Sol Life

restaurant

“you can actually choose between 3 types of pho here I went for the mix of norther and southern style broth.”

cafe

“starting off the trip at this LP cafe the cafe is filled with old records and books kind of looks like an old movie set the atmosphere is so cosy there’s also a separate section with lower music and no talking if you prefer more of a quiet ambience I usually don’t like sweet coffee, but this was pretty good the cafe also opens 24 hours if you’re looking for a late night cafe”

shopping

“this book street is right around the corner from the post office and is filled with these tiny bookstores they also sell postcards and notebooks also found these cute magnets and of course so many books the shops offered a wide range of Vietnamese literature they seem to have some translated pieces in English if you want to try Vietnamese literature”

restaurant

“dinner is haidilao hotpot I always end up craving hotpot and you can’t go wrong with Haidilao.”

experience

“right in the middle of the city is this pastel pink church which really stands out due to its colour... it’s still a functioning church so visitors are not allowed inside during mass hours.”

cafe

“the cafe is quite chill feels like stepping into someone’s living room found a cosy spot on their second floor loft the staff were so sweet they makes each matcha on order I got the coconut matcha the coconut milk and matcha go really well together also loved the added coconut flakes”

shopping

“this is one of the biggest markets in the city and houses thousands of stalls selling everything from clothes, accessories to fresh produce.”

shopping

“this shop had some really beautiful ceramics I loved all the subtle and earthy colours Vietnam has so many great ceramics stores and the prices were really reasonable too.”

shopping

“there’s so many fun items how cute is this coffee cup the shop itself was so cool there was so many items I wanted to buy would also make great presents.”

cafe

“starting off the trip at this LP cafe the cafe is filled with old records and books kind of looks like an old movie set the atmosphere is so cosy... the cafe also opens 24 hours if you’re looking for a late night cafe”

restaurant

“this place seems to be highly recommended if you want a good bowl of pho in Saigon... they’re famous for making their noodles fresh right inside the restaurant which gives it its bouncy texture.”

experience

“found this temple right across from the cafe... there are these spiral incense hanging from the ceiling each of them slowly burning it’s so peaceful compared to the busy city outside.”

cafe

“this is a specialty coffee spot it has this vintage, warm design inside and an open balcony... this was definitely one of my favorite coffee experiences in Saigon.”

experience

“the museum is housed in this colonial-era building it showcases paintings, sculptures, and ceramics from various periods... the museum displays over 22,000 artworks and artefacts.”

restaurant

“of course I’ve got to try some banh mi while I’m here... it’s actually huge... I recommend buying one to share.”

shopping

“the design and cuts are quite unique there’s also so many cool jewellery stores”

shopping

“all the prices were affordable too there’s so many items to look around some of them were quite flashy but it was fun to look around”

shopping

“I was most excited to check out this shoe and bag store they had some cool pieces”

shopping

“time for my favorite activity which is grocery shopping in a foreign country there’s something about finding ingredients and snacks in a new country.”

shopping

“this is a multi-storey complex with cafes, boutique stores, and restaurants... it’s a great place for some souvenir shopping each floor has these little gift shops with a lot of local goods.”

restaurant

“I really wanted to try this crispy pancake it’s made from rice flour, water, and turmeric and is filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts it was even better wrapped a rice paper roll.”

shopping

“I was mostly interested in this fragrance shop... the scents were all really unique and the packaging was so pretty the staff are also super knowledgeable and helpful.”

experience

“Saigon Central Post Office is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic historic buildings even today, it functions as a post office... you can also find lots of postcards and cute souvenirs.”

shopping

“this was probably my favourite souvenir shop they stocked mostly handmade local goods from lamps to ceramics they had some really unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.”

cafe

“the cafe design is so stylish I liked that you can choose your preferred coffee beans here sometimes aesthetic cafes like this don’t have good coffee but the coffee here was quite good.”

shopping

“this store had quite a good selection of Vietnamese designers especially liked this silver jewellery brand.”

