Happy Year of the Cat from Ho Chi Minh City! Being in a country that celebrates a lunar new year is like getting a second chance at New Year's resolutions, in case your first lot didn’t get off to a good start.

Most of the city has been shut this week as it is the tradition in Vietnam to take a week off over Tet. Luckily there are enough shops open to keep me fed and caffeinated. I avoid travel during this week, especially on the day when everyone returns. I resume my travels next week.

Travel reads

• Why is Java so weird?! By

“Java has a larger population than Russia.” It still blows my mind that over 150 million people live on the island of Java.

New underwater bike parking at Amsterdam Central Station

I’m in awe of the cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands. Here are more photos.

• The glow of Seoul’s hidden hot spots

“Not far from the glare of the city center, the South Korean capital offers a wealth of cozy, cool hangouts, if you don’t mind ducking down alleys and opening a well-concealed door or two.”

The Hamilton Road: A highway to a Kurdish paradise

We can’t pronounce his name, but he was basically Austria’s Gaudí

The hotel where you can sleep in two countries at the same time

Louvre decides to limit daily entries to give visitors a better experience

The Nomadic Notes Travel Newsletter is a weekly newsletter of the best travel reads and interesting travel news from around the web, and random ramblings by the editor.

- James Clark

Nomadic Notes Travel Newsletter

Second chance New Year's resolutions