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INSIDER TIP If the heat, noise and traffi c

have overwhelmed you by the end of the day, slip away to the chilled-out garden setting of Chez Thuy – a French-owned bar and grill – for a game of pétanque and an apéritif or two. 41 Ngo 76, An Duong, tel: +84 (0)9 1508 5305

CHEAP EATS The alluring aroma of bun cha

(marinated charcoal-grilled pork patties and slivers of lean bacon served with rice noodles) wafting through the streets at lunchtime is said to raise sick men from their beds. The family-run joints at 20 Ta Hien and 36 Le Van Huu are worth hunting down.

TOP TABLES Pots ’n’ Pans serves up

Vietnamese dishes prepared using innovative techniques and a savvy awareness of the fi ner points of culinary presentation. 57 Bui Thi Xuan, tel: +84 (0)4 3944 0204

LATE & LIVELY CAMA ATK is a hip cocktail

bar-cum-music venue with a basement. Expect old-fashioned concoctions and the coolest tunes in town. Open Wed to Sat, 7pm-midnight. 73 Mai Hac De, www.cama-atk.com

OVERNIGHT The centrally located Maison

d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel is the pick of boutique inns downtown. 35-37 Hang Trong, tel: +84 (0)4 3938 0999, www.hanovahotel.com

HanoiVIETNAM

Colourfully dressed dancers

SHOP TALK A number of streets

around Dong Xuan Market in the Old Quarter morph into a night bazaar after 6pm on weekends. You can fi nd a wide variety of goods here along with food stalls.

INSIDER TIPWhile Saigonese are

predominantly Buddhist, there is an ethnic minority that follows Hinduism. The Sri Thendayyutthapani Temple serves as a place of worship for the city’s Tamil and Champa people. 66 Ton That Thiep, District 1

CHEAP EATSAdored for its pho (beef

noodle soup) by locals and visitors alike, Pho Quynh draws full houses at all hours of the day. 323 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, tel: +84 (0)9 0305 9066

TOP TABLESBe treated like Bedouin

royalty at Warda, arguably Saigon’s prime North African/Middle Eastern inspired eatery. Order a scrumptious lamb dish in the Arabesque-designed dining room. 71/7 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1, tel: +84 (0)8 3823 3822

LATE & LIVELYLook past the awkward

moniker and just enjoy the fusion of Japanese and South American styles at Blanchy’s Tash. 95 Hai Ba Trung, District 1, tel: +84 (0)9 0902 8293

OVERNIGHTThe Rex Hotel is steeped

in history. Relax on the rooftop terrace overlooking Le Loi Ave. 141 Nguyen Hue, District 1, tel: +84 (0)8 3829 2185, www.rexhotelvietnam.com

Hat YaiTHAILAND

Ho Chi Minh CityVIETNAM

INSIDER TIPAside from the town's

ubiquitous auto rickshaws or tuk-tuks (so-called because of the engine’s chugging sound), motorbike taxis are a popular form of public transport.

SHOP TALK Waterways have always

been the main transport link for people in Thailand, so Klong Hae Floating Market is not only a great place to buy souvenirs and try local delicacies, it's a microcosm of local life. www.klonghaecity.org

TOP TABLESFuji Restaurant holds its own

against stiff competition from newly opened Japanese outlets in Hat Yai thanks to its ocean-fresh sushi, fast service and operating theatre-grade hygiene. Lee Gardens Plaza, Thanon Sanehanusorn

LATE & LIVELYKiss Wandang is exactly

what the weekend ordered: good food and great live music. It also hosts concerts. 26, Soi 9, Thanon Rajuthit, tel: +66 (0)7 425 9824, www.kisschannelpub.com/en

OVERNIGHTBeing that the majority of

mid-range hotels opt for generic themes, JB Hotel stands out on the strength of its local design and traditional architecture. 99 Thanon Jootee Anusorn, tel: +66 (0)7 423 4301, www.jbhotelhatyai.com

Laughing Buddha

Market seller

SHOP TALKQuirky and quaint, the

new Magonn boutique is an offshoot of its older Hanoian sister, offering '60s-style cuts and accessories. 41 Hai Ba Trung, District 1, tel: +84 (0)8 3522 0649 CHEAP EATS

Songkhla Old Town sells Thai desserts. Try khanom bork, a rice-fl our cake steamed in bamboo and covered in coconut and sugar. Lek, Thanon Nang Ngam, tel: +66 (0)8 9659 8723

INSIDER TIPTo put it simply, you may never

get lost again. Thanks to the i-Métro website, travelling from A to B is easy – with step-by-step directions guiding you to your destination. Gotta love the “I don’t like to walk” feature. http://imetro.nanika.net/metro

SHOP TALKLooking for unusual snacks

and tasty treats from around the world at bargain-basement prices? Your quest is over at any of PrizeMart’s 18 branches. Sharpen your elbows before entering. tel: +852 2406 8879, www.prizemart.hk

CHEAP EATS Few parts of Hong Kong lack

a Café de Coral, whose Chinese name translates as “Big Happy Family”. It’s fast food, for sure, but it's by no means lacking in fl avour. And at around HK$30 (S$5/A$4) a plate, it’s a great deal. www.cafedecoral.com

LATE & LIVELYThere’s a superb speakeasy

feel to Feather Boa: no sign outside, décor that’s reminiscent of a funky Parisian drawing room of yesteryear and out-of-this-world martinis. 38 Staunton St, Soho, tel: +852 2857 2586

OVERNIGHTIf you like your hotels small

and funky, The Mercer has just 55 rooms. 29 Jervois St, Sheung Wan, tel: +852 2922 9988, www.themercer.com.hk

Hong KongCHINA

Cable car

TOP TABLESIt’s Michelin starred,

without the high prices. Loaf On has been quietly going about its business serving regular Cantonese fare for years. 49 Market St, Sai Kung, tel: +852 2792 9966

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