08/05/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | MAY 8, 2026

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Australia’s ‘most beautiful’ street fed up with viral fame

HANOI and Ho Chi Minh City have been named among the world’s top 100 most attractive cities for walking exploration in 2026, according to a ranking recently released by travel platform GuruWalk, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. The list also features Hoi An in Da Nang, further highlighting Vietnam’s growing appeal as a destination for immersive on-foot travel experiences. The rankings evaluate destinations based on walkability, density of attractions, accessibility and the overall experience for visitors who prefer to explore cities on foot. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were recognised for their distinctive urban character, closely clustered landmarks and vibrant street life. This year’s list continues to be dominated by well-known European cities, with Rome taking the top spot. The Italian capital stands out for its rich concentration of heritage sites such as the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, all easily explored within a single walking route. It is followed by Madrid, Budapest and Prague, known for compact city centres and pedestrian friendly layouts. Beyond Europe, the list includes prominent cities from Asia and the Americas such as Tokyo, Kyoto and New York City. The presence of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City underscores the rising appeal of Southeast Asian urban destinations on the global tourism map. Experts noted Hanoi’s strength lies in its Old Quarter, with its dense network of narrow streets, cultural sites and traditional spaces – ideal for leisurely, exploratory walking. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City attracts visitors with its dynamic pace, blend of historic and modern architecture and rich street food culture. The inclusion of Vietnam’s two largest cities in the rankings not only reflects their urban tourism potential but also highlights a broader shift towards sustainable travel trends that prioritise slower, environmentally friendly and experience driven journeys. – Bernama-VNA Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City among top 100 walkable cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are recognised for their vibrant street life. – 123RFPIC

Tourists take photos on a street in Gerringong, about a two-hour drive south of Sydney. – AFPPIC

V IRAL posts of an Australian street dubbed the country’s “most beautiful” have enticed coachloads of visitors to a picturesque seaside town – and locals have had enough of it. Just a two-hour drive south of Sydney, Gerringong is much like many other photogenic hamlets along Australia’s east coast, with multi-million-dollar properties set against stunning views of the azure blue sea. But recent posts on Instagram, TikTok and as far afield as China’s RedNote showing the town’s Tasman Drive have left residents fuming that their little slice of paradise has turned into an internet sensation. “It’s getting beyond a joke for a small country town. You’ve got people who are trying to do three-point turns, they’re standing in the middle of the road taking photographs, they’re leaving their rubbish. Everyone’s fed up,” Peter Hainsworth, 81, told AFP as tourists frolicked on the rolling hills nearby. Nearby, tourists posed in the middle of the road for selfies to the fury of a sweary local resident on a bicycle who declined to speak when approached. Overtourism concerns have sparked backlash in many hotspots worldwide, from European cities Barcelona and Venice to Japan – where officials erected a barrier to block a popular view of Mount Fuji in 2024 because of the disruptive behaviour of unruly tourists. Some Gerringong residents have resorted to extreme measures, turning on garden sprinklers to prevent tourists from taking pictures on their lawns. Others are setting up a committee to demand the road be declared a one-way street – a bid to halt the seemingly endless stream of cars slowing to a halt as they film the viral view. One neighbour reportedly sold their house to escape the furore. “It’s nice to see people enjoying it, but really, it’s just getting a bit too much. It’s just so weird to see so many people coming all this way for the view,” resident Linda Bruce, 76, said on a hill next to the viral view. Thanks to the massive reach of the posts, o Residents vent anger at endless stream of tourists

Grab is in the midst of onboarding licensed cross-border taxis from GrabCab and other taxi operators. Grab has streamlined the backend process for Singapore and Malaysia taxi drivers to more easily manage cross-currency earnings and different regulatory requirements. Singapore licensed cross-border taxis can pick passengers from any location in Singapore and drop them off in any location within the operating areas of Malaysia. However, on return trips, pick-ups are limited to Advance Booking from fixed points – namely, Toppen Shopping Centre, Midvalley Southkey Mall, Angsana Mall and Larkin Sentral Terminal. Similarly, Malaysia’s licensed cross-border taxis can pick passengers from any location within the operating areas in Malaysia and drop them off in any location in Singapore. However, on return trips, pick-ups are limited to Advance Booking from fixed points near Vivocity, near Century Square Shopping Mall, Joo Koon MRT station and Ban San Street Terminal. Colombia, provoked a string of expletives from one local when he took selfies on the roadside. “They should be really happy, because are they getting more people to know this beautiful place.” ‘Why are they doing this?’ Chief among the locals’ complaints is that the tourists are not spending money in the area – they simply show up, snap their selfies and leave. Deputy mayor and local business owner Melissa Matters said the financial impact was mixed. “Some businesses are experiencing not a lot of uptake”, but others “are doing quite well out of it”, she said. And while many residents had moved down from the big city seeking a quiet life, Matters said Gerringong was hardly a stranger to outsiders. “We’ve always been about tourism here.” Back on Tasman Drive, tourists excitedly posed for pictures next to a speed bump sign as a grumbling resident glared at them. “You sort of wonder, why are they doing this? Is it because they really, really love the area and think it’s so wonderful to see the view, or are they just ticking off another box on their to-do list?” Bruce said.

which have racked up millions of views, tourists have come from across Asia – an “unusual” sight in Gerringong, Bruce said. “I mean, it’s an amazing country and it’s there to share... it’s just a bit much for the locals.” ‘Totally stunned’ Some of the tourists have had less far to travel. Sagar Munjal, a 28-year-old taxi driver living in Parramatta, near Sydney, drove down with friends to see the view after spotting it on Instagram. “My eyes were totally stunned. You can enjoy the coastal drive with the beach plus beautiful mountains. I was amazed to see that,” he said. Andy Liao, a property developer originally from Chengdu, China who now lives in Sydney, said he and his family had driven down after seeing the street on RedNote. “The landscape is so beautiful. That’s why I drove two hours,” he said. But Liao said he understood why locals might be annoyed with the attention. “If I’m living here, I don’t want too many people coming to my backyard.” Others were less sympathetic to the residents’ plight. Kevin Medina, a 22-year-old cook from

Grab between Malaysia, Singapore

GRAB has introduced a new taxi booking service for cross-border journeys between anywhere in Singapore and anywhere within the following areas in Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai. Named Cross-Border JB-SG (Beta), the pilot service seeks to enhance the travel experience across one of the world’s busiest land border crossings. Passengers from both cities will be able to make Advance Booking of door-to-door rides through the Grab app, within a 12-hour to seven-day timeframe. This pilot is being rolled out gradually. Grab will expand and refine the service as more licensed cross-border taxis are onboarded and with feedback from the drivers and passengers in the coming months. Key features of the Grab’s in-app cross-border taxi booking service pilot include door-to-door service, advance booking, predictable fixed upfront fares, choice of vehicles, safety features always-on and comprehensive insurance.

Grab app screenshots, featuring booking flow, transit updates and integrated safety features.