Anita Rao Kashi

18 Posts

I am a Bangalore-based independent journalist and travel and food writer with over 25 years of experience writing for domestic and international publications including BBC, Nikkei Asian Review and South China Morning Post. I love my city to bits, but am always looking for an excuse to travel. When not travelling, I can be found writing, reading, cooking or eating - and not necessarily in that order!

10 Best Halong Bay Tours

Halong Bay is Vietnam’s most popular place for tourists, with beautiful waters spread over more than 1550 sq km and over 2000 dramatic karsts rising out of the sea, creating a surreal seascape. Sadly, it is also the most touristed place with massiv…

Anita Rao Kashi

Feb 28, 2023

12 Best Bars in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam’s best cities are a joy during the day but they are even better at night. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) are especially known for their nightlife. Night markets, walking streets and even whole avenues that shut down for traffic and turn i…

Anita Rao Kashi

Feb 24, 2023

12 Must Visit Temples in Ho Chi Minh City

As Vietnam’s second-largest city, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), also known by its colonial name Saigon, is decidedly cosmopolitan in nature. But that’s not to say that there are no elements of traditional Vietnamese culture. And what better way to explor…

Anita Rao Kashi

Feb 20, 2023

12 Nightlife Experiences in Ho Chi Minh City

Every country has that one city that never sleeps, that comes alive after dark. In Vietnam, that epithet is reserved for Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), also known by its former name Saigon. By day it is a bustling metropolis, but by night it becomes an en…

Anita Rao Kashi

Feb 11, 2023

12 Must-See Places in Ho Chi Minh City

Rich with art, architecture, and centuries of history - both military and cultural - Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s finance behemoth and a cosmopolitan destination that stays true to its regional roots. It is also still referred to by its colo…

Anita Rao Kashi

Feb 04, 2023

12 Best Restaurants/Dishes in Hanoi

Defined by its contrast of fresh and earthy flavours, Vietnamese cuisine is a unique culinary experience, and each city has subtle variations. However, navigating the local language to understand the dishes can be daunting for any visitor. So, here’…

Anita Rao Kashi

Jan 27, 2023

12 Must-Visit Temples in Hanoi

Although Buddhist temples (also called pagodas) are dotted all over Vietnam, Hanoi is particularly rich in its concentration of beautiful as well as important temples. Incorporate these into your sightseeing itinerary, or dedicate a whole day to exp…

Anita Rao Kashi

Jan 23, 2023

12 Must-See Attractions in Hanoi

The capital of Vietnam is a melting pot of centuries-old culture and modern influences alike. Ancient temples dot the city, alongside havens of natural beauty and distinctive neighbourhoods shaped by a tumultuous history. From cathedrals to lakes, h…

Anita Rao Kashi

Jan 19, 2023

10 Things to See on the Swiss Riviera

Although there’s no river, the stretch along Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Montreux feels like nothing less than the most classic of Mediterranean riversides. Brimming with relics of global history and slices of local life, the Swiss Rivera is the pe…

Anita Rao Kashi

Jan 15, 2023