Vietnam travel is amazing !! - with its dramatic and varied natural scenery (including a 2,000 mile stunning coastline), colourful hill tribes, fast and furious cities, sleepy heritage towns and a truly fabulous cuisine. A holiday to Vietnam is like no other.
In the north you have green craggy mountains, the dramatic misty Halong Bay, a 2000-mile coastline with fabulous beaches lapped by warm turquoise waters, pulsating cities that never sleep, historic towns oozing character, fabulous cuisine, outstanding hotels topped by the generous friendly people - Vietnam is quite a country.
Any Vietnam travel will more than likely begin or end in Hanoi, the unified country’s long serving capital. As with most Asian cities, it can be quite a frenetic scene, however Hanoi offers some beautiful French colonial architecture and wonderful sites within its historic Old Quarter. The main draw though of a Northern Vietnamese holiday is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay, this spectacular destination with its dramatic limestone karsts jutting out of the sea, the beautiful traditional Vietnamese ‘junks’ sailing you around the Bay for 1 or 2 nights, exploring all the hidden coves and beaches. If you’re feeling particularly active, then an overnight train ride from Hanoi will take you to the remote mountainous area of Sapa where there are some fantastic trekking opportunities through hill tribe villages and small local markets.
Those after something more relaxing though might prefer to spend more time in Central Vietnam and particularly Hoi An and Hue, which offer a true insight into a time long gone with wonderful architecture and peaceful way of life. You are never too far from a beach for some lazing by the turquiose waters, and with such a long coastline there are plenty of Vietnam beaches to choose from. Other wonderful options are Nha Trang and in the South Phan Thiet and Con Dao.
Finally, you could make your way down to the South and Saigon, either at the start or end of any Vietnamese holiday - although it doesn’t have quite the cultural appeal of Hanoi, but it does have some fascinating gems such as The War Remnants Museum and the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were used by the Viet Cong during the American War. For those with extra days and within easy reach of Saigon is the beautiful Mekong Delta which offers an insight into river life with small fishing villages dotted along the river banks as well as a wonderful contrast in scenery, which can be witnessed from the comfort of your hotel or from one of the many beautiful boats offering full or multi-day trips on the mighty Mekong River.
A holiday to Vietnam is one that will linger for a long time in the memory.
Any Vietnam travel will more than likely begin or end in Hanoi, the unified country’s long serving capital. As with most Asian cities, it can be quite a frenetic scene, however Hanoi offers some beautiful French colonial architecture and wonderful sites within its historic Old Quarter. The main draw though of a Northern Vietnamese holiday is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay, this spectacular destination with its dramatic limestone karsts jutting out of the sea, the beautiful traditional Vietnamese ‘junks’ sailing you around the Bay for 1 or 2 nights, exploring all the hidden coves and beaches. If you’re feeling particularly active, then an overnight train ride from Hanoi will take you to the remote mountainous area of Sapa where there are some fantastic trekking opportunities through hill tribe villages and small local markets.
Those after something more relaxing though might prefer to spend more time in Central Vietnam and particularly Hoi An and Hue, which offer a true insight into a time long gone with wonderful architecture and peaceful way of life. You are never too far from a beach for some lazing by the turquiose waters, and with such a long coastline there are plenty of Vietnam beaches to choose from. Other wonderful options are Nha Trang and in the South Phan Thiet and Con Dao.
Finally, you could make your way down to the South and Saigon, either at the start or end of any Vietnamese holiday - although it doesn’t have quite the cultural appeal of Hanoi, but it does have some fascinating gems such as The War Remnants Museum and the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were used by the Viet Cong during the American War. For those with extra days and within easy reach of Saigon is the beautiful Mekong Delta which offers an insight into river life with small fishing villages dotted along the river banks as well as a wonderful contrast in scenery, which can be witnessed from the comfort of your hotel or from one of the many beautiful boats offering full or multi-day trips on the mighty Mekong River.
A holiday to Vietnam is one that will linger for a long time in the memory.