#2025-asia-trip

[lovelanguageisolate]

First Night in Bangkok

Christopher Hitchens once said that however hard you try to avoid cliché, visiting communist Czechoslovakia forces you to reference Kafka at some point.

Anyways, Bangkok really is a fucking trip, man. I feel like I died two days ago and reincarnated in a William Gibson novel. So very much.

Inhuman cybercapital futurity assembling itself in a thousand gleaming Hong Kong-domiciled gigabanks and digital nomad cafés and dancing girls as it chokes old Buddhist temples and shantytowns and struggling palms in a traumatically transcultural miasma of a myriad reactive nitrous oxide species coughed up by a million two-stroke motors.

After a brief nap in my luxury burbclave hotel, security guard and English-fluent beaming hotel staff staff at post, me trying to do battle against 15 timezone hours' worth of jetlag, I register for the first time that I've been dissociating. I'm hobbling around on the air cast I wear for my foot sprain and a collapsible Walgreens cane, of the kind I imagine two-bit hustlers using to beat drug dealers poaching on their turf. But I'm in my favorite mass-market synthetic ink tie dye shirt, made somewhere in Central America I don't recall off hand, my blue tourist shorts, and my Buddhist beaded mala, engraved with Sanskrit I cannot read, on plastic draw string, so hopefully everyone knows I'm a chill dude.

I am in an eight floor mega shopping mall. There are robots serving white frat boys and dutiful waiters in white masks who could be robots serving local Thai prep school kids in sky blue school uniforms 500 baht sirloin steak dinners.

There are as many languages spoken here it feels like as New York City. And hotels, restaurant, massage parlors, tailors, purpose built to pander to rich Arabs, rich Chinese, rich Americans.

There is a strange amodernity to all the floating signifiers. White spring break kids approximating Thai names and wai hand clasps. Chinese shirts with a Markov chain’s chants of floating English prestige nonsense. Transcontinental fake gold watch arbitrageurs. More virtual market makers than a Jersey City server farm somehow spun up and cast into human form.

Sub-orbital resort vacationers in one corner. The state messages of the network monarch on a giant billboard overlooking a four-story expressway overpass on another. Everyone communicating in signs, gestures, and humble Buddhist bows. Hindu, Christian, Mormon, Jew, Shiite, Sunni, and so many Buddhists, all sitting and eating and shopping and praying and coughing and sputtering and fucking and bowing to one another at the end of the world before the self-aware chatbots reconstitute all the anthropomass on the third rock from the nuclear furnace. And of course, on TV, a narcissistic reality TV star in orange bronzer and an oversized navy blue Brioni suit and red tie is inaugurated president of the United States for a second time.

And my $4 dinner, served by surgically masked waitstaff at the shopping mall of the omega point. The terminal object in the category of mass market commercialism. Another floating signifier: a featured photo on Wikipedia of beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where I've actually been, here mobilized as a metonym for the kind of steak restaurant this place is supposed to be. Of course, probably no one who works here has been to America. It reminds me of Gilles Deleuze’s characterization of capitalism as an inherently deterritorializing process—one that makes every place into every other place, until no one knows where they are.

And the strangest thing is that somehow, between the tourists trying to immerse themselves in the fakery, and the shop workers trying to perform, something genuine is created, even though the thing the performance refers to is fake—and everyone knows it.

Actually, maybe the craziest moment was when I was walking past the clothing hawkers. Of which there were just so unbelievably many. And they were selling wildly unlicensed branded merch for Luis Vuitton and Ralph Loren and Balenciaga and GUESS, etc. Some of them laughably implausible. But others effectively the real thing. The Asian tourists love those in particular. And I asked myself, “how did these knockoffs get so good?”

And then I remembered: Thailand is the place where all of this crap actually gets made! It’s all outsourced to here. They’re just cutting out the middle men seeking rent on the brand. And so I’m not really sure who’s the fraud here. Is it the unlicensed shirt hawker trying to take me for a ride and fudge their “tax” calculations? Or is it the Italian fashion house trying to charge me 20x what it costs the Thai sweatshop workers to make?

I see a case for each.

Obviously not JUST Thailand makes this. There’s also Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Honduras, Costa Rica, etc. All the groveling satellite states trying to scramble up the value-added ladder that capital and IP and telecom flows have turned into the 21st century's Manchester. All part of that big globalized textile mill.

Anyways, I got a pretty nice white dress shirt for like $15 and a truly label-less white bucket hat for $5. And I’m almost sure I got taken for a ride, but I was waaay too tired to haggle, and anyways, by any standard of justice as globalized as these clothing flows, I'm the one taking them for a ride.

I message my mother, half way around the world. It's 7:30 AM on the Eastern Seaboard of the US. It's 7:30 PM here in Bangkok. My mother says, "Keep your wits about you, man. You have to play the haggle game. It's in your Albanian blood. My grandmother would have taught you plenty, had she been there."

I can't help but think that they’d have been like, “no, please! Just take it! For free!! ” after 3 minutes of that. Those Bangkok street hagglers have never met an Albanian orphan.