restaurant

“I wanted to try these deep fried doughnuts... they were freshly made and still warm it surprisingly had this savoury meat filling”

cafe

“egg was used in the past due to a shortage of milk at the time it tastes like custard with a shot of coffee”

shopping

“I wasn’t expecting it to be inside a barber store this is a second hand eyewear shop I wanted some sunglasses for the trip and I heard they had quite a good range... actually had some good finds here”

cafe

“this cafe looks like it’s out of a fairytale each floor has its own design it feels like you’re in a little rustic cottage... it was a nice place to have a break”

restaurant

“this small phở shop is tucked away on a side street but I think it’s well worth the effort to find it... the broth was so rich and aromatic the fried dough was a game changer”

cafe

“time to try some Vietnamese desserts it was so refreshing and not too sweet”

cafe

“this is a specialty coffee shop that uses Vietnamese beans... the coffee is topped with this coconut cream the sweet coconut cream with the coffee was so good”

experience

“there’s this lake right in the middle of the city it’s a little peaceful break from the bustling city it looked like many locals come here for some rest”

restaurant

“the meal comes with fresh bánh mì... the bread was crispy on the outside and soft and chewy inside so good dipped with the sauce and pate”

shopping

“right at the end lies this little bookstore... this charming little bookstore feels like taking a step back in time... I think it’s still worth a visit”

experience

“this is one of the best places to see the sunset in Hanoi you can see the sun go down across the lake the whole lake turns this golden hue”

restaurant

“this is a sticky rice dish that you can top with various meat and pate... this was so savoury and flavourful it was even better with the added egg and cucumber salad”

experience

“we’re taking a grab to our next stop which is the incense village in Hanoi... the incense bundles are made into different shapes and patterns which makes them great for photos the staff were really nice and showed me the making process”

restaurant

“we’re at this steamed rice roll place for dinner the rice rolls are made fresh after ordering the rolls were thin and soft and filled with pork and mushrooms everything was so delicious”

shopping

“I knew I had to visit when I found out there was a pottery village in Hanoi... if you love unique kitchenware like me this place is like a dream... highly recommend a visit!”

shopping

“if you can only visit one store I’d suggest this one it had a collection of all the different designs that I saw in other stores and everything was reasonably priced”

experience

“Temple of Literature”

restaurant

“first we’re getting some lunch we’re at this spring roll place that comes with freshly grilled meat skewers and this beef in wrapped in leaves which is a must try... this was my first meal in Vietnam and one of my favorites”

cafe

“most coffees here are separated into robusta or arabica arabica is a bit more light and fruity while robusta is intense and rich I personally prefered the robusta beans”

shopping

restaurant

cafe

“Vietnam is said to be the second largest coffee producers globally the coconut coffee is what won my heart I’m going to have to try and make it when I get back home”

experience

“today we’ll explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter by foot”

shopping

shopping

“I wanted to check out this new lifestyle store this is a popular online store that just opened up this physical showroom they have everything from home decor, kitchen items, stationery to fashion accessories they have a lot of cute and unique items in particular they had a great kitchenware and ceramics section the store carries mostly Korean local brands and the prices were pretty reasonable”

shopping

“HAUS NOWHERE SEOUL tour since I was in the area I wanted to check the new store by Gentle Monster this is a multi-brand retail store the first floor is the fragrance brand Tamburins their new scent is meant to smell like the warmth of a puppy which explains the packaging it actually smelt really cosy with woody and sweet tones the building itself is a mix of art, design, and commerce the second floor is gentle monster it looks like a set of a sci-fi movie the third floor is the new tableware store Nuflaat they and some really interesting designs for the 5th floor you need to take this industrial elevator which leads to the tea house you can smell and buy some of their tea blends the teahouse can be reserved by catchtable or onsite I didn’t make a reservation and the wait was about 40-50 minutes I didn’t have time but want to try the desserts next time”

shopping

“the second floor is gentle monster it looks like a set of a sci-fi movie”

shopping

“the third floor is the new tableware store Nuflaat they and some really interesting designs for the 5th floor”

outdoor adventure

“there’s one more stop I want to visit today Just about 20 minute walk away is this Hangang park which is a great area to just sit and chill”

