Travel in Vietnam

It’s a curious thing, queer travel: When I’m at home, my queerness is an inalienable part of me, a concrete fact; but when I go abroad it activates like a magnet, drawing me close to certain people and places, drawing those people and places closer to me. It’s a joy that borders on the ecstatic, to find yourself—and others like yourself—wherever you are. So if you must travel, I recommend being gay while doing it. It’s not for everyone, but it can really lighten things up.

Sep 11, 2024 • 6 min read

Seabourn will have two ships sailing in Asia in late 2024 and 2025.

Sep 9, 2024 • 6 min read

Indian Gen Z and Millennials prefer to travel in the off-peak season to avoid crowds and reduce costs, according to a report by online visa application platform Atlys.

As summer begins to draw to a close, some of us may find that we aren’t ready yet to put away our beach towels and let go of sun-kissed days on beautiful white-sand beaches. Among the hundreds of thousands of beaches in the world, one region has a remarkable number of seaside paradises—Southeast Asia. After taking a look at some of the most spectacular beaches found there, it’s easy to understand how the region has emerged as one of the world’s most popular destinations.

Over 80% of Indians have either had or are planning a destination wedding, a survey conducted by search aggregator Skyscanner showed. This preference is strongest among Gen Z, with about 50% of that group indicating that they are considering a destination wedding. This figure is 33% among Millennials. 

“I tell my friends that I'm now midcentury modern,” the New York–based fashion designer Phillip Lim quips about turning 50. “And like the furniture, hopefully better with age.” Joking aside, Lim, who launched his 3.1 Phillip Lim label in 2005 and now sells his signature clean-lined clothing in shops around the world, saw the landmark birthday as a chance to take stock. “I heard somewhere that, with 50, you get a second dawn. I took that to heart.”

Between Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO world heritage sites, its thriving wildlife, and pristine white sand beaches, the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” has enough glimmer for everyone—and now, visiting the South Asia island nation, located off the coast of India, is about to get easier (and cheaper) for travelers from 35 countries.

Aug 23, 2024 • 0 min read

Aug 21, 2024 • 7 min read

Heritage Line is celebrating its 16th anniversary by offering discounts and perks on upcoming river cruise sailings in Southeast Asia.

Catch Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia in conversation with Saniya Zanpure, Skift’s research analyst, as they dive into the Skift Travel Health Index (STHI) — a tool that tracks and measures the performance of various travel sectors. They explore why the travel industry in 2024 is mirroring 2023, with insights into the factors driving this stability. Plus, they look at India’s rise as a major player in global travel and find out what’s fueling this rapid growth.

For so many, Siem Reap, Cambodia, is synonymous with its famed UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, one of Southeast Asia’s most significant archaeological grounds. But beyond these iconic ruins is a city brimming with riverside cafés, festive bar scenes, cultural experiences, and French-style colonial streets. Siem Reap is also a culinary hotspot, boasting everything from expertly crafted street food to contemporary cuisine, with several restaurants earning spots on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. And outside the urban hustle lies exciting cultural experiences in the province’s rural villages and countryside.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Todor Merdjanov, 33, a Bulgarian university student who spent a month in September 2013 attending Korean language classes at Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Aug 12, 2024 • 12 min read

It would be easy to argue that a cruise is the best way to see Asia, especially for first-time visitors to the region. Many cruise lines build robust itineraries designed to visit as many bucket-list destinations as possible across numerous countries. From the bustling streets of Tokyo and the tranquil waters of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay to the ancient temples in Cambodia and street food vendors of Singapore, cruising allows travelers to uncover the richness of Asia with ease and comfort.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) reported earnings Tuesday, and said it isn’t seeing signs of demand weakness outside of China.

With Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan just a few days apart with a weekend in between, Indian travelers are looking to use this opportunity to vacation. Online travel agency Agoda has witnessed an increase of over 260% in travel searches from Indians compared to the same period last year. 

Aug 5, 2024 • 6 min read

Pantone is just like us, in the sense that they, too, are setting their intentions for the year — one filled with strength and energy. The Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, which the company describes as powerful and empowering. “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration… [It] revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint.” A year surrounded by joy and self-expression sounds like a year well spent to us.