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South-East Asia

Destination guide

Singapore

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The omicron variant has been found in Singapore, which has been opening its borders to select countries since October.
Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort and Spa, booked by the writer through Aldi Holidays.

I booked a bargain trip through Aldi Holidays. Here’s how it went

Sometimes the products Aldi sells are just a little bit off the mark, but eight nights in Thailand – including return flights for three – for less than $4000 was too cheap to resist.

  • Caroline Zielinski
Shipshape: The hotel pool.

Luxury hotels don’t come more shipshape than this classy Singapore property

Overlooking Marina Bay, this hotel is an art, architecture and culinary haven.

  • Anthony Dennis
The temple complex in Angkor Ban, on the banks of the Mekong River.  

The other Angkor: A village that time forgot

As a murderous regime devastated most of Cambodia, one village managed to remain intact.

  • Tim Richards
A classic Thai street food market on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok’s Chinatown neighbourhood.

Secrets of a stingy traveller: 10 things I’ve learnt about travel on a budget

The first secret about being a stingy traveller? You’ll have more fun. Here are my tips on how to get around, where to stay and what to eat that will save you a fortune.

  • Paul Marshall
Economy seats offer 32 inches (81 centimetres) of seat pitch.

Service may have fallen, but this Asian airline still delivers

My neighbour, a newcomer to air travel, has little concept of private space or armrest etiquette.

  • John Borthwick
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Traditional wooden boats cross the Mekong with Cai Be church in the background.

The spirit of Vietnam bursts into life along the Mekong

During a cruise on the Mekong River, an excursion proves nourishing in more ways than one.

  • Tim Richards
Pork larb at Porkfat.

This harmonious dish is one of Asia’s greatest gifts to the world

The phrase “meat salad” isn’t all that appetising. And yet, laab is a spectacular cornucopia of flavours, all in perfect harmony.

  • Ben Groundwater
The main pool.

There’s a new Raffles in Singapore and it’s not like the old one

This new resort came with great expectations, as the country’s second Raffles property after the best-known and most historic hotel in Singapore.

  • Craig Platt
Crossing the road in Vietnam: slow and steady, never stop.

Ten things we’ll never understand about Vietnam

Australian visitor numbers are surging, but there are still many things that might puzzle you about this endearing nation.

  • Brian Johnston
Ninh Binh is often described as “Ha Long Bay on land”.

Australians are flocking here. It might be the next victim of overtourism

As the country hits a landmark 20 million visitors a year, a journey from Phu Quoc to Ninh Binh reveals what’s at stake if tourism outpaces culture.

  • Julietta Jameson