A different life in George Town

George Town, the capital of Penang (Malaysia), is considered a living museum representing the British Empire era from the late 18th century, with its unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture and culture.

Peaceful in the old town

In the early morning, the old town brightens up with rows of beautiful, quaint shops. However, the shops open quite late, from 10 am and close early at 7-8 pm. The largest market in George Town is only open from 7 am to 12 noon. Very few restaurants or cafes stay open late. There is no haggling or aggressive sales tactics anywhere.

The people are inherently gentle and content with small, simple joys, not chasing after material desires. Even with the development of tourism and the influx of visitors, nothing can shake their peaceful daily lives. If a tourist intentionally raises their camera to photograph someone sitting on a porch, they will receive a gentle smile in return. Because of this, George Town is very spacious and peaceful. Coming here, you'll naturally abandon your hectic lifestyle, forget your daily worries and anxieties, and learn to live slowly and peacefully. The most charming way to enjoy the town is to leisurely stroll along its time-worn streets.

Here you'll find a house over 100 years old that you absolutely must visit: the Pinang Peranakan Villa. The first owner of this house was Mr. Chung Keng Quee, from Hokkien. He had a first wife in China. When he came to Penang, he took a second wife, also from Penang, forming the "peranakan" community (meaning "mixed race").

According to the document, "the Peranakan people are also known as the Baba people - referring to men, and the Nyonya people - referring to women. The Peranakan people integrated very quickly into the local community, were skilled in trade, became a wealthy class, and built streets and houses with a unique architectural style that was a blend of Chinese immigrant culture, along with indigenous and European influences from the colonial era, resulting in a special, diverse yet unified architectural form."

Mr. Chung built this house for his second wife and children to live in. Through generations, the villa has retained its beauty, blending the splendor and sophistication of Chinese architecture with the elegant and refined details of British design, reflecting the prosperous life of the Peranakan people.

Museums and time travel

Has anyone ever told you that George Town is a museum paradise?

Holding a cute little map in my hand, I strolled around George Town, visiting incredibly interesting museums such as the Glass Museum, the Camera Museum, the 3D Art Museum, the Upside Down Museum… Among them, the Wonderfood Museum was definitely my favorite, with hundreds of realistic-looking food replicas that help visitors better understand Malaysian cuisine.

The museum is divided into three main areas: Info Zone, which provides information about the daily meals of the local people, table setting, and how to combine dishes in a meal; Wow Zone, featuring signature dishes such as cendol (a type of sweet soup), laksa (a famous noodle dish with a broth made from chicken, shrimp, and fish), curry mee (curry noodles), rojak (fruit salad), char kuey teow (stir-fried rice noodles), etc., made in giant sizes that will leave you amazed; and Educational Zone, which helps people raise awareness that some of their favorite foods have a negative impact on the environment.

But that's not all! The Street Art area is truly a magnet for art lovers, with vibrant murals inspired by the daily lives of the locals. Wandering through the narrow alleys, you'll find yourself smiling as you spot a cheerful painting on a crumbling, old brick wall.

My impression of George Town also includes cool souvenir shops "made in Malaysia," shops selling handicrafts, designer clothing by local designers, decor items, old books and magazines, sophisticated cafes, and elegant restaurants... I felt like I was transported back in time when I stepped into a space displaying antiques collected by the owner from all over the world: clocks, dolls, sewing machines, radios, teapots, wine bottles, etc., or when I wandered into the Edelweiss Cafe inside an old British colonial house, possessing the beauty of a "mixed-race child" with an eye-catching, appealing exterior and a calm, profound soul.

While in other tourist centers, shops and restaurants compete to stand out, here, everything, from the exterior to the interior, harmonizes perfectly, as if the entire neighborhood were meticulously arranged by a skillful hand and a refined mind. Each door, each tile, each painting… are like “characters” in a movie, together telling visitors a captivating story about a journey through time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visa:Malaysia grants visa-free entry to Vietnamese citizens, so you do not need to apply for a visa.

Trip:Penang Island, a Malaysian territory, is located in the Strait of Malacca. There are direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to Penang, taking only about 2-3 hours – perfect for a short getaway.

Time:For the most exciting trip, March with the Penang World Music Festival, May with the Flower Festival, June with the month-long George Town Festival, and December with the Jazz Festival are the best times to visit Penang. Transportation options include rickshaws, buses, and Uber. Rickshaws are more expensive than Uber but offer a unique street experience. Uber is the cheapest, fastest, and most convenient option for getting from one end of the old town to the other, or from the old town to the beach and other areas. Additionally, Penang offers Link Bike – bicycle rentals by the hour/day/week/month/year, managed via a mobile app.

Accommodation: In the heart of George Town, there are many charming hotels and homestays; you should stay here for easy access to explore Art Street on foot.

Cuisine:Just stepping out onto the street, you'll find a culinary paradise with numerous outdoor dining areas, street food stalls, and restaurants along the beach. Popular dishes here include laksa, cendo, char kway teow, curry mee, kokkien mee noodles, and more.

Weather: Penang has a hot and humid climate year-round. The rainy season in Penang typically lasts from September to November. The dry season runs from December to March. The period from May to November is when the weather in Penang is quite humid.

Skin:Malaysia is a Muslim country, so you shouldn't swim naked on the beach.

Money:The Ringgit is the official currency of Malaysia, with 1 ringgit being equivalent to approximately 5,500 Vietnamese dong.