From the remarkable beauty of Sam Mountain and Halong Bay to the numerous sacred temples and pagodas, Vietnam has a lot to offer. It is a country that features everything from exotic culinary delights to breathtaking scenery. Seemingly endless, tranquil rice paddies stand in stark contrast to bustling cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi which embrace all the technology and conveniences that the modern world has to offer. The well-preserved colonial buildings of Hoi An play host to a slew of charming boutiques and tempting cafes while, further north, the local hill-tribe people of Sapa sell a wide variety of exquisite crafts and handmade trinkets. Beyond the urban areas, this diverse country is characterised by vast, verdant jungles and lush mountainous regions as well as an enticing coastline peppered with golden sand, palm-lined beaches.
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.
Set in the northeastern region of Vietnam, Ha Giang is a province which is considered by many to feature some of Indochina’s most breathtaking natural scenery. The province is characterised by forested limestone and granite mountains which form an ideal environment for outdoor activities such as trekking, mountain climbing, and camping. The best-known rocky area in the province is the Dong Van Rock Plateau, a site recognised by UNESCO as one of the world’s 77 geological parks. This spectacularl area is home to Lung Cu, a tiny little hamlet that features the renowned Lung Cu Flag Tower on Dragon Mountain. Other attractions in the Ha Giang area include a number of colourful local markets, the exquisite rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi, and the Hmong King Palace, a unique architectural landmark built in the early twentieth century.
Located in the northernmost reaches of Vietnam’s Ha Giang Province, Dong Van is a naturally scenic district known for its majestic towering karst mountains. This unspoiled mountainous wilderness is the perfect backdrop for exhilarating outdoor activities such as trekking and mountain climbing. The town of Dong Van makes an excellent base for exploring the nearby minority villages and the surrounding visitor attractions. These include, among others: the Hmong King Palace, a fascinating architectural landmark built in the early twentieth century; Lung Cu Flag Tower perched on the top of a mountain and showcasing tools, costumes and cultural products of the area’s many ethnic groups; and the bustling local Sunday market selling local products made by the Mong, Han, Dao, Giay and Tay people.
Meo Vac is a small but charming district capital hemmed in by steep karst mountains and, like many towns in the northwest, it is steadily being settled by Vietnamese from elsewhere. The journey here along the spectacular Mai Pi Leng Pass, which winds for 22km from Dong Van, is the main attraction. The road has been cut into the side of a cliff with a view of rippling hills tumbling down to the distant waters of the Nho Que River far below. Right at the top of the pass is a lookout point where you can stop to take in the scenery.
