Hanoi City

Vietnam's small and pleasant capital lies at the heart of the northern Red River Delta, and is a city of lakes, leafy boulevards and open parks with a French colonial feel. Hanoi was founded in 1010, and became the center of government for the Indochina Union under French rule in 1888. In 1954 it became the official capital of independent Vietnam. Today ancient crumbling buildings dating from the 11th century lie scattered among grand French colonial residences, while shrines and monuments to Vietnam's first president, Ho Chi Minh, sit in the shadow of modern high-rise buildings. The streets of the Old Quarter preserve age-old customs, where trade takes one back half a century, and temples, pagodas and monuments reflect the historic character of Vietnam. Hanoi is fast becoming one of the most enticing and interesting cities in Asia. As a cultural centre there are traditional water puppet shows, and music and dance performances. It is also a good base for excursions to the beautiful Halong Bay, or into the Hoang Lien Mountains inhabited by several hill tribes.

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City

Once romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City is still called Saigon by almost everyone who lives there. It is a modern city by Asian standards and has only been under firm Vietnamese control for a little more than 200 years. The city's character remains essentially French -- with wide boulevards, colonial villas, and a lively café society -- but also resolutely Asian. It has more of a cosmopolitan feel than Hanoi, although much of the old French colonial city is vanishing beneath the rapidly rising skyline and the sheer weight of recent history. Combined with this vivacious street life, the city's French influences have bred a charm all their own. But it is the people even more than the city that you will remember most.

Dalat City

Dalat is located in the South Central highlands of Vietnam. Known unofficially (and somewhat romantically) as The City of Eternal Spring, Dalat also lays claim to the title of le Petit Paris. A scaled down version of the Eiffel Tower emerging from the city center adds a certain Parisian feel, however it is the natural beauty of Xuan Huong Lake and the numerous examples of European inspired architecture and wide city streets that are really the centerpiece of this gorgeously romantic and seductive city of 185,000 inhabitants. The mountainous terrain of Dalat gives way to a perpetual spring like climate, averaging an annual 24 degrees Celsius in day time and even milder conditions during the evenings. Top temperatures generally rise to a comfortable 28 degrees whereas the nights warrant a jacket at almost any time of the year! During the wetter season (approximately April through to October) the city and surrounding forested areas are shrouded in mists - a striking contrast against the backdrop of normal Vietnamese life.

Phan Thiet - Mui Ne

This is one of the best laid-back getaways in Vietnam. The town of Phan Thiet itself is a bustling little fishing port. Though it's picturesque and good for a day's visit, you'll want to get out to the long stretch of beach to the east: the sprawling sandy shore at Mui Ne. This is a popular weekend getaway from nearby Saigon, and anybody with wood and a hammer is putting up a roof and welcoming visitors. Still, there are some very nice upscale resorts and comfy little boutique bungalow properties. Nick Faldo's golf course at the Novotel in Phan Thiet is a big draw here, and the consistent winds of Mui Ne bay bring windsurfers from all over the world. Farther east and north along the coast, some 19.3km (12 miles), there are vast sand dunes, like a beachside Sahara, and inland there is the famous and strangely verdant Silver Lake amid the towering, shifting sands: It's worth a visit. These spots, as well as other small fishing villages, make for great day trips. There are also some local Cham ruins, and the town of Phan Thiet, famous for a brand of fish sauce (nuoc mam) made here, is worth exploring (especially the market). Don't expect the world, but this is a good getaway from Saigon or to take a break as you make your way down the coast.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a wonderful vacation spot that often gets overlooked by prospective tourists. Many visitors to the area spend their time in Saigon and the greater Ho Chi Minh area, but Nha Trang is a quieter and at times more interesting location. The nightlife is much more subdued than the other regions in Vietnam, but this is often a good thing. The restaurants serve up some of the most delicious cuisine in the country, and the prices are always reasonable. The scenery is beautiful, and there are a number of historical sights that remain amazing works of architecture even though they are centuries old. Nha Trang is an ancient city, giving it an authentic and nostalgic feel that you will certainly appreciate. The Po Ngar Cham Towers are tremendous, and the beaches and outdoor activities along the coastline of the city are fabulous. Diving is enormously popular in Nha Trang, and Hon Mieu is an island that is a short boat trip from the port.

A small city that is filled with culture, Nha Trang is home to around 300,000 inhabitants. The surfing and beach life here make it a very desirable location, and often times visitors never want to leave. The most active area of Nha Trang is Tran Phu Street, where you can find the majority of the best restaurants and activities. As expected, the best towers and architectural highlights are off the beaten path a bit. The Po Ngar Temple is the best site in Nha Trang, and it really gives you a glimpse into the history and heritage of this ancient city. There is plenty else to do in Nha Trang that will ensure you have a remarkably enjoyable time.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is a body of water of approximately 1,500 square kilometres in north Vietnam with a 120 kilometre coastline, in the Gulf of Tonkin near the border with China, and 170 kilometres east of Hanoi. "Vinh Ha Long" — Halong Bay — means "Bay of the Descending Dragon" in the Vietnamese language. Ha means "descending" and Long means "dragon" in Sino-Vietnamese.
The bay consists of a dense cluster of 1,969 limestone monolithic islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, which rise spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Hang Dau Go (Wooden stakes Cave) is the largest grotto in the Halong area. French tourists visited in the late 19th century, and named the cave Grotte des Merveilles. Its three large chambers contain large numerous stalactites and stalagmites (as well as 19th century French graffiti). There are two bigger islands, Tuan Chau and Cat Ba, that have permanent inhabitants. Both of them have tourist facilities, including hotels and beaches. There are a number of wonderful beaches on the smaller islands. Some of the islands support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks. Many of the islands have acquired their names as a result of interpretation of their unusual shapes: such names include Voi Islet (elephant), Ga Choi Islet (fighting cock), and Mai Nha Islet (roof). 989 of the islands have been given names. Birds and animals including bantams, antelopes, monkeys, and iguanas also live on some of the islands

Hoi An Town