Located in southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is the country’s largest city and a vibrant destination known for its energy, history, culture and cuisine. Tourists are drawn to its lively streets, bustling markets and fascinating mix of historic landmarks and modern city life. At Ben Thanh Market, visitors can browse stalls selling everything from food, sweets and spices to souvenirs, clothing and custom-made suits. Nha Hang Ngon offers the chance to sample traditional Vietnamese street food in a relaxed, leafy garden setting. Other highlights include the striking Notre-Dame Basilica, the Jade Emperor Pagoda with its intricate statues and woodcarvings, and the thought-provoking War Remnants Museum. Visitors can also explore Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda, regarded as Vietnam’s only pure Taoist temple, adding another fascinating dimension to the city’s rich cultural heritage.
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.
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.
