Cloves

She had a unique scent Smelt like cloves to him “It’s my shampoo”, she said “It comes from your palms Your ears Your lips And your whole self too I smell cloves too when I hold you tight” He whispered in her ears With her in his arms   Does she still smell cloves? He …

It’s been a journey…

I’m writing here at a place about 170km from Hanoi. I’m staying at a lovely wooden house, surrounded by nature, with breathtaking rice fields in front. Yes, I wanted to spend the last few days of my 20s that way. My birthday is around the corner. Just this weekend. Very near indeed. The day that …

Climbing up Lang Biang Peak in Đà Lạt

Đà Lạt is many people’s favourite for a relaxing alpine holiday. It’s mine too, but I’m more into adventurous activities in nature. The Central Highlands city is perfect for the great outdoors such as canoeing, biking, hiking and cycling due to its fantastic landscapes. There are tours galore, but I prefer DIY trips, so I …

Vulnerability

When I told him I loved him, admittedly, I was expecting him to say the same thing back to me. But then I realised I didn’t need to expect anything. I just needed to be honest with my feelings and express them. And I did. What’s wrong to say you love someone if you do? …

Soulful Polish artist who loves to paint nature

From the very first moment I looked at Marta Kisiliczyk’s paintings, I couldn’t take my eyes off them. The more I looked at those paintings, the more I was drawn into an artistic world of bizarre colours and shapes: a fierce and intense red, a calm hue of blue, a relaxing green and a joyous …

Humble plants turned to pleasant edible art

Huế-based celebrated cook Mai Thị Trà has eaten a strict vegetarian diet since the historic flooding which left hundreds dead in the city in 1999. Prior to the flooding, she ate veggie food for only two to 10 days a month as part of her Buddhism. However, after the flooding, she went to help the monks at a nearby …

Con Dao – A summer paradise

Even with my eyes closed, I can still imagine the peacefully mesmerising blue colour of the ocean, the shining sun caressing my neck and the relaxing breeze kissing my cheeks. Con Dao was such a summer paradise, a perfect end for my one-month trip. Yet it took me by surprise. I didn't put much hope …

As long as we love

It is never easy to say goodbye in love, for both those who say this and those who have to listen to this. Even when you have been hurt so much, it is never easy. Because of the vacancy that stays when the other one has gone. You would long for yesterday when they were …

Stitch arts for the soul

While looking for a new hobby a few years ago, Russian designer Katerina Lamteva, or Kate, came upon embroidery and fell in love with the art instantly. She decided to organise a weekend embroidery workshop to share her knowledge and connect people through embroidery. Her class runs from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays at Craft …

Street treats that make a trip to An Giang sweet

Two kinds of cakes made from simple local ingredients show the diverse culture of An Giang – a Mekong Delta province and also one of the most mysterious and mesmerising places in Việt Nam. Both cakes are bánh bò or steamed rice cake. The most renowned one is bánh bò thốt nốt (steamed rice cake with palm sugar paste), while …