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.
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.
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.
Dotting the South China Sea, Lan Ha Bay is set just off the eastern coast of northern Vietnam. It is the quieter, lesser-known alternative to Halong Bay, but its no less beautiful. It boasts breathtakingly beautiful landscapes complete with 400 limestone cliffs scattered throughout the emerald green waters. Visitors can look forward to spending a magical few days sailing through the mysterious mountains for a once in a lifetime cruise. Don’t miss the opportunity to swim, kayak and enjoy caving, rock climbing, trekking, and cycling.
As previously described
The isolated rural district of Mai Chau lies tucked away in an idyllic valley in northern Vietnam. The area is known for its excellent hiking and biking opportunities as well as its picturesque pastoral landscape and laidback village lifestyle. The district’s capital city, also known as Mai Chau, is commonly used as a springboard for exploring the area’s many traditional villages which are famous for their stilt houses featuring palm leaf roofs, bamboo-slat floors, and large, patterned windows. For a wonderfully authentic Vietnamese experience, visitors can enjoy an overnight homestay in one of these stilted houses where they can interact with the locals and learn about their traditions and customs.
A charming town with elegant historical architecture and a distinctly French flavour, Luang Prabang in northern Laos is filled with interesting museums, bustling markets and traditional shops. 33 Buddhist temples dot the city.; the Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and Wat Xieng Thong temple give travellers some background on and history of the Laotian people. Beyond the city, breathtaking nature and ancient sites await. Those who visit the Pak Ou Caves can see hundreds of Buddha statues accumulated there through the ages. The 180-foot Kuang Si Waterfalls, an hour’s drive out of the city, is one of the region’s natural highlights, with its layer upon cascading layer of turquoise pools and torrents.
Once a stronghold of power in the Mekong River basin, Champasak is now a sleepy province that encompasses the beguiling Si Phan Don (4 000 islands) archipelago on the Mekong River, as well as several key conservation and biodiversity areas. Champasak city itself is a small, laid-back town dotted with French colonial architecture and glittering Buddhist temples. It provides access to the evocative archaeological site of Wat Phu - a crumbling but still majestic Khmer temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to at least the mid-5th century. A stone stairway dotted with fragrant Frangipani trees leads to the highest point of the wat, and the climb is well worth it for the incredible views over this ancient architectural wonder. An adventure seeker and nature lovers playground, Champasak Province boasts 178 named mountains that are waiting to be explored.
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.