Gonna go to a Buddhist temple tomorrow. First, tonight, a cocktail bar overlooking the city. In my $1000 black John Varvatos jacket with the Mandarin collar over the $15 off-brand shirt I just bought.

[calpicowater]

top 9 outfit photos of 2024 (age 27-28) 💛

[withleeknow]

tour??? what the hell do you mean TOUR???

[reicchel]

Hello from Reichel and Buri ( @demonslayedher )! This is going to be another multi-part, tag-team post to finally encapsulate our KnY-focused missions together last month. We’ve finally compiled everything about our biggest mission: Universal Studios Japan and their Kimetsu no Yaiba events!

Last year I went to Japan for the first time. It was a guided tour through Tokyo (and other countries in South Asia) because I was afraid to venture out on my own. But since I would already be on the other side of the world, I arranged a little detour to Osaka to meet Buri. We didn't get much time together, but we did make the most of it.

I went to Universal Studios Japan on Friday while she was working, because I had wanted to visit Super Nintendo World ever since it opened. I had a blast, and the best was that I got to meet Princess Peach and take a picture with her.

But deep within my heart, I was also sad that the Kimetsu no Yaiba ride and restaurant had ended a long time before I arrived. Then, shortly after I came back to my country, it was announced that they would be running again for a couple of months in 2024. 

I was SO tempted to go back in April and celebrate my birthday in Japan, but Buriko was going to be on this side of the pond and also… going back to Japan in less than six months didn’t seem like the most sensible thing for my wallet.

But! Then after some time… a new KnY event at USJ was announced! The theme was the Swordsmith Village (yeah, I know, that was so last year) and it would be running from July 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025, a wider window of time to plan a trip. I talked to Buri and she was up for it, so we looked for a time when she wouldn’t be as busy with work so we could go together and have a KnY special day at USJ. (The whole trip would be very KnY-focused, since that’s what brought us together, but it wouldn’t be limited to that, and she was so very kind to host me for the time I was visiting).

The first thing after getting my plane tickets was to set the date for our USJ visit. Even though we’d have a whole day at the park, riding the XR Ride was the priority, of course (and checking out the exclusive merch), so we decided to get a fast pass that also included an entry to the restaurant without making a line and the new Kny-themed popcorn bucket. So, with our entry tickets and our fast passes secured, we only had to wait for the day to come.

[putschki1969]

【Vlog】 Overseas Footage Snippets

Hello, this is Hikaru. Thank you for watching! These are random video clips that I filmed whenever I was able to during my time as a guest vocalist in the tour "Yuki Kajiura LIVE vol.#20 ~Asia Tour 20th Special SETLIST~"📹 I hope you enjoy it😂

Waaaahhh, I love this video so much!! So happy that I also got Lemon Tea at ChaTraMue during my stay in Bangkok. I had no idea what she had chosen when I saw Hikaru's Instagram Story from that day but I randomly picked Lemon Tea since it sounded like a safe choice XD. I just wish I had known that Keiko got the original Thai Milk Tea because then I would probably have gotten that as well (even though I am pretty sure I would not be a fan of it - I don't really like milky drinks). Also, that souvenir package that Hikaru bought from the shop! Damn it, now I regret not buying one too T_T

The girls got everything at Central Ladprao since it was the mall closest to the venue/their hotel but I got mine at IconSiam (since I happened to be there at that time).

Of course I also got the Yolé Frozen Yogurt since it was part of my Keiko activities. For those who don't know yet, Keiko actually took a private trip to Bangkok earlier this year and included a lot of pictures from that in her latest fan club magazine (scans coming soon!!). Naturally, I made it my personal mission to visit most of the featured places. A bunch of Keiko's activities were focused around the Siam area so I got my yogurt at Siam Paragon (just like Keiko😊 Same order too of course - yuzu honey and strawberries)

Rehearsal for 『Hikaru LIVE TOUR -ROUND-』

Hikaru has started band rehearsal for her upcoming solo tour 『Hikaru LIVE TOUR -ROUND-』. (Source1 , 2, 3)

『Hikaru LIVE TOUR -ROUND-』

▼2024 11/30 (Sat) Soul Power, Toyama 17:30 / 18:00 12/07 (Sat) Music Bar Perch, Aichi 17:30 / 18:00 12/14 (Sat) LIVE HOUSE enn 2nd, Miyagi 17:30 / 18:00 12/21 (Sat) MUSE, Kyoto 17:00 / 17:30 ▼2025 02/11 (Tue) Club eX, Tokyo 17:00 / 18:00

[thesargasmicgoddess]

You said you're booking some travel soon!

As someone currently in the midst of a 60-day, eight-country marathon trip, where is somewhere you haven't been but really want to go?

I just wrapped my last paper at 3am last night.....annnnd....I'm looking at flights and hotels already 🤣🤣

Australia is on my list of places to visit, along with several other places. But I love visiting places I've already visited before, too....I'm a creature of habit, lol. There's something so special about looking forward to going to "regular" favorite places in different countries. I'm one of those travelers who likes to really get to know a place and not hop around too quickly.

