Places of Interest

HANOI

The Vietnamese capital has a distinct French feel to it, with its wide tree lined boulevards and ochre coloured buildings.

Beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake dominates the centre of town. Most tourists love the “Old Quarter”, with its maze of ancient narrow streets and markets. In the old days, there were 36 streets with 36 wares, representing the number of crafts that were originally traded in the area. Other popular attractions include Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi’s first university The Temple of Literature and the Water Puppet show.

HALONG BAY

With its crystal clear waters and limestone karsts searching for the sky, Halong Bay is a picture postcard destination and a must for any complete visit to Vietnam.

For a glimpse of this stunning area take the day tour from Hanoi and enjoy a four hour cruise with a fantastic seafood lunch. For a more in depth viewing, spend one or two nights on board a traditional “junk” cruising its tranquil waters and exploring the area fully. During the warmer months a swim in the World Heritage bay is a must.

SAPA

For a fantastic cultural taste of Vietnam and an insight into some of Vietnam’s 54 minority tribes, Sapa is a must see.

Markets are held most days in Sapa and here you will witness some of the many hilltribe people, clad in their traditional dress, living their daily life. The most vibrant markets are held at Bac Ha on Sunday and are dominated by the colourful Flower H’Mong and Phu Lu people. Walking in the picturesque mountains and visiting the local people’s villages is a wonderful experience.

HA GIANG

One of the most untouched and stunning regions of Vietnam. Left in isolation and only recently opened for tourism Ha Giang has some of the most dramatic scenery that you will come across anywhere.

HUE

Vietnam’s third largest city was once its capital. The Citadel is Hue’s most famous attraction, which houses the Forbidden Purple City, once the Emperor’s private residence. A dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River, visiting Emperor Tu Duc’s Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda, is a great way to see the countryside, or for something different, cycle around this historical town.

CHINA BEACH

Famous the world over thanks to the American TV series of the same name. Close to the city of Danang, China Beach stretches for many kilometres north and some 30km south of Som Tra, almost all the way to Hoi An.

HOI AN

Hoi An is often the highlight of any visit to Vietnam. This quaint fishing town has been occupied by the Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese, which is reflected in its architecture.

A walking tour around town is the best way to appreciate life in Hoi An. Visit its colourful markets or taste some of Vietnam’s best cuisine at a cooking class. Hoi An has become very well known for its tailors, who make excellent clothes at very reasonable prices.

NHA TRANG

This seaside resort town is gaining a reputation for its bountiful seafood and quality resorts. The reason most people come here is to sail around the beautiful turquoise waters of the South China Sea. The clear waters make for excellent snorkelling and scuba diving. Boat trips are a real highlight in Nha Trang.

DALAT

The jewel of the Central Highlands; Dalat is a temperate region dotted with lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forests and gardens. It is also home to many Vietnamese artists and those of the avant-garde set, including the Mad Monk, Vien Thuc, who enjoy its year round mild climate. Other nearby attractions include Lat Village, Dambri Waterfall and a scenic train ride to Trai Mat.

HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

The former capital of South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is home to over 5 million people. The city is rapidly changing in this modern world, but there are still many examples of its former glory. The post office and Notre Dame Cathedral are examples of the French influence, while Ben Thanh Market is the throng of daily life. Other sights worth visiting are the former President’s Palace (Reunification Palace) and the War Remnants Museum.

CU CHI TUNNELS

A short drive outside Ho Chi Minh City are the Cu Chi Tunnels, the former stronghold of the Vietnamese Army.

There are around 250 kms of tunnels that stretch from the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City to the Cambodian border. The network, parts of which were several storeys deep, included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.

MEKONG DELTA

Often referred to as the lifeblood of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a fertile region where much of the country’s rice, sugar cane and fruit crops are grown. Most popular is a visit to the floating markets near Can Tho, where traders barter their produce from their boats. Floating down the many canals and waterways is a great way to experience life in the Mekong Delta.

CHAU DOC

Chau Doc lies in the depth of the Mekong Delta and is the river border town between Vietnam and Cambodia. Depart Vietnam from Chau Doc and travel by boat up the Mekong River to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Watch the lushness pass by as you travel from one country to the next.

PHU QUOC ISLAND

For a tiny island Phu Quoc is steeped in history. During the French occupation, rubber and coconut plantations could be found and during the war it was home to 40,000 P.O.W. inmates. Phu Quoc has now been converted into an ideal tourist destination for nature and sea lovers and is an idyllic location to relax and enjoy a seaside holiday.