Ron Emmons is a British writer and photographer who is based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He frequently writes or updates guide books, mainly on Southeast Asian destinations, for publishers like National Geographic, Frommer's, Rough Guides and DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, and also writes stories on travel and culture for international magazines, newspapers and websites.
With a history stretching back over a thousand years, Hanoi is a city ripe for exploration, and its curious combination of ancient and modern attractions make it one of the most enigmatic cities in Asia. The city’s name means ‘on a bend in the river’, and its strategic location on the banks of the Red River, with access to the...
To get a sense of Saigon’s turbulent past and the influences that have created this modern city, look no further than Dong Khoi, the narrow main street in the city’s heart that runs south from Le Duan to the Saigon River. You could walk its length (just over a kilometre) in half an hour, but it’s worth lingering in front...
Ba Dinh District, to the west of the Old Quarter, to the south of West Lake and to the north of the railway station, is the administrative heart of West Hanoi. This is where you’ll find government ministries and foreign embassies, many of which are housed in splendid colonial buildings that have been artfully restored. As the roads here are bordered by spacious sidewalks and...
Hanoi is worth visiting as much for its cuisine as for its cultural sights. But with hundreds of restaurants and cafes to choose from, it can be daunting to know where to begin. For that reason it can be helpful to have a short list of tried and tested places to cover a variety of eating and drinking options. If you are new to...
For many visitors, the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter stands out as the most memorable part of their visit to this ancient city. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is often referred to as ‘the 36 streets’ after the 36 guilds that once occupied the city’s commercial heart. However, these days there are over 70 streets crowded into this square kilometre, and it’s easy...
You can do a lot in Hanoi in 48 hours. But to see most important sights would take a week or more. With so many other desirable destinations nearby (Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa to mention but a couple), it’s not surprising that many visitors allow only a couple of days to get to grips with Vietnam’s capital city. With such...
When the French took control of Hanoi in 1882, they began to develop a swathe of land stretching from a mosquito-ridden plot on the banks of the Red River, which they had already been granted, to the railway station about 2km further west. They destroyed many ancient Vietnamese buildings and monuments, and in their place erected broad, tree-lined boulevards that give Hanoi’s French Quarter...
One of the most enjoyable ways to explore the old city in Chiang Mai is on foot, and this walk takes you along narrow, winding lanes and through tranquil temple compounds as you cross from the northeast to southwest corner. It’s best to go in the morning, when the sun sparkles on the east-facing temple facades and the heat is not yet too oppressive. Dress...
Though its name was officially changed in 1976, Ho Chi Minh City is still referred to as Saigon by its inhabitants, an example of lingering resentment towards the party leaders in Hanoi. Though only a couple of centuries old, the city shows strong influences from an eclectic range of cultures, resulting in a unique ambiance. Saigon is Vietnam’s biggest and...
With its long and sinuous shape, like a giant seahorse perched on the edge of the Southeast Asian mainland, Vietnam harbors a wealth of diverse landscapes, climates, people and cultures, making it a must-see destination for anyone with an adventurous spirit. Brought to the world’s attention in the late 20th century due to the tragic war with the USA that...
Although Chiang Mai means ‘new city’, the capital of North Thailand is in fact very old. Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai, it was once the capital of the Kingdom of Lan Na (‘million rice fields’), which in its heyday of the 14th-15th century occupied large parts of modern-day Laos and Myanmar. It was incorporated into Siam early in the...
Alone, because then I can give my full attention to each new place and experience.
Walking, because it’s the only way to take in new sights at leisure.
That I can never get enough of it.
The Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in the extreme north of Vietnam; few people know about it…yet.