With its wide boulevards, ancient pagodas and tree-lined lakes, Vietnam’s capital is also the country’s most atmospheric and beguiling city.
Centred round attractive Hoan Kiem Lake, the capital of Vietnam is a contrast to its worldlier southern counterpart. There is a certain charm here arising from the genteel mix of French colonialism and Asian grace and tradition.
Where Saigon is all hustle and bustle, Hanoi is more laid back, whilst Saigon is very western looking, Hanoi is more conservative and traditional.
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.
Hanoi's Old Quarter is compelling with streets full of traditional vendors and artisans, and the prevailing French influence lends Hanoi a unique atmosphere.
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.
An overnight trip to stunning Halong Bay is also a must for anyone visiting Hanoi.
Halong Bay is a stunning limestone sea-scape about 3 hours’ drive from Hanoi and is a highlight for many on a tour of Vietnam.
A Halong Bay Cruise is a great experience and whatever the weather, the beauty of the bay is outstanding and cruising on a traditional junk is a very relaxing experience.
Cruising Halong Bay is best done as an overnight trip, in order to really experience the beauty of Halong Bay. We only recommend the best vessels for our cruises on Halong Bay.
Many travellers' favourite town in Vietnam, Hoi An is a historic and enchanting town, just ten minutes from a quiet stretch of beach.
This once-bustling port town has a colourful blend of French, Chinese and Japanese-influenced architecture, canals, bridges and temples, and the lack of noisy traffic (no cars are allowed on the main streets) means you can take it all in in relative peace and quiet.
Its waterfront area is alive with boutique hotels, eateries and tailor shops, and art and craft shops.
Hoi An really offers the best of both worlds, with an old-town atmosphere, with winding streets, old temples and ancient meeting halls so close to the beach.
If you have time, try to fit in a visit to the ruins of My Son Sanctuary, an ancient Hindu tower temple complex close to Hoi An.
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.
The Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam is comprised of a 60,000km long web of interconnected waterways which spans across three Vietnamese provinces. This lush, tropical delta is dominated by Southeast Asia’s mightiest river, the Mekong.
The Mekong splits in Cambodia into two main rivers, the Bassac and the First River, then in Vietnam into a more complex system, creating a maze of small canals, rivers and arroyos.
Exploring these rivers and their numerous tributaries by boat is an ideal way explore the Mekong Delta at a leisurely pace and provides an opportunity to experience the truly unique Mekong River lifestyle.
The area is brimming with small craft villages, Khmer Pagodas, magnificent mangroves, picturesque orchards and some remarkable floating markets.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island is becoming increasingly popular for a beach holiday in Vietnam, with several daily flights from Saigon.
Phu Quoc offers a laid-back island-style Vietnamese beach holiday and a great island on which to round off a tour of Vietnam.
Phu Quoc's gleaming white sand beaches have earned it the nickname "Pearl Island", but the island's environmental conservation efforts and cultural heritage deserve as much attention as its picturesque sand and surf.
Fishing and agriculture remain primary industries, and more than half the laid-back island has been protected by a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2006.
Phu Quoc's 150-kilometer coastline, with gentle waves and transparent turquoise water, makes it Vietnam's most popular destination for water sports. If you'd prefer to lounge, head to Long Beach, which spans 20 kilometers of unobstructed sunsets.
Further north, dirt roads and secluded resorts keep tree-lined beaches like Ganh Dau and Bai Thom hidden from crowds.
Home to fish sauce, pepper, and pearls, Phu Quoc offers both luxury and local life, with clean water by day and clear skies at night.
Phu Quoc is warm and comfortable year-round, with an average temperature hovering around 27°C. It's coolest in the dry season between October and March, and hottest in April and May, when the rain begins to take hold. By July, the rainy season is in full swing, bringing cooler temperatures until October.
