The perfect complement to the more serene Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has a pulsating energy that is impossible to resist.
Saigon (also known as Ho Chi Minh City) is the economic engine of Vietnam, a thriving, sprawling metropolis of 13 million people with about 7 million scooters on the streets.
Attractions include the bustling Ben Thanh Market, where vendors sell everything from food, sweets and spices to tobacco, souvenirs and clothing - including custom-made suits, and Nha Hang Ngon, where you can taste traditional street food served up from food stalls in a leafy garden.
Reminders of the war-time period are there in Saigon's Reunification Palace, the War Crimes Museum and the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels, whilst Saigon itself is dotted with French colonial buildings.
Other notable sites and experiences include the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Jade Emperor Pagoda for its statues and woodcarvings and the Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda, said to be the only pure Taoist temple in Vietnam.
There are plenty of sights in Saigon and a city stay in Saigon is essential to really experience Vietnam properly.
Hotel accommodation in Saigon is very good value and there is just a handful of colonial style, boutique hotels in Saigon.
Vietnam’s coastal province of Ben Tre lies in the Mekong Delta in the southern part of the country and is known for its charming waterfront, its leisurely pace and its interesting historical attractions.
Visit the colonial Ben Tre Museum in the capital to see artefacts and photos about Vietnam's revolutionary history, or wander through the beautiful Buddhist statues of the Vien Minh Pagoda. Cycle along the pretty riverside promenade, or take a boat tour around Turtle Islet.
The island is famous for its delicious, sweet coconut candy, and visitors can see how it is made and sample various flavours. Make sure to try the locally grown fresh fruit and hear the traditional songs of the area.
Animal lovers and twitchers will delight in the chance to visit the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary, home to roughly 84 species of birds.
On the surface of it, the An Giang Province's Chau Doc may be a convenient one-night stopover en route to Cambodia, but if you find yourself in this charming town, you will do well to linger for a while.
It is colourful, unspoilt, friendly, and rich in cultural diversity – clearly apparent in the numerous mosques, temples, churches and pilgrimage sites of the area.
An excursion up Sam Mountain to view the shrines and places of worship, including the treasured Ba Chua Xa temple, should be on your to-do list, along with a visit to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, which boasts a 23 metre-high observation tower.
Afterwards, settle back and enjoy dinner at one of the superb eateries in town.
Located at the meeting of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Cambodia’s energetic capital, Phnom Penh, is known for its rich history, friendly locals and world-class food scene.
The primary drawcard of the city its visible heritage - the National Museum of Cambodia features a millennium’s worth and more of an incredible Khmer design.
The monumental Royal Palace, the official residence of King Sihamoni, houses the famous Throne Hall, used for coronations and ceremonies.
Within the Royal Palace is the spectacular Silver Pagoda, named for its floor covered with five tons of gleaming silver.
The Tonle Sap riverfront area provides a charming place to enjoy a meal and some fine French wine (an enduring colonial legacy), while the local nightclubs provide a fun time out on the town, complete with karaoke singers and stage dancers.
This picturesque city has a long and noble history - it served as Cambodia’s capital and royal residence for more than 200 years.
Set below the twin peaks of Phnom Oudong, it is today considered an important sacred city, with many temples and shrines dotted across its lush canvas, including a series of ancient pagodas atop the mountain’s ridges.
These holy vantage points offer panoramic views over Oudong and the river beyond - most spectacular in the light of the setting sun.
Named for the Cham Muslim residents who immigrated here centuries ago, Kampong Cham is one of eastern Cambodia’s largest urban centres and a key transit point for onward travel connections.
It is nevertheless a laid-back city with a picturesque riverside setting and an evocative mish-mash of historical architecture – which includes traditional Chinese shophouses, elegantly weathered French colonial buildings and the so-called ‘New Khmer Architecture’ that was developed in Cambodia’s 1960s heyday.
Several ancient temples and shrines and are dotted across the town’s surrounds, adding to the town’s timeless, mystical allure.
Best known as the gateway to the magnificent ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is a pleasant town with lovely French colonial and Chinese architecture and a laid-back ambience.
The main attraction here is of course the Angkor complex. Covering an area larger than Paris, it encompasses scores of exquisite temple structures featuring intricately carved detail – dancing ladies and lotus flowers embellish the walls, five-headed naga (serpent deities) fan out from chunks of rock.
Abandoned for unknown reasons thousands of years ago, it was rediscovered in 1860 by a French explorer, Henri Mahout, and has been Cambodia’s crowning glory ever since.
Other attractions in and around Siem Reap include an array of arts and crafts shops, a cultural village that allows a glimpse into traditional local life, and a bird sanctuary on the outskirts of town.
