Paul Mulligan
Travel Writer & Cultural Explorer
Latest from Paul Mulligan
20 Articles
Spending Time in the Amazon Jungle: What No One Tells You Before You Go
Spending time in the Amazon Jungle may sound like a dream come true… and it was, despite being woefully underprepared for not one visit but two to the depths of
The Long-Awaited Pulse: The Saga of Saigon’s Metro System
For nearly two decades, the blue-and-white barricades of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro became a part of the city’s skyline just as much as the Bitexco Tower. To th
My Son Sanctuary: The Sacred Cham Valley of Central Vietnam
Hidden in a green valley surrounded by low mountains in Quang Nam Province, Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary is one of Vietnam’s most important historical and archaeological si
6 Worst Things About Vietnam: Real Downsides of Living and Travelling Here
Vietnam is an incredible place to live and travel, so much so that I’ve chosen to call it home and have never once regretted that decision. That said, no countr
Gia Dinh Park: Wide Open Space Near the Airport
Gia Dinh Park feels different the moment you arrive. The space here is wide, open, and airy, which is something of a rarity in Saigon. Instead of winding paths
Flyover Starry Sky: A Journey Through Saigon’s Most Surreal Light Museum
Standing tall in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the Bitexco Financial Tower has long been a symbol of Vietnam’s rapid modernisation. While its lotus-bulb silhou
Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn)
The Marble Mountains, known in Vietnamese as Ngũ Hành Sơn, are one of those rare tourist stops that actually live up to the postcards. Located about 20km north
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street – A Literary Street in the Heart of District 1
Just steps away from Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, there’s a pedestrian street where the usual soundtrack of Saigon fades into something not
Buu Long Pagoda Thu Duc – Saigon’s Golden Thai-Style Temple
Is Buu Long Pagoda the most visually striking temple in Ho Chi Minh City? If you’ve only seen pagodas in District 1 or Chinatown, the answer might surprise you.
Mongo Land DaLat Vietnam
Nestled in the scenic highlands of Da Lat, Mongo Land Vietnam has quickly become one of the city’s most unusual and talked-about attractions. Known as the “Mini
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens: A Visit That Raises Questions
Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens (Thao Cam Vien) is one of the largest green spaces in District 1, and also one of the most difficult to describe honestly. On pa
Things I Loved About Phu Quoc: From Hon Thom to Hidden Southern Beaches
Phu Quoc Island is often described as Vietnam’s tropical escape, but what's surprising is how varied the experience can be. From taking a cable car above its be
The Vietnamese Dog Meat Trade
The Vietnamese landscape seems to be in constant flux, with the country currently in the midst of a profound cultural and legislative transformation. Central to
12 Best Things To Do In Baku Azerbaijan
Baku is a city that seems to be constantly trying to reconcile two distinct identities. On one side, you have the dust and stone of a Silk Road past; on the oth
Mien Thao Moc Cafe: Where Green Space Meets Café Culture in Saigon
If you’ve spent any time in Saigon, you know that the city’s coffee culture is divided into two worlds. On one side, you have the minimalist, air-conditioned "w
Auschwitz Concentration Camp: What to Expect, Why It Matters, and How to Visit Respectfully
Auschwitz is not a place people visit out of curiosity, yet it remains one of the most important sites in Europe to understand. Located in southern Poland near
Sculpture Tunnel Dalat: Clay Stories in the Highlands
The Sculpture Tunnel in Dalat, also known as the Clay Tunnel, is one of the more unusual attractions in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Built almost entirely from
Visiting Uu Dam Temple in Thu Duc: A Quiet Spiritual Retreat
How often do you step out of a modern shopping mall and walk straight into a traditional Buddhist temple? That contrast is exactly what defines Ưu Đàm Buddhist
Bitexco Financial Tower
For a long time, the Bitexco Financial Tower was the undisputed face of modern Saigon. Even though it has since been surpassed in height by Landmark 81, Bitexco
Rome in a Day: What I Saw After Missing My Flight
Can Rome really be done in a day? I didn’t plan to find out, but after missing my flight and getting stranded in Italy’s capital, I had no choice but to make th