Finding Your #Hashtag in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia’s traditional yet cosmopolitan lifestyle has always been a drawcard for inspired travelers. Particularly for socially-conscious and tech-savvy millennials who are increasingly well-traveled, the opportunities to engage, explore and experience the region’s fascinating culture and exotic vibes are endless. Here are just a few of our favorite ways to show off your style in Southeast Asia.

Get Local – Light up your news feed on a night of bar-hopping at our favorite spots in Bangkok’s buzzing Chinatown. Chill to Thai traditional music at TEP, a trendy bar with its own range of home-infused “ya-dong,” herbal whiskeys. Taste craft beer and comfort food at Ba Hao, an old-school eatery inspired by a 1970’s Chinese shophouse. Then head to Wallflowers Upstairs to enjoy the relaxed vibe in the chic garden rooftop.

Get Active – Get your heart pumping with a cycling adventure through the Cambodian countryside. Go off-road and explore the “Death Gate”, where ancient convicts are supposed to have been sent before execution. Then ride into the countryside to experience real life in rural farming villages. Chat with farmers and try your hand at weaving palm tree leaves into decorative mats, as the locals do.

Get in Touch with Nature – Meet the elephants at an elephant sanctuary in Laos and get involved in their sustainability, conservation and animal welfare movement. Walk side by side with the elephants in the jungles and rice paddies and help them find food or simply hang out with them in their natural habitat.

Get Away – Discover amazing off the beaten path places in Myanmar such as the incredible Golden Rock, a large gold-leaf gilded boulder perched on the edge of a cliff - one of most sacred sites for Buddhist pilgrims. Then head north and strap on your hiking boots for a trek through the picturesque Shan hills. Take time to reflect and learn about the Buddhist way of life with a night spent at a small monastery in the mountains. 

Get Cooking – Enjoy an exciting foodie adventure in Hanoi, Vietnam, making and tasting some of the mouth-watering local specialties. Meet a local chef and learn secret of making his delicious pho (rice noodle) broth. Then weave your way through a busy local market. Try some typical street food snacks and wash them down with a refreshing bia hoi (freshly brewed local beer). Then head back to the kitchen to make bun cha (grilled pork with fresh Vietnamese vermicelli noodles) for lunch.

Contact us now for more ideas about how to plan your active, “in the know,” experience in Southeast Asia.

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Going Off the Grid in Khao Sok National Park

Just back from a trip to Thailand’s southern provinces, our Regional Managing Director, Belinda Shillcock, was blown away by the amazing, dream-like landscape of Khao Sok National Park, calling it “the biggest wow factor in all of Thailand.”

Completely off the radar for mass tourists, the national park is just a two-hour drive north of Phuket or Krabi and is home to Chiew Lan Lake, a vast body of water surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs, jungles and caves. The region is ideal for an active adventure with hiking trails to explore and amazing waterfalls to experience as well as interesting caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. It is also a thrill to be one of the few people kayaking or swimming in the lake.

Consider extending your stay with a few nights at 500 Rai Floating Resort, a rustic floating lodge in the middle of the lake. Intimate and comfortable, this eco-friendly resort is not quite five-star, but does come with front-row views of sunrise and sunset over the lake without leaving your bed.

Contact us now to find out more about this destination and design a customized journey to Khao Sok National Park and 500 Rai Floating Resort.

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A Street Artist’s View of Bangkok

Bangkok is known for its dynamic culture, where centuries-old traditions meet world-class dining and entertainment. What you may not know is that the city is also home to a thriving street art scene. We sat down for a chat with one of the city’s most prolific independent street artists, Mue Bon, whose Pukruk character can be seen all over Bangkok and has made appearances around the world including London, Tokyo and Melbourne. 

Q: Please tell us a bit about your background and where you grew up.

A: I grew up in the slum areas of Thonburi, on the west side of Bangkok’s river, where life was not easy. I had to act tough so that others would not underestimate me. But at the same time, I loved to read and draw cartoons. Most of my time was spent copying drawings of Dragon Ball (a popular Japanese anime) onto every page of my notebook!

Q: What inspired you to become a street artist?

A: I want my art to reach people who don’t go to hi-so [elite] galleries. People are busy working, studying, shopping, trying to survive, they don’t have time for art. So I take the art to the people and bring them messages they might not usually receive. That’s why I am a street artist.

Q: We love your bird, Pukruk. Where did he come from and what is the inspiration behind him?

A: Seven years ago, I started to draw the bird as a symbol of peace and freedom. Although all birds have wings, not all birds can fly. Life is not fair in reality, but we have to make the most of opportunities and pursue freedom. That’s the same with my birds. They find a way to fly using spray cans, books and umbrellas.

Q: What are your favorite spots to shop, eat, drink and hangout in Bangkok?

A: I often hang out at Yaowarat (Chinatown), Khao San Road and Charoenkrung Road. I often find little-known, but really good restaurants in out of the way streets, while I’m searching for walls. I look out for old, but classic places, then I go to eat and find out how good it is.

Q: If there was one secret thing you would like visitors to know about Thailand, what would it be?

A: Explore the street art. There is a lot of good art all over Thailand, but not many people know about it. Once, I met a man who was so surprised to find out that Thai people do street art. His image of Thailand was just about seeing elephants and trekking in the jungle. That's why I travel all over the world to show my work. I want people to know that when they come to Thailand, they can enjoy walking around and finding art in secret places.

Q: What can we expect of your upcoming works?

