The perfect complement to the more serene Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has a pulsating energy that is impossible to resist. 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. Other notable sites and experiences include the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Jade Emperor Pagoda for its statues and woodcarvings, the War Remnants Museum, and the Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda, said to be the only pure Taoist temple in Vietnam.
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.
Situated on the south bank of the Hau River in the Mekong Delta or ‘nine dragon river delta’, Can Tho offers an interesting blend of rural peace and a gently developing urban infrastructure. Catch some of the buzz at the lively waterfront, or stroll through the narrow backstreets to discover exquisite sculptured gardens and Buddhist pagodas. The city is known for its many canals weaving through and out of the city. On your boat ride, visit the floating market for an authentic experience, including a taste of exotic local fruit.
Vietnam’s coastal province of Ben Tre lies in the Mekong Delta, within the southern part of the country. Known for its charming waterfront, leisurely pace, and its interesting historical attractions, the town makes for an excellent holiday destination. 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 will be able to go 'candy tasting' (there are numerous flavours to try), and watch demonstrations. Make sure to sample the locally grown fresh fruit too. Animal lovers and twitchers will delight in the chance to visit the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary, home to roughly 84 species of birds.
Beguiling and beautiful, the former capital of Vietnam is still revered as a cultural and religious centre, and achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993. The city owes its charm in part to its setting on the Perfume River, but more significantly, to its many ancient temples and palaces – all vestiges of the last remaining Vietnamese dynasty, the Nguyen dynasty. The 19th century Hue Citadel, otherwise known as The Imperial City, should be high on your ‘to-see' list (you will need a day to get through the entire complex); while scattered along the riverbank are myriad more shrines and stupa, including the Thien Mu Pagoda with its octagonal tower. Bathe in a number of mineral hot springs, take a boat trip along the river, or take a ‘food tour’ of the superb eateries in town.
Hoi An, on Vietnam’s central coast, is enchanting. This once-bustling port town offers 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 discover the town in relative peace and quiet. Its waterfront area is alive with boutique hotels, eateries, tailor shops, and art and craft shops. If you have time, try to fit in a visit to the ruins of My Son Sanctuary, an ancient Hindu tower temple complex, get custom-made clothing created by a local tailor and pick up one of the many beautiful locally-made Vietnamese lanterns.