Paul Mulligan
Travel Writer & Cultural Explorer
Latest from Paul Mulligan
20 Articles
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
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
Angkor Wat Through My Eyes: A Day Wandering the Ruins of an Ancient Empire
Angkor Wat is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia and one of the major draws for travellers to visit Cambodia. Located near Siem
Overrated Attractions in Vietnam
Are Vietnam’s most famous attractions actually worth the hype, or are some of them just bucket-list box-ticking exercises that leave you feeling underwhelmed? A
Nhau: The Liquid Architecture of Vietnamese Society
To the uninitiated eye, a Vietnamese quán nhậu (drinking tavern) looks like chaos. A symphony of clacking ice buckets, the rhythmic roar of "Một, hai, ba, dô!",
Bach Dang Waterfront Park – Open Space Along the Saigon River
Bach Dang Waterfront Park is one of the most open and accessible green spaces in District 1, stretching along the Saigon River at the end of Nguyen Hue Walking
Spending Time in the Amazon Jungle: What No One Tells You Before You Go
Spending time in the Amazon Jungle may sound like a dream come true… and it was, despite being woefully underprepared for not one visit but two to the depths of
The Long-Awaited Pulse: The Saga of Saigon’s Metro System
For nearly two decades, the blue-and-white barricades of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro became a part of the city’s skyline just as much as the Bitexco Tower. To th
My Son Sanctuary: The Sacred Cham Valley of Central Vietnam
Hidden in a green valley surrounded by low mountains in Quang Nam Province, Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary is one of Vietnam’s most important historical and archaeological si
6 Worst Things About Vietnam: Real Downsides of Living and Travelling Here
Vietnam is an incredible place to live and travel, so much so that I’ve chosen to call it home and have never once regretted that decision. That said, no countr
Gia Dinh Park: Wide Open Space Near the Airport
Gia Dinh Park feels different the moment you arrive. The space here is wide, open, and airy, which is something of a rarity in Saigon. Instead of winding paths
Flyover Starry Sky: A Journey Through Saigon’s Most Surreal Light Museum
Standing tall in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the Bitexco Financial Tower has long been a symbol of Vietnam’s rapid modernisation. While its lotus-bulb silhou
Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn)
The Marble Mountains, known in Vietnamese as Ngũ Hành Sơn, are one of those rare tourist stops that actually live up to the postcards. Located about 20km north
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street – A Literary Street in the Heart of District 1
Just steps away from Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, there’s a pedestrian street where the usual soundtrack of Saigon fades into something not
Buu Long Pagoda Thu Duc – Saigon’s Golden Thai-Style Temple
Is Buu Long Pagoda the most visually striking temple in Ho Chi Minh City? If you’ve only seen pagodas in District 1 or Chinatown, the answer might surprise you.
Mongo Land DaLat Vietnam
Nestled in the scenic highlands of Da Lat, Mongo Land Vietnam has quickly become one of the city’s most unusual and talked-about attractions. Known as the “Mini
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens: A Visit That Raises Questions
Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens (Thao Cam Vien) is one of the largest green spaces in District 1, and also one of the most difficult to describe honestly. On pa
Things I Loved About Phu Quoc: From Hon Thom to Hidden Southern Beaches
Phu Quoc Island is often described as Vietnam’s tropical escape, but what's surprising is how varied the experience can be. From taking a cable car above its be
The Vietnamese Dog Meat Trade
The Vietnamese landscape seems to be in constant flux, with the country currently in the midst of a profound cultural and legislative transformation. Central to