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.
Hoi An, on Vietnam’s central coast, is enchanting. This once-bustling port town offers a colourful blend of French, Chinese and Japanese-influenced architecture, canals, bridges and temples, and the lack of noisy traffic (no cars are allowed on the main streets) means you can discover the town in relative peace and quiet. Its waterfront area is alive with boutique hotels, eateries, tailor shops, and art and craft shops. If you have time, try to fit in a visit to the ruins of My Son Sanctuary, an ancient Hindu tower temple complex, get custom-made clothing created by a local tailor and pick up one of the many beautiful locally-made Vietnamese lanterns.
Quy Nhơn is a large, prosperous coastal city and the capital of Bình Định Province in central Vietnam. The town sits on a gorgeous sweeping bay with a sparkling new promenade running along the length of the city's five-kilometre beach, which makes a lovely place for a breezy evening stroll. Just off the promenade, numerous open-air restaurants with panoramic ocean views grill, steam and stew seafood caught only hours before by local fishermen. Beyond the beach are a few places worth exploring in the nearby area, including some remarkably well-restored ancient towers with typical features of Cham architecture. Among these are the impressive Twin Cham Towers, the most accessible of all the Cham towers in Quy Nhon. The Banh It Towers boast a panoramic view of the Thi Nai River, Truong Son mountains, and the ocean. The historic Vijaya Citadel captivates history enthusiasts as the storied site of many besiegements, sackings, and bloody battles.
Nha Trang is Vietnam’s most famous seaside resort-town, set apart by its lively, urban atmosphere, its dynamic nightlife, as well as some of the country’s best beaches and dive sites. A glorious 6 km stretch of golden sand is lapped by azure waters on one side and lined with cafés, restaurants, parks and some rather unique public sculptures on the other. While on the surface it may appear to be yet another seaside party town, the city has many hidden charms waiting to be discovered. Must see attractions include: the majestic temple, Po Nagar; Dam Market, home to some of the city’s best French-colonial architecture and crumbling 19th-century Chinese houses; and the world’s longest cross-sea cable-car ride which transports visitors to nearby Hon Tre (Bamboo Island).
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.
This group of islands off the southern coast of Vietnam is fast becoming one of the country’s star attractions, thanks to its natural beauty and rather exotic wildlife. Not many other places in the world are home to black giant squirrels or bow-fingered geckos. Con Son, the largest island in the archipelago, is flanked by gorgeous beaches, coral reefs, and scenic bays, so there’s plenty of exploring to do – on land as well as underwater. All rather far removed from its history as a prison island during the French colonial era, and Vietnam War. The old prison buildings are still standing and are open to the public, as is a small museum that traces the island’s history.
