Ho Chi Minh City is the face of modern Vietnam with stylish boutique hotels, contemporary shopping malls and chic cafes that line architecturally impressive streets in a high octane city of surprises. Vietnam is diverse in its offerings – melding traditional cultural practices with the latest Western developments. Close to the city centre are the Cu Chi tunnels where the Viet Cong dug tens of thousands of miles of tunnels, including an extensive network running underneath the Cu Chi district northwest of the city.
To the east of Ho Chi Minh lie Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Phan Thiet is a quaint fishing harbor town with a selection of fine seafood restaurants along its seafront promenade. Follow the coastal road over the hill to the north and descend onto the long, sandy crescent of Mui Ne Bay. This now popular windsurfing destination offers a range of accommodation types to suit every traveler.
Phu Quoc and Con Dao provide island escapes away from the mainland. A number of luxury resorts and stretches of idyllic beach graced with lush palm trees have formed these two islands into star attractions in Southern Vietnam.
A centre of commerce and culture, Ho Chi Minh City captures the imagination of every traveler through hidden alleys teeming with life, markets buzzing with activity and a developed coffee culture that echoes the French colonial influences of bygone eras. The largest city in Vietnam and formerly known as Saigon as it is often referred to by locals, is a uniquely colorful, vibrant and welcoming place. Dispersed with wide open parks, boulevards and the Saigon River – Ho Chi Minh City enthralls on every level.
Phan Thiet is a relaxing seaside town with ample opportunity to converse amongst locals and learn about the working practices of those who live here. The town is traditionally known for its fish sauce production that remains the largest industry within the region. There are a number of sparse beaches and wide selection of authentic seafood restaurants along the promenade, offering an escape from the sometimes overcrowded Mui Ne to the north.
Can Tho is the pulsating heart of the Mekong Delta. A busy, jostling centre crossed by numerous canals and arteries providing transport routes for an overwhelming number of boats. A journey into Can Tho is an eye opener to a rural way of life in the backwaters of Vietnam. With plenty of restaurants, floating markets, friendly people and a welcoming atmosphere, this riverside province never fails to capture the traveler’s heart.
Con Dao is an island covered in dense jungle and owing to its location, remains less visited than its neighbors situated nearby in the Gulf of Thailand. Here it is possible to find a sparse beach and literally relax in your own little paradise, exploring the crystal clear waters that are home to an abundance of protected marine life. With a small airport on the far north of the island – access is easy making it the ideal getaway for a night or two.
A mountainous and densely forested island located in the Gulf of Thailand close to Cambodia. Its proximity to Cambodia and Thailand make it an ideal stepping stone into Vietnam on a multi-country journey through Southeast Asia. Visitors are not only treated to some of Vietnam’s finest beaches, but also a selection of fine seafood caught daily in the surrounding waters.
Located in the South Central Highlands, Dalat was a popular destination during French colonial rule owing to the cooler temperatures. Many villas were built here during this period to escape the heat and humidity of the lowlands – and these magnificent architectural styles still exist today. Many travelers liken their experiences in Dalat to that of stumbling into the French Alps. With a large hill tribe community and many traditional customs still in practice, Dalat is quite different from anywhere else in Vietnam.
Nha Trang is the most famous seaside resort in Vietnam, boasting a lively atmosphere and stunning landscape of swaying palms, green mountains and sweeping crescent bays looking out to remote islets scattered off the coast. Offering more than just the opportunity to while away days lounging on the beach, Nha Trang has been well-developed over the years to include sculpture gardens, parks and an array of bars and restaurants that stay open late into the night.
