Paul Mulligan
Travel Writer & Cultural Explorer
Latest from Paul Mulligan
20 Articles
What Georgetown is Really Like
Georgetown on Penang Island is often described as one of the food capitals of Southeast Asia, but my experience there was more layered than just hawker stalls a
Van Phat Pagoda District 5: The Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple in Saigon
What is Chùa Vạn Phật in District 5 really like, and is it worth seeking out among the many pagodas in Saigon? Tucked inside a narrow alley in Ho Chi Minh City’
Mien Thao Moc Cafe: Where Green Space Meets Café Culture in Saigon
If you’ve spent any time in Saigon, you know that the city’s coffee culture is divided into two worlds. On one side, you have the minimalist, air-conditioned "w
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
Oasis Cafe: Finding Calm in the Chaos of Saigon
In a city as chaotic as Saigon, the word "oasis" is often used loosely by marketers. However, Oasis Cafe, tucked away in the bustling Go Vap District, manages t
5 South America Travel Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
South America has a way of pulling you in with bucket-list landscapes, vibrant cultures, and prices that seem like a bargain, until a few small missteps quietly
Crazy House Da Lat
Deep in the misty highlands of Central Vietnam, the city of Da Lat is often celebrated for its French colonial elegance and romantic lakefronts. Yet, tucked awa
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.
12 Best Things To Do In Baku Azerbaijan
Baku is a city that seems to be constantly trying to reconcile two distinct identities. On one side, you have the dust and stone of a Silk Road past; on the oth
5 Best Churches in Saigon That Surprised Me
What are the best churches in Saigon, and which ones are actually worth visiting? Ho Chi Minh City is often associated with street food, motorbikes, and modern
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
Visiting Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields
Phnom Penh is often introduced through its cafés, riverfront, and colonial architecture, but two sites just beneath the surface define much of Cambodia’s recent
Exploring Thailand’s Heart and Soul: The Ancient City
Thailand enthrals visitors with stunning temples, street life and lush landscapes, but there are two attractions just outside Bangkok that offer a journey throu
Tao Dan Park Saigon: The Park Where I Met My Fiancée
Tao Dan Park is one of the few green spaces in the heart of District 1 where daily life in Saigon unfolds at its own pace. In this article, I’ll share what it’s
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
The Jewel of the Kingdom: The Grand Palace In Bangkok
Standing on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace is not merely a tourist attraction; it is the spiritual and historical heart of Thailand. For o
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
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
Garden Hydrangea Đà Lạt: Fields of Blue and a Perfect Photo Stop
Garden Hydrangea in Đà Lạt is one of those places that instantly feels like Dalat. Cool mountain air, rolling hills, and rows upon rows of hydrangea flowers str
Hai Van Pass, Vietnam: the Ocean-Cloud Road Between Da Nang and Hue
Hai Van Pass (Đèo Hải Vân) is one of Vietnam’s most famous mountain roads, being a twisting coastal climb that links the city of Da Nang with Hue. The name is o