietnam

    [story time] My family home in Hanoi in the 90’s

    I never met my maternal great-grandfather, but I was told his story last year. He was born into a poor family in the country. At that time, every village had a teacher, called Ông đồ. Only wealthy families could send their children to the village teacher. My great-grandfather worked for this teacher and while tending the garden, he was able to listen to some classes. He was very intelligent and was able to assimilate the lessons himself and learn to write. When the teacher noticed, he gave him some private lessons for free. His resourcefulness was such that years later he was able to buy his first piece of land…

  • Asia,  TDM,  Tips,  Vietnam

    News: Vietnam and Coronavirus: Drastic measures & Quarantine

    Updated : 16/03/2020 To give a bit of info about Vietnam, since I am Vietnamese and read the articles in Vietnamese. On the French forums, I am told about “drastic measures” in Vietnam at the moment – without knowing the reason. So I’m going to bring you more information because you won’t necessarily find it in French. On March 2, 2020, while the country was no longer registering new cases, a Vietnamese woman carrying the virus returned to Vietnam (case n°17) – after having travelled through Italy, France and England(source en fr). After trying to hide her itinerary and trying to hide at home, she had to be hospitalized on…

  • Around the world,  Asia,  Country Guides,  During the World Tour,  TDM,  Tips,  Vietnam

    A day in Hanoi (Vietnam) off the beaten track

    I was supposed to return to Ha Noi at the end of February and organize a day of accompanied visit for some digital nomads present at the same time in Ha Noi, but our flight was cancelled and we couldn’t find an economical alternative flight. So, here is the program that I was planning to organize in Ha Noi, off the beaten track:The idea is to discover the places frequented by the locals and not stay only around the 36 streets of the old neighborhood Morning Breakfast is very important for Vietnamese people. Instead of eating a Phở like all the other tourists, why not try other things. Vietnamese people…

  • Around the world,  Asia,  China,  During the World Tour,  TDM,  Tips

    Coronavirus & China Southern Airlines: Flight Cancellation / Refunds

    The spread of Coronavirus is dramatically disrupting global air traffic Many airlines are cancelling their flights to and from China. We are concerned since we have a flight planned in 3 weeks to make the trip from Mexicoto Vietnamwith a stopover in Guangzhouin China. The Guangzhou – Hanoi flight that we were initially supposed to take has probably been cancelled since we have been moved to another flight that will take off 12 hours later (big stopover of 15 hours in perspective). For those who have a flight planned with China Southern Airlines and who would like to modify / cancel it, the company has communicated the conditions on its…

  • Around the world,  Asia,  Country Guides,  During the World Tour,  Our Itinerary,  TDM,  Tips,  Vietnam

    Itinerary 19 days in Vietnam – North to Center: Ha Noi, Ha Long, Ha Giang, Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An

    Here is the program we have planned for the trip of a friend, who came to Vietnam for the first time. We chose to replace Sa Pa with Ha Giang, for a more authentic and wow experience. As Ha Long Bay is one of the priorities of his visit to Vietnam, we have chosen to incorporate a 3 day 2 night boat tour, allowing us to visit both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, which is also less known and less frequented. Ha Noi being my hometown, I chose to come back to Ha Noi between 2 big excursions. It is the ideal place to recharge your batteries, because…

  • Around the world,  Asia,  China,  Country Guides,  During the World Tour,  TDM,  Tips,  Vietnam

    [Travel Guide] Itinerary 19 days in China, from Beijing to Hanoi in Independent (Bus, Train, Plane) – from China to Vietnam

    Even if we were not interested in China during our 1st World Tour (in favor of the Philippines), we decided to go there anyway during our 2nd World Tour. Here is the 19 days itinerary that I recommend for China. The idea is to cross China from Beijing to Vietnam. Beijing (3 days) Datong (2 days) Xian (2 days) Zhangjiajie (4 days) Phoenix City (4 days) Yangshuo (2 days) Ghangzhou (1.5 days) Hanoi or Hong Kong & Macau, your choice Comments on the itinerary Everything can be done by train or bus, but I put a few trips by plane (if your finances allow) because I consider this particular train…

  • Around the world,  Asia,  China,  During the World Tour,  TDM,  Tips

    Group eVisa for China – an attractive option for Round the World Travelers

    In preparation for our future trip to China, we inquired about different options for obtaining a visa for China from the country we are in. The easiest and cheapest option is to apply for a group evisa. The group evisa for China must berequested through a travel agency This type of visa has been around for ages No need to give fingerprints. Fingerprints will be taken when you arrive at the scene The evisa will not be issued by the country from which you are applying, it is issued directly from China, by the Chinese authorities: National Immigration Administration (Exit and Entry Administration) of the People’s Republic of China So…

  • Around the world,  Asia,  During the World Tour,  Myanmar,  TDM,  Tips

    Prepaid 4G SIM card in Burma: How much does it cost? Where to buy it? What speed? Speedtest (2020)

    During our world tour in 2016, we fell in love with Burma. At that time we were not writing articles about SIM cards or taking speed readings but we noticed that it would be complicated to come to Burma as a digital nomad because of the slow internet speed. Thanks to my former colleague Maxime, who also became a globe trotter, we have fresh information and the situation has changed. So we’ll probably go back to Burma in 2020 🙂 How much does a SIM card cost in Burma? It is possible to buy a SIM card directly at the airport and the prices are particularly interesting. There are several…