Makassar Trip Report: Makassar is the largest city in Eastern Indonesia. It’s building a Dubai-inspired new urban area on artificial islands, but it should look to Singapore’s example for fixing the city sidewalks first. Makassar is the largest city in the Eastern Region of Indonesia. It has a population of about 1.5 million people, and […]
2024 trip reports
Kampot and Kep (Cambodia) construction and tourism development
Trip report from my visit in December 2024, including the two-tower apartment project in Kampot Town, the Tiktokification of tourism landmarks, and land reclamation in Kep. Kampot and Kep are the southernmost provinces in Cambodia. Kampot Province includes the charming colonial-era riverside city of Kampot, and Kep is reawakening as a coastal tourism destination. Kampot […]
Sihanoukville report: abandoned towers and seaside redevelopment
An update on one of the biggest mixed-use developments under construction in Cambodia, prominent abandoned projects, and the redevelopment of Ochheuteal and Otres Beach. Sihanoukville is the largest coastal city in Cambodia and home to its main port. It has great beaches and a train to Phnom Penh. Despite this beautiful natural setting, the city […]
Phnom Penh construction report (2024 edition)
Heritage buildings update, the temple-shaped National Bank building, the fake Paris on Diamond Island, bad urban planning on the Tonle Sap riverfront, a new urban area rises on a disappeared lake, the bird nest towers, and booming BKK1. Phnom Penh construction and infrastructure report (December 2024).
Poipet trip report: Construction and urban development in Cambodia’s wild-west casino city
Poipet has plans to transform this border town associated with casinos and scam compounds into an enthralling civilized city to attract national and international tourists. I spent a night in Poipet to see what it was like. Border cities in Southeast Asia have a reputation for being dodgy, and Poipet in Cambodia is no exception. […]
Ho Chi Minh City construction report
The HCMC Metro and Transport Oriented Development, the many boxy blue towers, Saigon is getting a Nobu, the Thu Thiem New Urban Area is showing signs of life, and bridges update. This is the annual Ho Chi Minh City construction report, covering updates on major construction and transport projects over the last year (2024). The […]
Hue construction and transport report
Wandering with cows in abandoned new urban areas, a new megamall, how the high-speed rail will make Hue and Danang commuter cities, and the case of the proposed tramway. The historic city of Hue is renowned for its ancient citadel and other historic relics from its time as Vietnam’s imperial capital. Beyond the historic buildings, […]
Hoi An/Quang Nam province construction report (2024)
Visiting the new urban areas, abandoned resorts, ghost towns, and haunted castles of the Hoi An-Danang resort coast. Quang Nam province is in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam, south of Danang. Quang Nam is home to Hoi An, and there is a 30km stretch of beach between Hoi An and Danang that is […]
Hanoi Metro Report (2024): Review of Line 3 and Line 2A
A review of the two metro lines of Hanoi, including the separate ticketing systems, the lack of planning for future interchanges, and an overview of what lines are planned next for construction. Line 3 of the Hanoi Metro partially opened in 2024, making it the second metro line in Hanoi (along with Line 2A). The […]
Dong Hoi construction update – 2024 edition
Dong Hoi is the capital of Quang Binh Province in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam. The city aspires to be a major tourism destination, but many high-profile construction projects remain unfinished. This construction report is from my visit in August 2024. I previously visited Dong Hoi in August 2019, so it was good […]
