Divanun Guide/ Vietnam

 

The Divanun Guide is a one pager of everything to eat, see, and do in Vietnam

Historical

IMG_8418.jpg

  • Hanoi

    • Temple of Literature- hosts the first national university built in 1070

    • Tran Quoc Pagoda- The oldest buddhist temple in Hanoi

    • Old Quarter- a historic district

  • Phong Nha

    • Caves- Phong Nha Cave and Paradise are the ones I explored but there are others here

  • Ninh Binh

    • Hoa Lu- the ancient capital of Vietnam

    • BIch Dong Pagoda

  • Hoi An

    • My Son- ancient temple complex

Cultural

IMG_8331.jpg

  • Hanoi

    • Weekends in the Old Quarter- a great place to see how locals spend their time

  • Phong Nha

    • Duck Stop- a duck farm where you can feeds ducks and make wishes.

  • Hoi An

    • Museums- this city has tons of museums about history, art, and culture

Food

IMG_8385.jpg

  • Hanoi

    • Bun Cha Ta Hanoi- bun cha is a dish comprised of grilled pork and noodles that is dipped in a soup with aromatic herbs

    • PIzaza 4P’s- amazing japanese pizza joint.

    • Pho Cuon Huong Mai- get the pho noodle wraps and other dishes using the pho rice noodles

    • Foodshop 45- a delicious Indian spot

    • Pasteur Street Brewing Company- amazing Vietnamese brewery make sure you try their passion fruit beer- its divine

    • The Hill Station- great cocktails made from Vietnamese rice liquor

  • Phong Nha

    • D-Arts Zone- had some amazing bun cha here

  • Hoi An

    • Madam Khanh The Bahn Mi Queen- the best Bahn Mi i had in Vietnam/ my entire life

    • Dong Au Restaurant Hoi An- really great noodle dishes

    • Lantern Town Restaurant- amazing dishes cooked in clay pots. I had this eggplant and beef dish that was phenomenal

    • Central Market- tons of little food stalls. Make sure you try the white rose dumplings

    • Boulevard Gelato & Coffee- really good place for an icy treat in the heat

Miscellaneous

IMG_8370.jpg

  • Hanoi

    • Accomodation: Vietnam Backpackers Old Quarter- really easy place to meet people and its near all of the travel agencies for when you want to plan your trip.

  • Phong Nha

    • Accomodation:

      • Gecko Hostel & Bar is where I stayed very clean and nice

      • Easy Tiger Hostel- this place was highly recommended and I would have stayed here if I was in town any longer

  • Hoi An

    • Accomodation: Tribee Kinh Hostel- one of the best hostels I stayed at in all of SE Asia. The people were super friendly, they always have events, and they genuinely created a warm atmosphere

    • Tailoring

      • Bao Khanh Silk- this place is mid range price wise, however they have great quality and a really fast turn around. I would show them pictures of what I wanted and they would come out great. When it comes to alterations they really know their stuff.

      • Happy Day- this place is where you go for leather goods. I got a cute bag made and some shoes. My only advice is to ask them to stitch the soles instead of gluing them.

    • Really great night market across the bridge.

Divanun Guide/ London

 

This DivaNun Guide is a one pager of everything to do, see, and eat in London.

Historical

IMG_3305s.jpg

  • Big Ben

    • It was covered in scaffolding when I was there so I never visited but I did see it while on a bus.

  • Tower Bridge

    • Really gorgeous bridge great spot to take photos

  • Buckingham Palace

  • St Dunstan's in the East

    • this really cool dilapadated church which is great for photoshoots

Cultural

IMG_4564.jpg

  • Carnival

    • An annual summer celebration towards the end of August. One of the most crowded events I've ever been to. It honestly stressed me out and was very difficult to leave.

  • Tate Modern

    • An amazing museum you need to go

  • RIflemaker

    • a really cool museum in an old rifle making shop

  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

    • If you love botanical gardens like me then this place is a must.

  • Guest Projects

    • a really cool art space that is right off a cute canal

  • Barbican Centre

    • Beautiful brutalist architecture that enclose a cafe, art space, and gorgeous views

  • Black Cultural Archives

    • A National Heritage Center dedicated to telling the stories of African and Caribbean People in Britain

Food

IMG_3667s.jpg

East London

  • Pivaz

    • A cute little restaurant on Chatsworth Road where I used to live. Great meditterean food for a bomb price

  • Martello Hall

    • PIzza shop right next to London Fields that has a really good brunch special

  • Netil360

    • Rooftop bar with great city views and a good atmosphere

  • The Barge House

    • Brunch spot known for their bread baskets, very delicious

  • Waterhouse

    • Tiny spot on a canal that has amazing sandwiches. Try the fried chicken or mushroom burger.

  • Dishoom Shoreditch

    • really good indian

  • Andina London

    • very good spot for juices or South American themed cocktails

  • PIzza East

    • really delicious pizza spot

  • The Boundary Project

    • rooftop restaurant that might require a reservation. Best time to go is on Sunday night when they have half priced shell fish!

  • Gunpowder

    • Indian

  • Som Saa

    • Thai spot

  • Clapton Craft

    • nice spot to pick up craft beers

  • Damascus Bite

    • amazing middle eastern place in Brick Lane

  • The Boundary Project

    • A chic rooftop restaurant and bar that has great specials on Sundays

  • Pepper & Spice

    • Jamaican food in Dalston

 

West London

  • Shackfuyu

    • Asian fusion place get the sampler platter so you can try everything this place has to offer

  • Bun House

    • get your fill of dumplings at this spot

  • Crosstown Doughnuts & Coffee

    • delicious confectionary goods

South London

  • Mango Indian

    • one of my fav Indian spots in the city

  • Fish, Wings, and Tings

    • get the appetizers which are fried codfish or peas and a cocktail and you have yourself a good afternoon

  • Healthy Eaters

    • my favorite spot to get some goat curry and a beef patty

  • Ghost Whale

    • nice spot to pick up some craft beers

  • Persepolis

    • Vegetarian and Vegan MIddle Eastern food

  • Ganapati

    • the location of some amazing swordfish curry and other south Indian fare

  • Pedler

    • a nice brunch spot

  • Morley’s

    • This fast food chicken shop is only on the south side of the Thames but it’s worth a trip. The best chicken shop chain in London.

Miscellaneous

  • Transportation

    • The Public Transportation in London is amazing. The buses are the best fleet ever, they take you all around the city. The trains have numerous stations and plenty of transfer points which make navigating the city a breeze.

  • Nightlife

    • Dalston Superstore

      • a great queer club, had so many good nights dancing here

    • Eagle London

      • hosts a party every sunday called Horse Meat Disco

    • Pxssy Palace

      • an amazing queer and femme of color centered dance party that happens every couple of weeks

    • BBZ

      • another queer and poc centered art and party space that hosts amazing events

    • 5Miles

      • a cool event space in Tottenham that my friends threw parties at often

 

  • Facebook Groups

    • Hackney Wick Spaces

      • How I searched for housing in East London

    • London Fashion Creatives

      • a facebook event where artists and creatives and models can come together and collbaborate