Vietnam

A long, skinny country curled around the East Sea, Vietnam has 3,450 km of coastline and a central spine of mountains, including the highest peak in mainland Southeast Asia, Mount Fansipan. Vietnam’s shape is often compared to two rice baskets on a shoulder pole. Vietnam is one of the best places in Southeast Asia to witness the convergence of old and new. It is a youthful nation with a desire for modernity, yet it is very protective of its traditional past. Vietnam’s tropical climate has average annual temperatures ranging between 22˚C and 30˚C, with two distinct seasons: wet and dry!

The capital, Hà Nội, is a rapidly developing city; however, it has retained many of its cultural traditions. The city has a vibrant street culture, where daily activities, such as haircutting and eating at food stalls, take place on cramped footpaths. Only a 3.5-hour drive from Hà Nội is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hạ Long Bay. It is a nature lover’s dream, with spectacular scenery, limestone karsts, deserted beaches, amazing caves and hidden lagoons.

Two hours from Hà Nội, Ninh Binh offers a world of cultural heritage and is often referred to as ‘Hạ Long Bay on land’ due to its natural beauty. Take the opportunity to be rowed on a sampan to Tam Cốc along a peaceful stream, admiring views of majestic limestone cliffs, mysterious caves and lush rice paddies. Nearby Hoa Lư was the capital of Vietnam over a thousand years ago.

The central coast of Vietnam is where you will find the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hội An. This riverside town has a remarkable, beautifully preserved Ancient Quarter, with streets lined with old tile-roofed shophouses, shady pagodas and colourful communal halls. This is the place to get outfits made, all within 24 hours. Huế was once the imperial capital of Vietnam, and while imperial rule ended more than eight decades ago, the central city still bears the marks of its royal past. Visitors may explore the red-lacquered pavilions of the Citadel, wander through ancient garden houses or feast on delicacies once served in the royal palaces.

Đà Lạt is situated in Vietnam’s picturesque Central Highlands. This former French hill station boasts cool mountain air, some of the best-preserved French colonial architecture in Indochina and stunning natural beauty. Nha Trang is a sun-washed town with a seven-kilometre stretch of golden sand, making it the perfect place to get a dose of sun, surf and fresh seafood. Offshore islands dot the clear blue seas, offering excellent prospects for diving, fishing and snorkelling.

Hồ Chí Minh City, or Sài Gòn, in southern Vietnam, is a sprawling metropolis of approximately 12 million people and Vietnam’s commercial centre. The dynamic city has so much energy, which is apparent in the bustling street scenes, with thousands of people on motorbikes constantly on the move. From Sài Gòn, you can make a day trip to the Cù Chi Tunnels and the Cao Đài Holy See Temple. Located just 1.5 hours from Sài Gòn, Mỹ Tho/Bến Tre is the gateway to the Mekong Delta and the agrarian heartland, where farmers cultivate paddy fields, tend their orchards of tropical fruit and fish in the rivers and canals that criss-cross this fertile plain.

Phú Quốc Island is located off the southern tip of Vietnam’s coast and is a haven for nature and sea lovers looking for a place to unwind. The island has been heavily developed in recent years, with large resorts, a casino, theme parks and a long cable car. Another group of islands, Côn Đảo, is possibly one of the best-kept secrets in Vietnam, offering stunning forests, deserted tropical beaches and unique sea life.