The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Travelling life
Luke Nguyen Celebrity chef
How often do you travel?
I am on a plane at least twice a month. I am based in Sydney, but often go to Saigon and Hong Kong, where I have restaurants. I’ve filmed television series in France and the UK and tend to fit in holiday time at the end of work trips if I can. There are also vacations.
Favourite part of Australia?
Byron Bay in New South Wales. It has beautiful beaches, lovely countryside and rainforest not far away. The people are friendly and the food is very good.
Favourite cities in Vietnam?
Saigon (Hoi Chi Minh City) is spectacular. Hoi An is an ancient fishing town which is also a heritage listed area. It is magical, charming and has exquisite food.
Favourite regional cuisines in the UK?
I love the Sunday roast – it is popular here in Australia too. I remember eating haggis in Scotland and loving it. Jellied eels and Cornish pasties also.
Food destination you want to explore?
India.
What do you need for a perfect holiday?
I need great food and to be surrounded by nature. I also like to hike or trek. I love tennis so enjoy being in England for Wimbledon or Paris for the French Open.
Earliest memory of travelling abroad?
When I was 19, I left Australia for the first time and headed to Central America for a backpacking trip. I travelled in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. I knew I wanted to open a restaurant – it was a chance to explore cuisines.
Most adventurous travel experience?
I trekked Machu Picchu, which was fantastic, and I have bungee jumped in New Zealand. I also jumped off a bridge in Wanaka into a very cold river and trekked up a volcano in Vanuatu.
Most remote place?
Salar de Uyuni, the salt flats of Bolivia. I stayed in a hotel made from salt called Palacio De Sal.
And relaxing?
Con Dao, which is a lovely island in southern Vietnam. We stayed in wooden huts right on the beach and kayaked and snorkelled. There was a lot of fresh seafood and we got a boat to another island close by to see turtles laying their eggs.
Best holiday ever?
Fukuoka in Japan. People go there to try the authentic hot springs. We hired bicycles and ate at a yatai, an open-air food stand on Nakasu island.
Favourite holiday destination?
Tokyo. I go there every year. I love its food and nightlife.
Worst travel experience?
Once when I was in Bangkok, a monk at a temple recommended that I invest money in what I thought was a governmentsponsored social enterprise scheme. I donated hundreds of dollars but it was a scam.
Favourite airline?
Etihad. They are a smaller airline not striving to be the biggest but the best. They have an excellent wine list and a fantastic menu.
Best piece of travel advice?
Whenever I go to a new country, I always try to learn basic words and phrases, like “thank you”, “please”, “delicious” and “I am really hungry”, as it helps. I travel
Where next?
After an APT event in London [Nguyen is APT’s Asia Ambassador], I go to Paris. Then I plan to go to Ibiza and on to the Amalfi Coast before another trip in Vietnam with APT.
Where would you like to visit?
Bhutan. I have read that the inhabitants are the happiest people in the world. I want to discover their secrets. Luke Nguyen is tour operator APT’s Asia Ambassador, shaping the culinary experiences on river cruises in Vietnam and Burma, and hosting his own tour on the Mekong. See aptouring. co.uk/lukenguyen or call 0800 046 3002.