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.
This coastal city in central Vietnam was a favourite with American soldiers during the Vietnam-US War, mainly for the R&R opportunities it offered by way of China Beach, located to the southwest. Da Nang is situated on a long thin peninsula and offers about 30km of shoreline - crystal clear lagoon waters on its one side and beach on the other. Naturally there are plenty of water activities on offer, including fishing, water-skiing, diving and yachting, while visitors interested in culture can pop into the Museum of Cham Sculpture, or stroll down the Han Riverfront to see how the city is developing. Day trips to Nui Son Tra (Monkey Mountain), the Ba Na Hills and the five Marble Mountains are must-dos.
One of southern Vietnam’s most popular beach destinations, Mui Ne is an upmarket coastal village resting on the banks of the long, sweeping Mui Bay. This spectacularly scenic bay boasts some exquisite sandy beaches lined with luxurious beachfront resorts, and a number of excellent restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Travellers seeking an authentic Vietnamese experience can head to a nearby traditional fishing village offering picturesque views of the coastline with swaying palm trees and colourful fishing boats. Mui Ne is a kitesurfer’s paradise attracting wind sport worshippers from around the world with its consistent cross onshore winds. Other popular activities include surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking and jet skiing.
Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc, is located in the Kiên Giang Province. Touching down in this picture-postcard setting is the start of something special: the paradise presents visitors with miles of palm-lined white beaches and turquoise bays. There are reefs to dive, fresh seafood to sample, coves to kayak, and plenty of jungle-clad backroads to bike along. The majority of the island is a national park, offering numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing and hiking. The island is also well known for its production of fish sauce, black pepper, the local Phu Quoc hunting dogs, characterised by their ridged backs, curly tails and blue tongues.
The perfect complement to the more serene Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has a pulsating energy that is impossible to resist. 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. Other notable sites and experiences include the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Jade Emperor Pagoda for its statues and woodcarvings, the War Remnants Museum, and the Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda, said to be the only pure Taoist temple in Vietnam.