I don't think I will be going to any new countries in 2025, I will be sticking to the few I love in Asia and Europe. Maybe a few new cities in these countries, though! There might be one or two new places I will visit for work, but I'm not sure yet.

Stay tuned....

[satoshi-mochida]

Ever 17: The Out of Infinity and Never 7: The End of Infinity remasters announced for PS4, Switch, and PC - Gematsu

MAGES. has announced remastered versions of science-fiction suspense visual novels Ever 17: The Out of Infinity and Never 7: The End of Infinity for PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC (Steam). Both titles will be released digitally on March 6, 2025 in Japan and Asia, with the PC version being published by Spike Chunsoft. A “Ever 17 / Never 7 Double Pack” for Switch will also be available, which includes both games on one cartridge. It will support English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinees language options (in Asia, at least).

The “Ever 17 / Never 7 Double Pack” will be available in standard and limited editions. The standard edition will be priced at 7,480 yen, while the limited edition will cost 9,680 yen. The latter includes the “Ever 17 / Never 7 Sound Collection” DVD-ROM, which features 31 songs from Ever 17: The Out of Infinity and 24 songs from Never 7: The End of Infinity, which can be extracted as mp3 and FLAC files.

Ever 17: The Out of Infinity

About

Ever 17: The Out of Infinity is the second original entry in the Infinity series, first released by KID in 2002. In 2011, MAGES. released a “remake version” for the Xbox 360, featuring fully 3D characters, new scenarios, and updated graphics. The “remastered version” retains the 2D character expressions from the original game, while rebuilding the outfits and opening movie from the remake in 2D. Additionally, the new scenarios elements introduced in the remake have been incorporated, making this the definitive edition of Ever17 The game is a suspense-filled visual novel told from the perspectives of two protagonists. Seven individuals find themselves trapped in the an underwater theme park called “LeMU.” At the beginning of the game, the player selects either college student Takeshi Kuranari or a boy with amnesia, then progresses through the story from that character’s point of view. By allowing the player to choose between two protagonists, the game offers a multifaceted view of the same story, enabling deeper immersion. What “true secret” will these two perspectives reveal? Discover the answer as you dive into the game’s world through its suspenseful story.

Story

Spring 2017. Takeshi Kuranari, an ordinary college student, visits the underwater theme park “LeMU,” where he becomes involved in an accident and ends up trapped there. “Sora,” the only remaining system operator, announces that there is a limited time before LeMU collapses under the water pressure. 170 hours and 17 minutes. With rescue seeming hopeless, Takeshi, along with a mysterious girl named Tsugumi and the park guide Yuu, wanders through LeMU in search of a way to escape to the surface. A theme park of hopes and dreams, submerged at the bottom of a mysterious blue ocean. Do any of those hopes and dreams still remain? Or is there another mystery yet to be uncovered? The answer lies with “you.”

Never 7: The End of Infinity (2025)

About

Never 7: The End of Infinity is a high-definition remastered version of the 2000-released title of the same name, released as the complete edition of the original Infinity game. At the time, romance visual novels were at their peak, and the game garnered attention for its unique setting, story gimmicks, and its incorporation of rich mystery and suspense elements. This success led to its establishment as the first entry in the Infinity series, a science-fiction suspense franchise that features “time loop” elements in its storytelling. The player assumes the role of protagonist Makoto Ishihara, advancing the story through dialogue and decision-making. Makoto, a third-year college student, arrives on a secluded island in the southern seas for a seminar training camp, where he becomes involved in a hapless fate during what was supposed to be an ordinary seven-day trip. Knowing that tragedy awaits and the seventh day will never arrive, the player’s goal is to uncover the mysteries and escape the doomed cycle by solving the puzzle of Makoto’s fate.

Story

On the morning of April 1, 2019, protagonist Makoto Ishihara experiences the worst awakening of his life. He dreams of “a girl tragically dying right before his eyes.” The protagonist Makoto is on a secluded island in the southern seas for a seminar training camp. The seminar training camp, in the simple joy of everyday life, should have ended peacefully… But then came the fateful day of April 6…. On that day, “anxiety” turns to “despair,” and “premonition” turns to “tragedy.” The morning of the seventh day, which will never come. By relying on the memories that remain, Makoto works prevent the tragedy to reveal “all the mysteries.” End the eternal sorrow. This is a science-fiction suspense romance visual novel where players must escape a time loop, and where various emotions and destinies intricately intertwine. Watch the opening movie for each game below. Visit the Infinity remaster series official website here.

Ever 17: The Out of Infinity

Never 7: The End of Infinity (2025)

[mileapo]

Apo Nattawin on Shine and a Decade in Show Business

Ten years. That is how long Thai actor, Apo Nattawin has been in the business. Though it was only in 2022, with KinnPorsche, that he catapulted to superstardom. The series starred Apo as Porsche, and fellow actor, Mile Phakphum as Kinn. With the massive success of the show, Apo landed firmly on the radar for luxury brand collaborations. And the pair of actors proved they were no one-hit wonders — they teamed up again for Thai historical mystery-drama film, Man Suang, which went on to become one of the highest grossing Thai films of 2023. A walking testament to the value of humility and hard work, Apo was named Piaget’s Friend of the Maison for Southeast Asia before the end of 2023. By April 2024, he was elevated to Global Ambassador. It won’t take long before Apo sweeps more headlines — he is set to dazzle, together with Mile, in the upcoming romantic- comedy period series, Shine.

