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.
Located at the meeting of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Cambodia’s energetic capital, Phnom Penh, is known for its rich history, friendly locals and world-class food scene.
The primary drawcard of the city its visible heritage - the National Museum of Cambodia features a millennium’s worth and more of an incredible Khmer design.
The monumental Royal Palace, the official residence of King Sihamoni, houses the famous Throne Hall, used for coronations and ceremonies.
Within the Royal Palace is the spectacular Silver Pagoda, named for its floor covered with five tons of gleaming silver.
The Tonle Sap riverfront area provides a charming place to enjoy a meal and some fine French wine (an enduring colonial legacy), while the local nightclubs provide a fun time out on the town, complete with karaoke singers and stage dancers.
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.
Hanoi is Vietnam’s captivating capital – a city where layered history and everyday life sit side by side, and where a morning coffee can feel as memorable as a major sightseeing stop. Around the edges you’ll find wide French boulevards, grand villas and leafy lakes, while the heart of the city beats in the Old Quarter: a lively maze of narrow streets, shopfronts, scooters and street-food stalls that has been trading for centuries.
The Old Quarter is where Hanoi’s personality shines brightest. Each street still hints at its traditional trade, and exploring on foot is half the fun – drifting from tiny temples and tucked-away courtyards to bustling markets and hole-in-the-wall eateries. It’s a city made for wandering: pause for a bowl of pho, watch the world go by from a low plastic stool, or duck into a quiet café above the street noise.
For culture and history, Hanoi offers a rich mix. Elegant landmarks such as the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake sit alongside powerful museums and important national sites, while the city’s performing arts – especially traditional water puppetry – give a charming glimpse into Vietnam’s storytelling traditions. Even the simple ritual of crossing the road becomes part of the experience, and the city’s energy feels both chaotic and oddly graceful once you fall into step with it.
Hanoi also serves as a perfect launchpad for northern Vietnam. It’s an ideal starting point for journeys to limestone landscapes, rural villages and the bays of the north, while still rewarding travellers who choose to linger. With characterful boutique hotels, a thriving food scene, and a sense of atmosphere that’s hard to replicate elsewhere, Hanoi is the kind of city that stays with you long after you leave.
Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes, and for many travellers it becomes a quiet highlight rather than a headline attraction.
Set in the Gulf of Tonkin, the bay is scattered with thousands of limestone karsts and islets rising steeply from calm, jade-coloured water.
The scale is striking, but it is the stillness between the formations, especially early morning and late afternoon, that leaves the strongest impression.
The best way to experience Halong Bay is on an overnight cruise. Spending a night on the water allows you to move beyond the busiest areas and enjoy the bay at its most atmospheric, when day boats have gone and the light softens across the limestone peaks.
Days are gently paced and typically include cruising between karsts, short kayak excursions into hidden lagoons, and visits to caves or floating villages. Evenings are relaxed, with dinner on board, quiet decks, and the simple pleasure of drifting under the stars.
Cabins on modern cruise vessels are comfortable and well appointed, making the experience feel more like a floating hotel than a boat trip. Meals focus on fresh seafood and Vietnamese dishes, enjoyed against an ever-changing backdrop.
Halong Bay suits travellers who appreciate scenery, calm and unhurried time. It's not about rushing from sight to sight, but about slowing down and letting the landscape do the work.
Hue is Vietnam’s most elegant historical city – a place of imperial grandeur, poetic river scenery and a slower, more reflective pace than the big modern hubs. Set on the Perfume River, Hue was the capital of the Nguyen emperors, and that royal legacy still shapes the city’s atmosphere: shaded boulevards, mossy walls, pagodas and grand monuments that feel quietly dignified rather than showy.
The centrepiece is the Imperial Citadel, where ramparts, gates and palaces hint at the scale of Vietnam’s former court life. Exploring here is a journey through dynastic history, with tranquil courtyards and hidden corners that reward unhurried wandering. Beyond the Citadel, Hue’s tombs are among the most memorable cultural sights in the country – sprawling, beautifully sited complexes that blend architecture with gardens, lakes and pine-covered hills. Each tomb has its own character, and visiting them gives you a deeper feel for Hue’s artistry and symbolism.
Hue also shines for its spiritual sites and riverside calm. Pagodas sit in leafy settings, boats drift along the Perfume River, and the city’s café culture makes it easy to pause and soak it all in. Food lovers will also find plenty to enjoy: Hue cuisine is distinct, often more refined and balanced, with dishes shaped by imperial traditions and local flavours.
For travellers, Hue is a perfect contrast to the energy of Hanoi and Saigon and the lantern-lit charm of Hoi An. It adds depth to a classic Vietnam itinerary - a place to slow down, absorb Vietnam’s royal past, and enjoy scenery and culture that feels timeless.
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most charming towns – a place where lantern-lit streets, riverfront cafés and centuries of trading history combine to create an atmosphere that feels both romantic and wonderfully easy to enjoy. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town is a beautifully preserved patchwork of wooden shop-houses, Chinese assembly halls and faded French touches, all threaded together by narrow lanes that are best explored slowly, on foot or by bicycle.
By day, Hoi An is all about gentle discoveries. Browse small galleries and craft boutiques, wander through local markets, and pause for a coffee or a cold drink in a courtyard café shaded by bougainvillea. The town’s heritage is surprisingly layered, shaped by Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European influences, and that blend gives Hoi An a distinctive look and feel. As afternoon fades, the riverside becomes the perfect place for an early evening stroll, especially as the lights begin to appear.
Food is another major draw. Hoi An has its own local specialities and a strong cooking culture, making it a brilliant place for a market visit and cooking class, or simply a night of grazing from one great little restaurant to the next. Beyond the old streets, the surrounding countryside is made for easy, scenic cycling through rice fields and waterways, with quiet villages and family-run farms offering a more local perspective.
It’s also an ideal place to slow the pace of a Vietnam itinerary. Spend time at nearby beaches, enjoy a spa treatment, or use Hoi An as a base for day trips to historic Hue or the Marble Mountains and Da Nang coast. With characterful boutique stays, a warm, welcoming feel, and evenings that glow with lantern light, Hoi An is the sort of place travellers often wish they’d booked for longer.
