From the remarkable beauty of Sam Mountain and Halong Bay to the numerous sacred temples and pagodas, Vietnam has a lot to offer. It is a country that features everything from exotic culinary delights to breathtaking scenery. Seemingly endless, tranquil rice paddies stand in stark contrast to bustling cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi which embrace all the technology and conveniences that the modern world has to offer. The well-preserved colonial buildings of Hoi An play host to a slew of charming boutiques and tempting cafes while, further north, the local hill-tribe people of Sapa sell a wide variety of exquisite crafts and handmade trinkets. Beyond the urban areas, this diverse country is characterised by vast, verdant jungles and lush mountainous regions as well as an enticing coastline peppered with golden sand, palm-lined beaches.
With its wide boulevards, ancient pagodas and tree-lined lakes, Vietnam’s capital is also the country’s most atmospheric and beguiling city. There is an energy and charm here arising from the genteel mix of French colonialism and Asian grace and tradition. Enjoy a showcase of synchronised t’ai chi at Hoan Kiem Lake; stroll around the lively Old Quarter with its narrow streets with traders and hoards of scooters weaving in and out, and don’t miss the chance to see a water puppetry show at the Thang Long Puppet Theatre. Other places to visit include the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Perfume Pagoda temple complex and the Hanoi Opera House in the heart of the French Quarter.
A small mountain village found in northern Vietnam, Ta Van is a scarcely populated and highly-recommended excursion from the popular town of Sapa, located just 11 kilometres away. A remote place, there are only two means of entering Ta Van: either by motorbike (which can be rented in Sapa) or else via a well-established hiking trail that leads through thick forests and terraced rice fields to beautifully positioned Ta Van. While in the village, enjoy the experience of Dao and Hmong customs and traditions, as well as long walking trails in the surroundings – which are best visited in late spring and summer (between May and September), when the rice fields are lush.
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Lying 100 km south of Hanoi in the Red River Delta, Ninh Binh is the capital city of Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province. With its easy transportation links to destinations both north and south, this laidback town makes an ideal base for exploring the remarkably scenic surrounding countryside. The highlight of the area is undoubtedly the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring lush green paddy fields, some quintessentially Vietnamese limestone scenery, and a number of impressive caves. Other popular nearby sights include the nation’s biggest pagoda and the extraordinary views from the top of Hang Mua Peak.
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Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc, is located in the Kiên Giang Province. Touching down in this picture-postcard setting is the start of something special: the paradise presents visitors with miles of palm-lined white beaches and turquoise bays. There are reefs to dive, fresh seafood to sample, coves to kayak, and plenty of jungle-clad backroads to bike along. The majority of the island is a national park, offering numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing and hiking. The island is also well known for its production of fish sauce, black pepper, the local Phu Quoc hunting dogs, characterised by their ridged backs, curly tails and blue tongues.