Hi Apo! You were recently in Abu Dhabi with Piaget. How was the experience?

I was really impressed. It was beyond what I imagined. Every moment of the trip was so valuable and is etched in my memory. For instance, it was the first time I rode a camel in the desert! It felt like I was floating in the galaxy. Of course, with such a warm, family-like welcome from Piaget.

In 2023, you were appointed the first Friend of Piaget in Southeast Asia, and in April last year, you were named the Maison’s Global Ambassador. Describe your relationship with the house.

Working with Piaget is like a shared journey that has allowed me to get to know both the brand's identity and my own identity better. Especially after experiencing the works in the Patrimony collection, which the brand values and cherishes to this day — much like how I value every moment in my life. Being with Piaget confirms for me that giving importance to everything you do and staying true to yourself is the right path.

One of your upcoming projects is the series, Shine, which also stars Mile. How was it working together again? Is there anything else you can share about Shine?

This is a story that takes place between Paris, France and Thailand. Mile and I have shared many memories together in Paris and Thailand as well. What will it be like when we meet again in 1969? How beautiful will this chapter be? What will the fashion be like? Stay tuned!

What else can fans look forward to from Apo in 2025?

It’ll be another year of growing up, perhaps with a moustache! Jokes aside, with Shine, I hope fans will get to see me more often.

It has been 10 years since you made your debut as an actor. A decade in the business is no small feat. What are some moments that you are proudest of?

Seeing people happy, especially my fans. Just from an interview where I simply share my perspective and opinion on things, they would come up and tell me how I've changed their lives. Just by looking at things with intention and sincerity, it would make their day. It's amazing and something to be proud of — it makes me feel valuable.

A new fashion season has begun. What are some objects that you’re currently obsessed with?

Watches and jewellery — I've always loved and had an interest in them. Wherever I go, I wear a watch as I’m used to checking the time on my wrist. It feels good to see the stones on the dial; they’re just so beautiful. As for jewellery, I always keep them on me as well, whether it's a necklace, bracelet, or ring. I feel like it shows that I pay attention to the details of my outfit — especially the Piaget Possession Ring because it spins. When you look closer, there are so many details.

You’ve been travelling quite extensively these days. What are some of your secrets to feeling and looking good after long flights and in different time zones?

I meditate by feeling myself from head to toe, acknowledging that I'm here, right now.

Is there anything you hope to have more or less of in 2025?

I hope to be more mindful, to know myself better, and to understand myself more because I want to be a better version of my true self. I also hope to be less lazy!

Happy birthday in advance. How do you hope to be spending it?

Thank you. For my birthday this year, I plan to spend some peaceful time with myself and my family.

Complete this sentence: As February arrives, it’s time to...

Be very happy, both in giving and receiving.

[pithypepper]

A little life update…

Hello Tumblr friends. (Are there any of you I can still call that?) I know it’s been months since my last post and I've ghosted y'all — please forgive me. My only explanation is that 2024 has been a sucky year. The TLDR is:

Dealing with dad's stroke

Hit a pedestrian

Saw a few shows and a couple of trips to see family

Laid-off and unemployment is laughable

New job scheduled to start after the first of the year

2-yr anniversary with BF, but not engaged

Perimenopause now full-on raging

Need to focus on health and wellness in 2025

The long of it is..

I started the year in the hospital at my dad’s bedside after he had an ischemic stroke, followed by a brain bleed cause by the medicine used to try to break up the clot that caused the first stroke. He's left the hospital but now lives in a nursing home for long-term care. He cannot walk or care for himself, his personality has shifted significantly, he has a modified diet due to limitations on swallowing, he's had his Medicare ID# stolen, and is generally not receiving great care from the facility, but our hands (his 4 daughters') are kind of tied because he is 3 minutes away from his wife and only one of us even lives in the same area.

Next year I'm sure we'll have more to deal with as his wife's memory is getting progressively, and maybe even concerningly, worse. Her mom had Alzheimer's, and my step-mom was regularly hit in the head by her step-dad as a child. On top of that, in the past decade she's had several decent head injuries. So we'll see what happens.

In February I hit and ran over an elderly pedestrian at a membership warehouse store with my car. She was hospitalized for at least a week with a broken leg, but I think she's otherwise ok? I was really terrified about what would happen, but she ended up settling with the insurance company and I was released from liability. It was very traumatic, (I'm sure more so for her!) but I had a couple of EMDR therapy with a counselor and it helped a lot.

Boyfriend and I saw a bunch of shows this year (favorite shows bolded):

Creed Bratton

John Crist

Stickmen

The Black Crowes

Mike Farris

Nashville Sounds baseball game

Angela Petrilli

Foreigner/Styx/John Waite

Asia

John Fogerty

Smashing Pumpkins

Green Day

One Vision of Queen featuring Marc Martel

Jukebox the Ghost

Lawrence

Beat (Vai, Belew, Levin, Carey)

We also took a trip to Pennsylvania to visit my mom and sister in July. Took in some historical stuff in Philly, took a day trip to see my sister in Connecticut, and went to Shady Maple Smorgasbord with my mom.

