TripTard Travel Notes

Two days in Ho Chi Minh City? Here is a realistic plan covering the city highlights, the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, written for travellers from India. Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is often the starting or ending point of a Vietnam trip from India. It is energetic, full of motorbikes and street food, and a great base for two of southern Vietnam's best-known day trips. With two days, you have to choose, so here is how to make the most of them. Day 1 morning: the city's history Start at the War Remnants Museum , one of the most visited museums in Vietnam. It is moving and sometimes graphic, so families with young children may want to limit time in certain galleries. Then walk to the colonial-era Saigon Central Post Office and the nearby cathedral area, and continue to the Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), preserved much as it was in 1975. Day 1 afternoon and evening: markets and the riverside Spend the afternoon at Ben Thanh Market for...

Da Nang and Hoi An sit side by side in central Vietnam and make a perfect three-day stop. Here is a relaxed plan for travellers from India. Central Vietnam has become a favourite with Indian travellers, helped by beaches, the famous Golden Bridge and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An. Da Nang has the airport and the beach hotels. Hoi An, about 45 minutes away by road, has the charm. Three days is enough to enjoy both without rushing. Day 1: Da Nang city and the Marble Mountains Settle into a hotel along My Khe Beach, one of Vietnam's best city beaches. In the afternoon, visit the Marble Mountains , five limestone hills with caves, pagodas and viewpoints. There is a lift up one of the hills, but expect plenty of steps inside. In the evening, look out for the Dragon Bridge across the Han River, which is lit up at night and on some evenings breathes fire and water. Day 2: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge Spend the day at Ba Na Hills , reached by a long cable-car ride into the ...

Skyscrapers and malls are only half of Dubai. Here is a half-day route through Old Dubai, from the Al Fahidi neighbourhood across the creek to the souks of Deira, planned for travellers from India. Most first-time visitors spend their days around Downtown Dubai and the Marina. But the city began on the banks of Dubai Creek, and the old neighbourhoods there have a completely different feel: narrow lanes, wind towers, wooden boats and busy markets. For many Indian travellers it is also the most familiar part of Dubai, with spice shops, gold traders and plenty of Indian food. When to go This is a walking route, so timing matters. From November to March, a morning start or a late afternoon start both work well. In the hotter months, go only in the late afternoon and finish after dark, when the souks are at their liveliest. Stop 1: Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood Start in Al Fahidi (often called Bastakiya), a restored quarter of sand-coloured houses with traditional wind towers tha...

Short on time in northern Vietnam? Here is how a Ha Long Bay day trip compares with an overnight cruise, so you can choose the right one for your trip from India. Ha Long Bay is the one place almost every Indian traveller wants to see in Vietnam. Thousands of limestone islands rise straight out of emerald water, and the scenery lives up to the photos. The big decision is whether to see it on a day trip from Hanoi or to stay overnight on a cruise. Both work, but they suit different kinds of trips. The distance from Hanoi Ha Long is roughly two and a half to three hours from Hanoi by road on the expressway, each way. That means a day trip involves around five to six hours of driving, with about four to five hours on the water. It is a long but manageable day. An overnight cruise uses the same drive, but spreads it over two days. The day trip: best for tight itineraries Who it suits: travellers with only three or four days in the north, older travellers who prefer their own hotel ...

Almost every Indian family that plans a Dubai holiday puts a desert safari on the list, usually right after Burj Khalifa. The problem is that "desert safari" covers half a dozen very different trips. Some are three-hour adrenaline runs, some are relaxed evenings built around dinner, and some keep you in the desert overnight. Picking the wrong one is the most common reason people come back saying the safari was "just okay". This guide walks through the main formats so you can match one to your group. 1. The classic evening safari: the default choice for most first-timers The evening safari is what most people picture. You are picked up from your hotel in the afternoon, driven out to the dunes, and spend the late afternoon on dune bashing in a 4x4, a short camel ride and sandboarding. You stay for sunset and then move to a desert camp for a barbecue dinner and evening entertainment before the drive back to the city. Good for: first visits, mixed-age groups, cou...

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur is often a stopover between India and Singapore, Bali or Langkawi, but it deserves at least a full day. Here is a plan that works with jet lag and humidity, followed by the best second-day options. Day 1: The essential Kuala Lumpur 8:00 – Batu Caves. Go early to beat the heat and crowds. Entry to the main Temple Cave is free; climbing the 272 rainbow steps takes about 10 minutes. Dress modestly, since knees and shoulders must be covered (sarongs are available at the bottom). 11:00 – Merdeka Square and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Colonial architecture and the giant flagpole; Central Market next door for batik and souvenirs. 13:00 – Lunch in Little India (Brickfields). Banana-leaf rice and South Indian vegetarian food are everywhere. 15:00 – KLCC Park and Aquaria KLCC. Good for kids, and indoors during the afternoon heat. 17:30 – Petronas Twin Towers Skybridge and Observation Deck. Book a time slot online in advance, because sunse...

James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay Phuket has more than a dozen popular island day trips, and most first-time visitors from India have time for only two or three. This guide compares the main ones honestly (what you see, how long you spend on the boat, and who each trip suits), so you can pick without regret. Quick comparison Tour Best for Boat time Season Phi Phi Islands + Maya Bay First-timers, photos ~1 hr each way (speedboat) Nov–Apr best James Bond Island / Phang Nga Bay Families, anyone prone to seasickness Calm, sheltered water All year Coral Island + Racha Kids, half-day, snorkelling 15–30 min All year (rougher May–Oct) Similan Islands Best water and diving ~1.5 hrs from Khao Lak Mid-Oct to mid-May only Krabi 4 Islands (from Phuket) Combining with a Krabi stay Long if done from Phuket Nov–Apr 1. Phi Phi Islands – the classic Maya Bay (of the film The Beach ), Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and a snorkelling stop. Take a speedboat that leaves by 7:30 am : you reach Maya Bay before the ...