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 Yen, the easternmost province of Vietnam’s mainland, is an enchanting coastal province on the South Central Coast of Vietnam.
A hidden gem, this undiscovered part of Vietnam entices travellers with its lively cities, magical sunsets, friendly locals, mouth-watering seafood, and unpopulated, honey-coloured beaches.
The beautiful Phu Yen is home to a diverse range of natural wonders, which include: Ganh Da Dia Volcanic Rock Formation, a geological wonder of bountiful rock formations, Nhan Tower, an impressive 12th-century tower perched atop a hill in Tuy Hoa city,
Mang Lang Church, one of the oldest and arguably most picturesque churches in Vietnam, and Xuan Dai Bay, a harmonious spot where mountains, islets and water all meet.
From hiking and cycling to boat cruises and fishing - the scenic outdoor adventures of Phu Yen are endless.
