Cutbacks at Qantas

Qantas announced this weekend a series of measures meant to keep out of the red in the face of sky-rocketing global fuel costs. On the chopping block are 22 of its 228 plane strong fleet, as well as Jetstar’s pilot and cabin crew base in Adelaide. The route, however, will remain in service, [...]

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British lend insight to Saigon Subway

The British came to town last week to pinpoint possible areas for cooperation on Saigon’s main railways and the future metro system, the Word HCMC reported in their latest issue. Turns out the Brits are on a public transportation world tour of sorts, stopping by developing nations to lend their rail expertise. Add the British [...]

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Jetstar: Hue Routes Axed, Highlands and Dalat Delayed

Jetstar Pacific recently confirmed my suspicions: the delay on the Hanoi - Hue route missed its simultaneous launch with the Nha Trang and Danang routes due to rising global fuel costs. Now, the Ho Chi Minh City - Hue service has been axed, as well. Add to the list of bad news that the HCMC [...]

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Jetstar: Turbulence en route to Vietnam expansion?

Oz Traveller recently posted on Qantas Group’s reduced and cut Australia routes, as well as on the grounding of one of its recently acquired Airbus A320s. The first A320 is due to arrive in Vietnam in August and is slated to support additional service between Ho Chi Minh City - Dalat and Ho Chi Minh [...]

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Three New Vietnam Routes on Jetstar Pacific

Jetstar Pacific is scheduled to expand its domestic route map today to include three new direct routes connecting Hanoi to Danang, Hue and Nha Trang. However, as of this morning, jetstar.com’s booking engine yields no results for the Hanoi-Hue route. Meanwhile, wheels are up on the Danang and Nha Trang flights. A JetSaver Light [...]

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International Aid Fuels Saigon Subway

There’s been lots of nay-saying floating around since ground broke on the long-anticipated Ho Chi Minh City metro system this past February. But cynics can’t deny the initial foreign investment is there. Three lines have international support, and two Japanese companies and one French firm are vying for rights to outfit the system with the [...]

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Hanoi Takes on Traffic Congestion

Viet Nam News recently reported on Hanoi’s experimentation with traffic congestion problems. With more cars than ever on the road, Vietnam’s streets, accustomed to more fluid motorbike traffic, are in a state of shock. Hanoi’s answer? Designate lanes for car and motorbike use.
Cars that trespass across lanes will pay a VND 400,000 ($25) fine, while [...]

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Saigon Moto Traffic: Dodging Noodle-Bearing Ghosts and Olive-Drab Whales

Sarah balls my shirt in her fist. Over the groan of the motorbike, I hear her suck in air, the sound of her heart leaping into her throat. I keep the motorbike aimed forward, my foot teasing the brake. Having played passenger for the first two days after we purchased the bike, I know how [...]

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On the Edge along Hong Kong’s Peak

My girlfriend Sarah and I were not happy. We arrived at the Peak Tram boarding station to find the scenic track closed for maintenance. Adding insult to injury, an apologetic agent pointed us around the corner to the #15 bus. We had expected to make the 1200-foot ascent to the Peak, one of Hong Kong [...]

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