Paul Mulligan
Travel Writer & Cultural Explorer
Latest from Paul Mulligan
20 Articles
Sculpture Tunnel Dalat: Clay Stories in the Highlands
The Sculpture Tunnel in Dalat, also known as the Clay Tunnel, is one of the more unusual attractions in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Built almost entirely from
Visiting Uu Dam Temple in Thu Duc: A Quiet Spiritual Retreat
How often do you step out of a modern shopping mall and walk straight into a traditional Buddhist temple? That contrast is exactly what defines Ưu Đàm Buddhist
Bitexco Financial Tower
For a long time, the Bitexco Financial Tower was the undisputed face of modern Saigon. Even though it has since been surpassed in height by Landmark 81, Bitexco
Rome in a Day: What I Saw After Missing My Flight
Can Rome really be done in a day? I didn’t plan to find out, but after missing my flight and getting stranded in Italy’s capital, I had no choice but to make th
One Pillar Pagoda in Thu Duc: A Southern Echo of Hanoi
If you’ve heard of the One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi, you might be surprised to learn there’s a version of it in Ho Chi Minh City. Nam Thiên Nhất Trụ, often called
The Van Gogh & Impressionist Masters Art Lighting Experience at Giga Mall
The Van Gogh & Impressionist Masters Art Lighting Experience at Giga Mall (Thu Duc City) has become a bit of a cultural phenomenon with the locals in Ho Chi Min
September 23rd Park Saigon: A Walking Park in the Heart of the City
September 23rd Park is one of the most central green spaces in Ho Chi Minh City, yet it’s often overlooked by visitors who pass straight through the backpacker
Nui Ba Den: A Family Trip to Black Virgin Mountain
Nui Ba Den in Tay Ninh is the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam that I was never even aware of until my wife told me about it. After finally visiting it with
Christmas in Saigon: What the City Feels Like During the Holidays
Christmas in Saigon feels very different from what you might be used to in the West, and that contrast is what makes it interesting to observe. In this article,
Manila Ocean Park: A Rainy Day Escape by the Bay
Manila Ocean Park is one of those places that works best when the weather doesn’t. Located along Manila Bay near Rizal Park, it’s an indoor marine-themed attrac
Romantic Things To Do In Da Lat
Da Lat, often called the "Le Petit Paris" of Vietnam, is a place where the air is thinner, the pine trees are taller, and the pace of life feels intentionally s
Free Things to Do in Saigon: 15 Experiences That Cost Nothing
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) moves fast. Traffic never really stops, street food smells drift through every district, and glass skyscrapers rise next to ageing apa
Things To Do in DaLat Vietnam
Nestled high in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Da Lat is one of the country’s most unique destinations. Often called the “City of Eternal Spring,” Da Lat is famou
5 Best Amazing Looking Coffee Shops in Saigon (Instagram-Worthy Cafés)
Saigon is home to some of the most visually striking coffee shops in Vietnam, where design and atmosphere often matter just as much as the coffee itself. From
Vung Tau City: A Coastal City Escape Just Hours From Saigon
If you love beaches, then Vung Tau is one of those places that doesn’t need much convincing. Just a few hours from Saigon, it’s close enough for a spontaneous g
Baku, Azerbaijan: Scale, Space, and Silence
Baku is a city of contrasts. Located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, it combines medieval architecture, Soviet-era planning, and large-scale modern dev
That Time Asia was Obsessed with Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear
If you lived anywhere in Southeast Asia over the past few years, you probably remember a moment when it felt impossible to escape Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear. He was o
Cambodian Scam Compounds Targeting Vietnam: Human Trafficking & Cyber Fraud
In the high-stakes world of the 2020s, a new kind of problem has emerged along the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. Living in fortified concrete compounds,
5 Best Motorbike Routes in Vietnam (From Real Riding Experience)
Why is Vietnam considered one of the best countries in the world for motorbike travel, yet so many riders come away exhausted, stressed, or disappointed? From
6 Best Foods to Eat in Phan Thiet After a Long Ride
Riding a scooter from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet sounds romantic until you’ve actually done it. The sun feels stronger than expected, the traffic leaving Sa