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.
My Tho is the capital city of Vietnam’s Tiền Giang Province and a popular gateway to the magnificent Mekong Delta.
This important market town sits on the northern bank of the Mekong River and features a number of nearby offshore islands that can be visited on boat tours.
The town’s convenient proximity to Ho Chi Minh City makes it a popular day-trip destination for travellers seeking a taste of peaceful river life away from the bustle of the city.
Must-see attractions include a lively morning market and the sprawling Vinh Trung Pagoda, known for its three impressive buddha statues.
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.
Sa Dec is a tranquil former capital, a located in Vietnam’s Dong Thap Province.
Once the home of renowned French novelist Marguerite Duras, as well as functioning as the inspiration for her book The Lover, the town attracts literary fans who can delve into the book’s real-life atmosphere by visiting the glorious, ornate Huynh Thuy Le Old House, where the author’s love affair inspired her writing. Sa Dec is also filled with magnificent sacred buildings.
Must-sees include the gorgeous Huong Pagoda, filled with intricate animal figure designs; and the colourful riverside Cao Dai Temple, which also provides stunning views from its towers.
The Flower Village, which also sells herbs and ornamental plants, is an excellent place to become a little acquainted with some of the locals and is particularly magical around the time of Tet (the lunar new year).
On the surface of it, the An Giang Province's Chau Doc may be a convenient one-night stopover en route to Cambodia, but if you find yourself in this charming town, you will do well to linger for a while.
It is colourful, unspoilt, friendly, and rich in cultural diversity – clearly apparent in the numerous mosques, temples, churches and pilgrimage sites of the area.
An excursion up Sam Mountain to view the shrines and places of worship, including the treasured Ba Chua Xa temple, should be on your to-do list, along with a visit to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, which boasts a 23 metre-high observation tower.
Afterwards, settle back and enjoy dinner at one of the superb eateries in town.
Since Cambodia reopened its borders to tourists in the early 1990s, visitors from around the world have flocked to this intriguing Southeast Asian country to experience its fascinating cultural heritage, to engage with the wonderfully welcoming locals, and to marvel at the numerous spectacular natural wonders Cambodia has to offer.
Phnom Penh, the nation’s bustling capital, is home to a slew of excellent restaurants, lively outdoor markets and a boisterous nightlife. However, most of Cambodia’s most popular attractions are located beyond the capital.
Tourist favourites include: the sleepy French-influenced town of Kampot with its lovely promenade dotted with gorgeous French villas and charming riverside cafes; the breathtaking waterfalls of the lush jungle-clad Cardamon Mountains; and, of course, the awe-inspiring ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat - the world’s largest and arguably most impressive religious structure.
Cambodia serves travellers of all sensitivities, whether they're seeking adventurous jungle excursions, exquisite golden-sand beaches, luxury resorts or sumptuous exotic cuisine, Cambodia truly does have it all.
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.
Discover rural Cambodia and explore Kampong Chhnang, a small town located just west of the Tonle Sab River in Kampong Chhnang Province. Known for its picturesque “floating villages”, visitors can view these charming wooden homes perched on wooden stilts as they hover above the tawny water.
Locals go about their day in lively Andong Russey, a traditional Khmer pottery village where vendors offer a wide range of clay products including jars, pots, elephant statues, piggy banks and even clay grills.
A boat tour along the Tonle Sap leads to the market town of Kompong Leaeng, the home of the ancient pre-Angkorian temples.
Easily accessible from Kampong Chhnang is the vibrant capital city of Phnom Penh, a pulsing cultural and commercial hub that boasts a wide variety of activities and attractions.
Must-see sights include the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Cambodia, Silver Pagoda Buddhist temple and the striking Psar Thmei market.
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.