On September 29th, my boyfriend's mom passed away in TX, and on September 30th, I was informed that my position was being terminated in 6 weeks. We spent a week and a half in TX with his dad and brother for the funeral. (So grateful for bereavement and the ability to work from anywhere with that job.) She had Parkinson's, so her death wasn't unexpected, but the family wasn't expecting her to go so soon. My boyfriend had actually scheduled a trip to visit her just a week later and I'm heartbroken for him that he didn't have the chance to say goodbye in person. But if we're going to look at the bright side, his mom's health and weight had declined significantly, so at least his last memories of her are when she was a little bit more herself. Parkinson's is a terrible disease.

I wrapped up at my job a month ago but I had some savings which has gotten me through because TN unemployment is absolutely pitiful. And even better news, I signed an offer letter for a new job yesterday and it will come with an 11% pay raise over what I had been making, so all is not lost. I will say that my last job has been incredible - I was even outreached a month after being let go by the VP of Talent Acquisition offering to review my resume and help me with interview techniques. The people at that company really are some of the best.

Boyfriend and I passed our 2-year anniversary in November. It's kind of a big deal as it had been almost 20 years since my last relationship. I am hopeful for an engagement ring sometime soon, but (and I hate to say this) I don't feel solid it'll happen in the time frame I'd like, so I've been looking into apartments that are near the new job. If I don't move, I'm going to have at least an hour commute every day, possibly even an hour and a half each way. But I won't start looking until at least February/March. (Boyfriend and I do not believe in cohabitation before marriage.)

I haven't had a period since the end of July, so this is either peri- or full-on menopause. (Yes, I know I have to wait a full 12-months to be considered in full menopause.) It has come with not a lot of symptoms, but I have had some random joint pain (excruciating knee pain for about 6 weeks with no apparent reason for injury,) some mood issues, a few hot flashes. I did have a ghost period this month, which is an interesting experience. But I don't have a lot of complaints other than that.

My health could be a lot better, though. A couple of years ago I had lost about 60 pounds, and now I've gone and put it all back on and all the problems I had been experiencing have come back with it. I need to do a better job investing in myself and future. Hopefully having a job that has more structure in terms of location will be a help. (My last job had me working from home, from a hotel, and from the office depending on the week.) Routine is one thing that I know will help. Then I just have to find the will power.

If you've made it this far - wow! Thank you! Feel free to add your life updates (or not) in the comments. I have been sporadically getting onto Tumblr and lurking, but I'm sure I've missed a lot, too.

[asiapioneertravel]

Best Inclusive Vietnam Tour Packages in 2025

Vietnam in 2025 promises to be an extraordinary travel destination where timeless traditions seamlessly blend with modern charm. For those eager to explore the full beauty and diversity of this captivating country, the best Vietnam tour packages offer the ideal way to do so. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or a foodie in search of authentic local flavors, these all-inclusive tours cater to every kind of traveler. 

Get ready to embark on a journey that immerses you in the heart of Southeast Asia, creating unforgettable moments and memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Why should you choose a Vietnam tour package?

Convenience

Travel packages handle all logistics, including accommodations, transportation, and meals, allowing you to enjoy Vietnam without the hassle of planning.

Cost-effectiveness  

Bundled deals often offer better value and discounted rates for lodging, transportation, and activities, with clear pricing.

Expert Guidance

Local guides provide valuable insights into historical sites, cultural practices, and hidden gems, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of Vietnam.

Curated Itineraries 

Packages feature well-designed itineraries that balance top attractions with unique local experiences, showcasing Vietnam’s diversity.

Stress-free Travel  

Pre-arranged packages eliminate the stress of navigating language barriers and transportation, offering a relaxed and enjoyable trip.

2. Top 7 inclusive Vietnam tour packages for 2025

2.1. The Very Best of Vietnam (15 days)

The Very Best of Vietnam allows tourists to discover Vietnam’s top attractions. Start with Hanoi’s iconic sites and explore the ethnic villages in northern Sapa. Marvel at Halong Bay’s stunning limestone islands. Visit Danang’s highlights in central Vietnam, stroll through Hoi An Ancient Town, and explore Hue’s historic landmarks. Experience the Cu Chi tunnels and the lively Mekong Delta, before ending your journey in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City.

2.2. Vietnam Luxury Tour (13 days)

Luxurious accommodations and exclusive experiences are crafted for travelers seeking comfort and style.

Indulge in a luxurious journey through Vietnam with our Vietnam Luxury Tour, designed to offer top-notch service and exceptional experiences. Immerse yourself in the charm of Hanoi, cruise the stunning waters of Ha Long Bay aboard a 5-star ship, and soar back to Hanoi in a unique seaplane. Explore historic landmarks, unwind at a premier beach resort, and stroll through the enchanting streets of Hoi An. Savor an authentic Vietnamese lunch in Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy key attractions, including a luxurious sampan ride through the Mekong Delta’s waterways. Conclude your opulent adventure with a fine dining experience at one of the city’s top restaurants.