cafe

“I almost walked past it the cafe is built in a renovated clothes repair shop and specializes in drip coffee they also do cocktails at night even though it’s a small store it was packed with locals the owner seems serious about coffee and hand drips each coffee on order I got the India blend which were meant to have notes of dark chocolate the cafe had more of a speak easy bar atmosphere the coffee was quite rich but did have a bit of acidity”

cafe

“Coffee roasters cafe Teamlee so I decided to walk to the next cafe which was a bout 30 minutes away this is another speciality coffee shop but they also do desserts too I ended up getting the decaf but the coffee was still so good but unexpectedly this cake ended up being my favorite the shop had so many interesting flavor combinations I would definitely come here again”

shopping

“Record shop (Kimbap records) this is one of my favorite record stores in Seoul they have such a wide collection of vinyls with a good mix of genres I always find new records I want when I visit you can also find a lot of indie Korean bands there’s a small sitting area so you can listen to the albums if you’re in Seoul and looking to buy an vinyl this is a good place to start”

cafe

“Camel coffee today we’re near Gyeongbokgung palace this cafe is renovated from the old town post office the cafe is all wood tones and warm the second floor has these huge open windows with views of the palace walls I love all the rustic interior they’re best known for their signature “Camel Coffee” which is a milky/creamy espresso drink topped with cream I just got the latte because the camel coffee seemed a bit sweet the coffee was really good but the cafe was a bit noisy it’s one of those cafes people come to chat but a good choice if you’re looking for a good coffee near the palace”

experience

“today we’re near Gyeongbokgung palace the second floor has these huge open windows with views of the palace walls I love all the rustic interior the back area of the Gyeongbukgung palace is really nice too”

bar

“off to the next cafe this is retro-themed vinyl cafe the cafe was opened by a music curator so you know the music selection is on point overall the mood is quiet and calm they serves coffee, tea and some cocktails the beans are roasted by Upstanding Coffee which is one of my favorite cafes the coffee was rich and nutty actually perfect for some work or reading or you can just sit and enjoy the music I also brought my laptop to do some work I really liked this cafe but it is quite small so there may be a waiting list”

cafe

“this is a tea house i’ve been wanting to visit the store looks like a museum love the spiral staircase you can select which tea you want and it comes with a dessert pairing and they prepare it for you right in front of you each tea has it’s own story this one is meant to remind you of walking through a green field the tea was quite fruity with a bit of citrus flavours which paired will with the peach dessert this cafe is also a perfume store so you can check out the perfumes on the second floor”

cafe

“Matcha in traditional Hanok this is another new cafe that seems to have good matcha the cafe is in this traditional hanok with a little garden in the middle the interior is a mix of modern and traditional they also had coffee but I was more interested in the matcha it’s still quite hard to find real match in Seoul but this place looked good the staff suggested taking sip of the matcha first before mixing the matcha was rich but not bitter at all it was slightly sweet, still had strong matcha flavors that brings us to the end o”

restaurant

“grabbing some lunch first this kimbap looks so simple but it’s one of my favorites”

cafe

“everyone knows of the famous Jayeondo salt bread but I think this place is more popular for locals so i’m excited to try it”

cafe

“i’m here to check out this vinyl cafe which sits right on the water the space is quite large and not crowded at all the music selection is a bit limited but still had some good albums got a seat looking out to the river today’s album of choice there’s a 2 hour limit the entry includes a free drink and there is also wifi this is also one of the stops on the new Hanggang bus great place to see the sunset”

cafe

“first up is this cafe by the railway the atmosphere feels like a hidden cabin the wooden interior makes it feel extra cozy the cafe has large windows looking out on the train tracks and seats right across so you can watch the trains passing by the coffee itself wasn’t too acidic and was quite refreshing it was so relaxing to just sip coffee and watch the view”

experience

“just a 15 min walk from the cafe is the national museum love this framed view of Namsan tower here the museum itself is free entry and spans across 3 floors it’s my first time visiting and I was really impressed by the collection definitely recommend a visit if you’re interested in Korean art and culture the digital installation was also worth visiting but the most famous display is this Room of Quiet Contemplation which features two bodhisattva statues, each designated as National Treasure of Korea there’s so many different parts of the museum you could probably spend hours here also make sure to drop by the museum gift shop this is also such a good place to get Korean souvenirs you can find unique items with Korean motifs love these pearl stickers and this incense stove they also have this unique T-money for transport and payments while traveling”

