Samantha  Coomber

Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Member Since: 8 January 2001

Professional Associations

 Travelwriters.com

Introduction

Samantha Coomber is an English freelance travel writer and lifestyle writer/ author, originally from London, England, and now based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She worked for 14 years in the UK travel Industry, with positions ranging from holiday representative for UK tour operators in Europe, to sales and marketing in London. She has travelled extensively, especially across Asia and Europe. Since leaving England ten years ago to be based initially in Sydney, Australia, writing credits include updating Fodor's Australia travel guidebook, commissioned work with two US websites, plus many articles in international publications, including National Geographic Traveler, DestinAsian, Spa Asia, Asia Pacific Tropical Homes and Asia Spa magazines, plus Air Canada and Tiger Airways in-flight magazines and The Australian newspaper.

Samantha is a leading authority in her field on Vietnam, where she has spent more than seven years. She has travelled extensively and solo for many months in Vietnam; off the beaten track and where few foreigners venture. She researched, updated and co-wrote three Rough Guides Vietnam guidebooks, again travelling extensively throughout Vietnam. Headhunted by the Vietnamese Government's Tourism Department (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism), Samantha helped set-up and launch a monthly magazine for ex-pats and tourists, based in Hanoi. For three and a half years, she was employed as chief writer, editorial consultant and co-editor on this magazine - the first and only foreigner employed by this government department - until going freelance.

Her first book, the first edition Insight Pocket City Guidebook to Hanoi and Northern Vietnam was published worldwide in 2005. Samantha recently wrote the entire first-ever directory for high-end spas, resorts and hotels in Vietnam - with over 100 entries - entitled "Rest and Relax Vietnam". She regularly updates and edits Luxe Cuty Guides Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, plus contributes to numerous international and local magazines and books.

Experience & Expertise

Have updated and researched the following four international travel guidebooks: Rough Guides Vietnam 2000 Rough Guides South-east Asia 2000 Rough Guides South-east Asia 2002 Fodors Australia 2002 Have written the entire first edition pocket city guidebook to Hanoi and Northern Vietnam (2005)for Insight / Berlitz guidebooks. I am currently working in Hanoi, Vietnam for the last three years as chief writer, editorial consultant, co-editor and sub-editor for English-language monthly magazine, Vietnam Discovery. I am the first and only foreigner working in the department and was headhunted to set up and launch this magazine - aimed at tourists and expats - which is run by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

Publishing Credentials

The Australian Newspaper(Australia); She And More Magazine (New Zealand); Vietnam Economic Times (Vietnam); Rough Guides Travel Guidebooks - Vietnam and South-east Asia Handbook (Worldwide); Australian Traveller Magazine (Australia); Travellers Tales from Heaven and Hell, non-fiction paperback (UK) www.ThingsAsian.Com (International website); www.vietnamadventures.com (International website); Vietnam Discovery Magazine (Vietnam); Fodors travel guidebook Australia (Worldwide); Holiday Asia Magazine (Asia-Pacific); Insight / Bertlitz pocket city guidebook Hanoi and Northern Vietnam (author)

Awards Received

Certificate of Merit (Highly Commended) in Third Annual Wellspring Women Writers' Competition 200O (Australia)- Article published in "From the Circle of Women" volume 3, 2001.

Clips & Samples (View All 14)

 Across the river and into hell, Vietnamadventures.com

 Paradise by the Dashboard Light, EnRoute Air Canada in-flight magazine

 22 articles on Vietnam/ Laos , www.Thingsasian.com

 Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa Review, i-escape.com

 Vietnam: Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon, Body and Soul Escapes (Footprints global guidebook)