2.3. World Heritage Sites of Vietnam (13 days)

Discover UNESCO-listed treasures while learning about their historical significance.

Set off on an extraordinary exploration of Vietnam’s World Heritage Sites, each revealing a unique aspect of the country’s rich cultural and historical tapestry. Begin with the tranquil beauty of ancient temples, offering insights into Vietnam’s spiritual heritage—Marvel at natural wonders, from majestic mountains and lush valleys to pristine bays and shimmering lakes. Engage with local traditions through festivals, crafts, and cuisine, and uncover hidden underground treasures like intricate cave systems and ancient tunnels, adding adventure and depth to your journey. 

2.4. Vietnam Family Adventure (18 days)

Tailored for families, this package includes fun activities that engage both kids and adults alike

Vietnam Family Adventure offers an immersive experience of Vietnam’s stunning beauty and culture. Begin with a unique exploration of Hanoi on a Russian Minsk Motorcycle, then cruise through Halong Bay’s limestone karsts. Enjoy family-friendly hikes and cycling in Mai Chau and Pu Luong, followed by a sampan ride through Ninh Binh’s caves. Discover local village life in Nam Dinh, explore Hue’s highlights, and enjoy a fun farming day in Hoi An. Visit Ho Chi Minh City’s historical sites and the Cu Chi tunnels, and end with a deep dive into the tranquil countryside of Vung Liem (Mekong Delta).

2.5. Vietnam: A Special Honeymoon (18 days)

Celebrate your love with romantic getaways featuring intimate dining and luxurious stays.

Vietnam: A Special Honeymoon provides an enchanting backdrop for a once-in-a-lifetime romantic escape. This tour promises newlyweds unforgettable moments with diverse landscapes, rich traditions, and enchanting experiences. Sail through Ha Long Bay’s majestic limestone cliffs, stroll hand-in-hand through Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, and relax on Nha Trang’s serene beaches. Explore the vibrant life of Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the tranquil Mekong Delta. Each destination is designed to create lasting memories for couples.

2.6. A Food Lover’s Tour of Vietnam (13 days)

Explore Vietnamese cuisine through guided tastings and cooking classes.

A Food Lover’s Tour of Vietnam is a 13-day journey to savor exceptional Vietnamese cuisine and cultural experiences. Start in Hanoi with iconic ‘Pho,’ vibrant street food, and a cooking class. Enjoy 5-star dining on a Halong Bay cruise and explore Hoi An and Hue’s culinary heritage through artful dishes and hands-on cooking. Experience a street food tour in Ho Chi Minh City with local XO riders and finish in the Mekong Delta, tasting local delicacies while exploring by boat and bike. This tour is ideal for food enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in Vietnam’s rich flavors.

2.7. Vietnam In Depth (30 days)

This package offers deep cultural exchanges and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Vietnam In Depth is a 30-day adventure exploring Vietnam’s rich culture, history, and landscapes. Start with a city tour and cooking class in Hanoi, cruise Ha Long Bay, and cycle through Mai Chau. Visit Ninh Binh, Vietnam’s first Ramsar site, and Phong Nha’s vast caves. Discover Hue, Hoi An, and My Son Sanctuary. Relax on Nha Trang’s beaches, cruise the Mekong River, and end with a tour of Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels. This tour offers an immersive experience of Vietnam’s highlights.

3. What’s Included in the 2025 Vietnam Tour Packages?

Private English-speaking guide

Accommodation

Private tours and transfers

Domestic flights

Air-conditioned train travel

Some main meals

All entrance fees

Taxes and service charges

Let’s experience the magic of Vietnam in 2025 with exceptional tour packages crafted to reveal the country’s rich landscapes, vibrant culture, and hidden gems. Why don’t you start to set off on a remarkable voyage and uncover the best of Vietnam like never before?

[mariacallous]

“I can only sit still for about six to eight weeks at a time,” said writer and literary critic Caroline Eden. An avid adventurer with a taste for local cuisine, Caroline is best known for her books Samarkand, Black Sea,and Red Sands, which blend travel writing and recipes from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and beyond.

I happened to catch her at home, fresh off a trip through Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine that provided ample material for her recently launched newsletter, Journeys Beyond Borders. In Ukraine, she traveled south to Odesa to revisit the people and places she encountered in 2016–2017 when researching Black Sea. An updated edition of the book came out last November, which includes a new introduction reflecting on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a fascinating essay about eating lunch on the Bosphorus with Turkish ship spotter Yörük Işık, and, of course, an extra recipe.

Upon returning to Odesa in February, Caroline found that two years of all-out war had transformed the city deeply, though not beyond recognition. Retracing her steps, she visited the famous Pryvoz Market, where she met food vendors struggling to keep their businesses afloat in wartime. A couple of the restaurants Caroline had written about in her book had closed. And the locals she spoke to seemed worried about global attention shifting away from Ukraine. “I immediately noticed that there weren’t very many young people around because either they’ve left or they’re fighting, and the people who were there just looked exhausted,” she said. 