cafe

“the beans are roasted by Upstanding Coffee which is one of my favorite cafes”

cafe

“starting the day that this new popular salt bread bakery in Seongsu the salt breads here sell out fast, so I recommend coming early everyone knows of the famous Jayeondo salt bread but I think this place is more popular for locals so i’m excited to try it it was about a 30 min wait to get in and there were only a few salt breads left with some flavors being sold out but I was mostly interested in the original the line is long but the staff work really fast and finally secured the goods! if you like crispy salt bread I think you’ll like this one”

restaurant

“this restaurant intrigued me the most this interior was so cosy too with little nooks to sit in kind of feels like you walked into someones home with all the retro designs it looks like it’s a restaurant, cafe and bar I ordered the hayashi rice it tasted like a home cooked meal”

shopping

“last stop is this bookstore I love getting travel ideas from magazines a hint at my upcoming trips ;) I think it’s a great way to find some local recommendations but I also just like looking at the photos and illustrations they also had a whole section on cameras”

experience

“Tower of Sun- favourite exhibition headed out to explore around noon inside this tower is this quirky exhibition the museum is called Tree of Life it depicts the evolution process of life from reptiles and dinosaurs to mankind highly recommend if you’re looking for something unique to do”

experience

“it’s meant to rain today I thought the aquarium would be good place to escape the rain I forgot how huge this place is you can definitely spend a few hours here the otters were so cute! the aquarium is actually really well designed you start at the surface and slowly go under it’s been agers since I’ve been to a aquarium it was kind of peaceful to just walk around”

shopping

“if you’re looking for somewhere less crowded to shop this shopping street runs just parallel to Dotonbori and has a mix of fashion boutiques, lifestyle shops and cafés I think you can definitely find more bold styles in Osaka so you might get some unique finds”

cafe

“this cafe is one of my favourites in Osaka the coffee is always good here it’s been unusually chilly for this year but I still choose to sit outside”

cafe

“this shop was on my coffee list they’re meant to have really good coffee and the baked goods looked amazing especially this salt bread they seem to have all my favourites they were just roasting their beans so the whole shop smelt like fresh coffee beans I got my usual latte and carrot cake the cake wasn’t too sweet and goes so well with the coffee”

experience

“the temple is already looking so beautiful the temple is famous for these daruma dolls you can find them everywhere scattered around the temple it was fun going around finding them surrounded by green the whole area was so refreshing you can also collect these stamps around the temple now to have a look around the temple the temple is known as the “temple for winner’s luck” people visit to pray for luck in work, studies, sports, etc”

restaurant

“time for some lunch came to this popular udon place they make all their udon in store I got the mentaiko and butter udon the noodles were so chewy”

restaurant

“headed back to the city time for some dinner I was craving some gyukatsu looks so good I was going to go to gyukatsu motomura but there was over an hour wait and I think this place is just as good”

shopping

“so you might get some unique finds this is a coffee shop and select store fun place to find some souvenirs”

cafe

“this is a retro kissaten this kissaten was founded in 1948 and is the birthplace of mixed fruit juice, a staple in these retro cafes you can feel the retro vibe as soon as you walk in it’s like you slipped back in time they serve coffee, desserts and light meals I ordered a fruit sandwich and iced latte the fresh cream and fruit is such a good combination the coffee was quite good too”

experience

“this little neighbourhood full of cute stores and coffee shops a lot off them tend to have odd opening hours so I suggest checking before visiting but there we’re so many cafes I wanted to visit and the streets were so cute just walking around you can find fun shop fronts it’s such a charming area”

experience

“Hoa Lu old town”

day trip

“Ninh Binh river canoe”

shopping

“the first floor is the fragrance brand Tamburins their new scent is meant to smell like the warmth of a puppy which explains the packaging it actually smelt really cosy with woody and sweet tones”