Diane Lee - An expat in the time of coronavirus

An Expat in the Time of Coronavirus


An expat tells why being a foreigner in a foreign land wasn’t a good thing in the midst of a global pandemic I’ve been based in Hanoi, Vietnam for almost four years, and as an expat, I’ve neither seen nor experienced anything like the xenophobia among the local Vietnamese — towards foreigners — that has occurred as a result of the coronavirus. For one…

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Expat depression and anxiety

On expat anxiety and depression


An honest conversation about expat anxiety Let’s have an honest conversation about expat anxiety and depression. When you live alone in a foreign country with no family support, things can get tough. I experienced no anxiety or depression before moving to Hanoi in 2016. Well, that’s not exactly true. I’ve had a few anxious moments — sometimes days and weeks…

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How to be a freelancer in Vietnam - Travelling Homebody

How to be a freelancer in Vietnam


Freelancing in Vietnam Thinking about jumping on the bandwagon and freelancing in Vietnam, or using the country as a base if you’re a digital nomad? In this post, I’ll tell you the one thing you absolutely, positively need to know if you want to be a freelancer in Vietnam — and it’s the one thing that no one tells you.…

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Travelling Homenbody - Three Stages of Being an Expat

3 stages of being an expat in Vietnam


I have a confession to make. At 53 years of age, I had never lived outside Australia. I’d raised my daughter as a single parent and, well, had neither the time, money or inclination to move overseas. Hell, I didn’t even start travelling internationally until I was 47. The first country I visited? Vietnam. When I was in my twenties,…

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Lunar New Year in Luang Prabang

Laid back Lunar New Year in Luang Prabang, Laos


Why did I visit Luang Prabang? Hanoi has not been kind to me for a while. For more than a week I’d been battling a slight cold (sneezing and ticklish throat) that morphed into a super shitty virus. No, it wasn’t the Novel Coronavirus, but someone did cough without covering their mouth as they walked past me at the gym…

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Travelling Homebody - getting around Hanoi like a local

Zoom zoom: how to get around Hanoi like a local


Getting around Hanoi like a local Despite first appearances (crazy traffic, anyone?) and more than 9 million people, Hanoi is a relatively easy city to get around. Transportation — especially modes that are used by locals — is cheap and convenient. Even taxis, which can be pricey in other countries, are surprisingly cost effective in Hanoi, and Vietnam in general.…

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Travelling Homebody Merchandise

Autumn: the best time to visit to Hanoi


One of the best times of the year to visit Hanoi, Vietnam is in autumn —  October through to December. The days are warm, with plenty of sunshine and the nights are cool. Rain is rare, and if it does come, it doesn’t hang around for long. Maybe an afternoon, or a few hours in the evening. Hanoi, unlike Saigon…

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Ladies of the Flower Market Hanoi Vietnam - Travelling Homebody

Ladies of the Flower Market, Hanoi


Back in September, I did a three-day film course. It was aimed at photographers, but I was the only photographer there. To cut a long story short it was terrible (so terrible that PayPal gave me a refund) but I did get out and about and shoot some film. The Quang Ba Flower Market is a hive of activity from…

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A Taste of Vietnam - Travelling Homebody

A taste of Vietnam like a local


Recently, I had the pleasure of being a guest on Better Homes & Garden’s Tastebud Traveller podcast, giving listeners a taste of Vietnam, like a local. I’ve lived in Hanoi since the end of 2016, and I’m always up for chatting about my experiences, insight and — of course — offer  up my insider tips. I share the spotlight with…

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Vegan Festival Hanoi - Travelling Homebody

First vegan food festival in Hanoi


Going vegan in Vietnam The Vietnamese are a nation of meat-eaters. Pork, beef, chicken, duck and other meats (you don’t want to know) feature in most dishes. Old wives tales and superstitions abound, where it is considered positively unhealthy if you don’t eat meat at every meal. True story! Despite this, younger Vietnamese — and some older folk — are…

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Travelling Homebody - Travel Tips - 101 Uses for a Sarong

101 uses for a sarong wrap


Why you should always travel with a sarong There are literally 101 uses for a sarong — other than as an item of clothing or a beach cover up. Watch the video for cool ways to wear one, and scroll down for tips from solo female travellers who always travel with a sarong. It is such a versatile item! When…

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Things to do when you travel solo

51 things to do when you travel solo


When I travel alone, people often ask me: don’t you get lonely? To which I reply: absolutely not! Far from it. There are always people to chat to, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes. Being an English speaker means that I get to speak to people from all over the world — travellers like myself — some…

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Solo travel is good for your health - Travelling Homebody

4 reasons why travelling solo is good for your health


Everyone knows that travel is good for your health — mental, spiritual, emotional. You name it. Your brain is at its most creative when you are processing new environments and situations, having to problem solve. In a country where you don’t speak or read the language? Awesome! Trying to navigate the transport systems? Fabulous! In a supermarket and you don’t…

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