Caroline said the mood in Odesa lifted around Valentine’s Day, though only briefly. “Every other person on the street was carrying a bouquet of flowers,” she recalled. “The hotel I always stay in went full-on for Valentine’s and had petals and hearts scattered [everywhere], confetti on the floor, and a full booking for the night. But the following morning, at 4:00 a.m., we were in the bomb shelter because the air raid sirens were going off.” (Russia’s missile and drone strikes on Odesa would only intensify in the weeks that followed.)

Once home from her travels, Caroline set about recording the audiobook for her forthcoming memoir, Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Journeys, which will be released in the United Kingdom on May 9 (the U.S. edition hits stores in January 2025). Over the course of 12 chapters, each with a recipe at the end, Caroline takes readers inside her subterranean Edinburgh kitchen as she prepares dishes that evoke memories of different places that have influenced her thinking, work, and life. “It’s quite a meandering book,” she told me. “But the idea is that you can travel very well in the kitchen, with some imagination.” 

The following story was written by Caroline Eden for Meduza’s weekly email newsletter The Beet. The accompanying recipe is from her book, Red Sands.

A trip to the Dordoi Bazaar

Kyrgyzstan might be landlocked, but Bishkek, the country’s capital, has a market forged entirely from shipping containers. Dordoi Bazaar is made up of thousands of these steel boxes covering the equivalent of 160 rugby fields. Flipped on their sides and doubled up, they make efficient shops, rigged with lights and padlocked securely at night. Distinct in spirit and commerce, Kyrgyzstan’s biggest bazaar offers particular insights into local trade wars, hospitality, food, and the new Silk Road. Among locals, it is sometimes called the Dordoi Republic.

Thornton Cohen / Alamy / Vida Press

Dordoi employs 70,000 or so workers, officially and unofficially: drivers, unpackers, cooks, shopkeepers, tea boys, toilet attendants, security guards, waitresses, exchange tellers, and tailors. Pushers and pullers, handlers and dealers. All busy importing, exporting, and re-exporting. What may look anarchic at first is actually a very well-oiled operation. Money dictates order, and the bazaar is far too profitable to be chaotic. Dordoi has its own football (soccer) team and a mosque that is well-attended on Fridays.

Gold-painted statues of a man and two women flank the main entrance, a life-size monument to Central Asia’s “shuttle traders,” entrepreneurs who commute between different countries, buying goods in one location and then selling them elsewhere for profit. Memorialized, too, in gold, are piles of bulging suitcase-sized bags that each statue leans against. These familiar-looking squares of checkered woven plastic with handles are an instantly recognizable universal symbol of people on the move, of the entrepreneur and the newly arrived. 

Food also plays a vital role. Inside, on an average day, you’ll see tea ladies weaving and waltzing through the alleys, their trolleys set up with tea, coffee, and condensed milk, pushing deeper into the twisting, gurgling intestines of the bazaar’s ever-hungry belly. Prams operate as moveable cafés, too, with Thermoses filled with tea and blankets swaddling freshly baked samsa and bread. Trolleys of kumys, fermented mare’s milk, go whizzing by, white and splashing. Sometimes a cart, displaying all the ingredients for ashlan-fu (a noodle dish) or a giant mound of plov, topped with quail eggs, is pushed along. 

Caroline Eden

But one of the best places to eat is tucked between the China and Europe zones, where, if you search, you’ll spot a vendor tending to a tiny oven filled with rows of flaky samsa slowly turning ever more golden. Square rather than triangular, and filled with chicken rather than the more typical pumpkin, lamb, or mutton, the cook arranges his samsa in lines so their corners point upwards like a mountain range. Hot and moreish, the baker prepares 200 or so of these over the course of a lunchtime — and it is impossible to pass by without making a purchase. 

The recipe below, from Red Sands: Reportage and Recipes Through Central Asia, from Hinterland to Heartland, is a nod to those delicious samsa served at the Dordoi Bazaar.

Grand Asia Express Samsa

Essentially triangular Central Asian turnovers, samsa are eaten everywhere and are typically filled with lamb, potato, or pumpkin. They make for a perfect snack, eaten hot on the spot. Here’s a quick recipe named after the legions of trucks and truckers that arrive and depart from Dordoi Bazaar, picking up a samsa or two for their long border-crossing journeys. The onion seeds make a nice addition, but they are optional.

(Twelve is a great number for a party or gathering but a lot for a small household. You can simply divide all the ingredients in half to make six.)

MAKES 12 LARGE SAMSA

400g/14oz chicken breasts

1 tsp olive oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 medium-size potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

1 tsp ground cumin

1 x 500g/1lb 2oz packet of puff pastry 

1 egg, beaten, for an egg wash

1 tbsp onion seeds (optional)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4 and prepare a small roasting tin by lining it with tin foil.

Put the chicken breasts in the tin, rub them with olive oil, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast them in the oven for 25 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside to cool, then roughly chop.

Ola O. Smit

Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil and cook the potatoes for 15 minutes or until soft. Drain and set aside to cool.

