Vietnam

Vietnam runs roughly 1,600 km north to south, so most trips pick two or three bases rather than trying to see it all. It is inexpensive, the food is exceptional, and the landscapes shift dramatically from north to south.

In the north, Hanoi is the cultural capital: the tangled Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature, and a strong coffee-and-street-food culture. From here, day and overnight trips reach Ha Long Bay and the quieter Lan Ha Bay, where limestone islands rise straight out of the sea and boats anchor overnight, plus the rice terraces and trekking around Sapa and the inland karst of Ninh Binh.

Central Vietnam is about heritage and beaches. Hoi An is a lantern-lit former trading port, car-free in its old town, famous for tailors and riverside evenings. Nearby Da Nang has a long city beach, the Marble Mountains and the hilltop Ba Na Hills with the hand-held Golden Bridge; Hue has the walled Imperial City and royal tombs along the Perfume River.

The south is faster and tropical. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) has the War Remnants Museum, colonial landmarks, the Cu Chi Tunnels nearby, and a buzzing food and nightlife scene. The Mekong Delta's floating markets and the beaches of Phu Quoc island are common add-ons.

Vietnamese food is a highlight everywhere: pho, banh mi, bun cha, fresh spring rolls, com tam, and strong iced coffee with condensed milk. Halal options are limited but growing in the big cities and in areas with a Cham Muslim population; many travellers eat vegetarian dishes and seafood to keep it simple.

Because the country is so long, there is no single best season. October–April suits the south and centre; March–May and September–November are good in the north. Central Vietnam sees storms and flooding risk around October–November.

Domestic flights link the main cities cheaply and save long overland journeys. Within cities, use Grab (cars and motorbike taxis). Trains and open-tour buses are options for shorter hops like Hue–Da Nang.