A: I have a lot of ideas coming! I am working on a Thailand street art book and also some fashion designs. I have kept the details secret so far, so stay tuned and look out for my upcoming projects!

Discover Mue Bon’s Bangkok on Instagram at @Mue_Bon. Explore more Bangkok street art on a tailor-made journey with Akorn.

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Our Top 5: Chilling in Ho Chi Minh City

Check out these insider tips of where to shop, eat and hang out in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) from Karen Dawney, Director of Cruise Development, based in our Vietnam office.

1. De-stress at Padma de Fleur

Design a floral bouquet for your special someone while having lunch at Padma de Fleur, a chic, contemporary florist that actually doubles as one of the city’s coolest eateries. This charming little venue with a split personality serves up several surprises such as fruit tuna salad and naughty shrimps (deep-fried shrimp coated in a wonderfully tasty batter), all enhanced with a floral garnish. Try the home-made ice cream or their Hiemal Cocktail - corn whiskey, ginger, lemon and shisho leaves.

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2. Take Home a Piece of the Sadec District

Hand-made ceramic bowls, designer teapots, woven bamboo tea trays and clothing made of natural fibers are just some of the possibilities at this quaint little boutique around the corner from Nguyen Hue, the city’s main pedestrian boulevard. Taking its name from a provincial town in the Mekong Delta, Sadec District puts a contemporary spin on traditional crafts with influences from Vietnam and neighboring Cambodia. The items here are all reasonably priced and feature limited edition creations by up-and-coming local artisans.

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3. Hang Out at 42 Nguyen Hue Street

One of the best spots in the city is the old, unassuming apartment block at 42 Nguyen Hue Street. Now taken over by a string of trendy coffee shops and designer boutiques, the apartments have become popular among the city’s hip coffee culture crowd. Each floor offers something new and different. Start with coffee at Saigon Vieux, a stylish coffee shop on the second floor, then head up to the third floor for desserts at Mango Tree. Get a slice of Mekong Pizza on the fourth before finding yourself in an English tea house on the fifth, followed by more cafés and boutiques on the upper floors.

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4. Imbibe at a Hidden Acoustic Bar

When the sun goes down, Ho Chi Minh City lights up. Tucked away in secret corners and clandestine alleys are several funky acoustic bars where local bands play live original music. Our favorite is Tôn, an inconspicuous hole in the wall that attracts a regular crowd of locals and expats who are all joined together by the love of music. The outside world disappears once you step into the dimly-litted room and all that matters is the cocktail in your hand and the rhythm of the music.

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5. Trailblazing by Sidecar

The most fun way to get around the city is in a 70’s-style sidecar. The three-wheeled low-seated motorcycle with a passenger cart attached to its side, was a popular war-time vehicle, but today it is your VIP ride around town. Feel the wind in your hair as you glide through backstreets and along Saigon River. See a side of the city you never knew existed, stopping at the best local eateries that only locals know about and mingle with locals at laid-back coffee bars.

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More Insider News from Around the Region

• Vietnam’s biggest festival, Tet, is just around the corner on 4-8 February 2019. Most shops and restaurants will be closed as workers return home to their families so travel during this period is not advised.

• Bangkok’s first glass skywalk is now open on the 78^th floor of the city’s newest skyscraper, the Maha Nakhon building, giving guests a dizzying 360-degree view of the city from a protruding glass platform.

• Sofitel Metropole Hotel Hanoi is planning a complete renovation which will see the Metropole Wing closed from September 2019 to March 2020 and the Opera Wing closed between April 2020 and October 2020.

• Thailand’s 2019 Michelin guide has been released, revealing 23 restaurants with Michelin stars, including 10 newly-starred restaurants. Among our favorite new entries are Saawaan, Mathavalai Sorndaeng and Canvas, each delivering their own unique spin on traditional Thai flavors. We also love Suhring, which moved up from one to two stars this year.

• Reef sharks have been spotted back in Maya Bay, a sign that marine rejuvenation efforts are working, following the area’s closure to tourism since June this year.

A word from our guests:

“Our recent trip to Singapore, Cambodia, and Thailand was fabulous. We have so many wonderful memories and it was everything I had hoped for. We really loved the “happy smiley” nature of the Cambodians and the “kind sweet” nature of the Thais. Also, the US $8 massages were the best. There was gluten-free bread for me at all the hotels I stayed at, so I was very impressed. We just love the ease of being met at the airport and escorted through, having cars waiting and guides in place. It makes things so pleasant.”

- Javis Family of the United States

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For more information about anything you have seen in this newsletter, contact us now:
Thailand  |  Cambodia  |  Laos  |  Myanmar  |  Vietnam

Check out our archive for more Insider news, ideas and travel information:

THE INSIDER by Akorn Southeast Asia November 2018: Experience Vietnam’s coffee country, explore mindfulness in Thailand and discover our Top 5 antique shops and galleries in Southeast Asia. We also chat with an art expert and social entrepreneur who is weaving new opportunities in Laos.

THE INSIDER by Akorn Southeast Asia October 2018: An authentic farming and noodle-making experience in Laos, a private jet journey through Southeast Asia and our Top 5 must-do’s in Hue, Vietnam. Plus, we chat with Chef Ian Kittichai about Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine.

THE INSIDER by Akorn Southeast Asia August 2018: Meet ethical artisans in Cambodia, discover the Myeik archipelago, last minute getaways you cannot miss in 2018, our exclusive interview with a U.S. veteran in Vietnam, philanthropy update and more news from the region.

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