Pulse the onion in a food processor until very fine, then add the cooled potatoes, and pulse again. Add the chicken, cumin, a good pinch of salt and pepper, and pulse again to bring the mixture together — you may need to scrape the sides of the bowl down as you go.

On a lightly floured surface, cut the pastry into quarters, then cut each quarter into thirds. Roll out each piece of pastry so that you have 12 rectangles, roughly 17 x 10cm (7 x 4in). Drop 40g/2 tbsp of the mixture onto one end of each rectangle, leaving a border around the edge. Brush the edges of the pastry with a little of the egg, then fold the other half over the top, pressing the edges together to seal well. Repeat with the remaining pastry. Brush the top of each samsa with egg and scatter over the onion seeds, if using. Place the samsas on the tray and bake for around 25–30 minutes until cooked through and completely golden.

[rose-in-a-fisted-glove]

Okay! So, I'd say about 75-80% of Americans who travel are the ones making 6+ figure salaries.

The rest of us just know how to do it on a budget.

Let me re-create my very first independent trip as an example with today's prices (because inflation) 9 days overseas, 3 in Berlin, 3 in Prague, 3 in Dresden

$800 - r/t airfare (for a very convenient arrival time of 10am)

€112 (120 USD) - 3 nights in Berlin at a highly rated hostel

€92 (99 USD)- 2 nights in Prague at a highly rated hostel in the tourist center

€75 (80 USD)- 2 nights in Dresden at a highly rated hotel

$20- Flix bus from Berlin airport to Dresden

$20/ $50- train from Berlin to Prague (local vs fast train)

$28 - train Prague to Dresden

Totalled together, that's $1200 for everything other than food and entertainment.

With regard to food, hostels have kitchens, so you could cook your own dinners and eat the leftovers the following day. For breakfast, you can get a bunch of yogurts and buy a bun or croissant pretty cheaply. For lunch, there are convenience shop or train station sandwichs.

So, figure something around $1600 in total once you factor in food and going to the museums and maybe a souvenir or two.

Our estimated total is $1600, I like to leave a cushion for emergency, so I would save $2000 to be safe.

So, let's say we want to go on this trip in October (because that's when I figured prices) of 2025. That means I should have flights and hotels booked no later than May 2025. That gives us 12 months to save from April 26, 2024.

In order to securely go on this vacation, we would need to save $167 per month for travel.

Now, there are people in circumstances that can't save $167 per month, I'm not denying that. But, a fair amount of the country's population is in a position where they could (if they wanted) put that money into travel. $167/month is only $42/week after all.

International travel is not only for the most upper of upper crust. Plenty of normal every day Americans travel internationally. And that's without counting Mexico and Canada which are (contrary to your supposition) easier to travel to than Europe or Asia are.

since moving here ive noticed europeans have no concept of how few americans ever leave USA. every american tourist youve met is of an economic crust that is vastly unobtainable to the other like. 85% generously. no matter what you have believed i can guarantee this. even getting to canada isnt really a possibility and the mexico-US border is highly controlled and militarized.

to put it into perspective. a ~2 hour flight from london to warsaw is like. 30 to 45 USD?

and a 2 hour flight from one US city to another would be about 130 USD

it was very cheap to fly here. i make over 100k USD now and i dont know if ill ever be able to afford leaving. if that gives you an idea of how prohibitive travel is here. i havent even touched on how the US has Zero guaranteed holidays by the govt. many people here go years without ever having an entire week off of work

this has had a like. massive impact on American Brain and they dont even know it because travel isnt even a consideration economically. they dont even know how much more vacation time european countries have guaranteed

[third-new]

Ed Sheran 2025 Indian Trip: Days, Places, Tickels, How to Book Your Location Check details

Britain's music lovers were held on January 26, as the British pop sense of Britain. After the fascinated concert in Ahmedabad on January 26, Ed Schen started his visit to India's visit to India. Bringing his “+ / x” to the city, Ed Shireran was wearing a t-shirt, the crowd. A dot. This visit is presented by AEG, Asia and Book Mmmushov live. British pop icon is Hyderabad, Chennai, Benalchy,…

[newtras]

Ed Sheran 2025 Indian Trip: Days, Places, Tickels, How to Book Your Location Check details

Britain's music lovers were held on January 26, as the British pop sense of Britain. After the fascinated concert in Ahmedabad on January 26, Ed Schen started his visit to India's visit to India. Bringing his “+ / x” to the city, Ed Shireran was wearing a t-shirt, the crowd. A dot. This visit is presented by AEG, Asia and Book Mmmushov live. British pop icon is Hyderabad, Chennai, Benalchy,…

[satrthere]

Ed Sheran 2025 Indian Trip: Days, Places, Tickels, How to Book Your Location Check details

Britain's music lovers were held on January 26, as the British pop sense of Britain. After the fascinated concert in Ahmedabad on January 26, Ed Schen started his visit to India's visit to India. Bringing his “+ / x” to the city, Ed Shireran was wearing a t-shirt, the crowd. A dot. This visit is presented by AEG, Asia and Book Mmmushov live. British pop icon is Hyderabad, Chennai, Benalchy,…

[realesatatedubai]

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