Culture, cities and beach resorts

Street food, coffee and culture in Hanoi

Day 1–2 in Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital is a riot of blaring horns, stunning architecture and delicious street food. Head to the original streets of the Old Quarter, where market traders have been selling their wares for more than 1,000 years, before exploring the city’s historical heritage, influenced by Chinese and French occupations and the scars of the American War.

Make sure to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, dedicated to the man who fought for a unified Vietnam, before lapping up the city’s coffee culture and street food stalls.

Cruise Halong Bay

Day 3–4 in Halong Bay

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin in northeast Vietnam, Halong Bay is easily Vietnam’s star attraction. More than 1600 karst islands and islets jut up from the ocean, each tower of rock uniquely shaped by nature.

Overnight cruises on traditional boats, known as junks, explore some of the 43,400-hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site, usually with stops to kayak around the formations, visit caverns and explore traditional floating fishing villages.

Beware that Halong Bay's beauty has become its own undoing; the city, pier and bay itself are enormously busy with tourists year-round. Treat marketing photos of lone junks in otherwise deserted waters with a healthy pinch of salt; they're probably photos of either Lan Ha Bay or and Bai Tu Long, to the south and north of Halong respectively. These two areas are far quieter but still far from "undiscovered" as some brochures would have you believe.

Two-night cruises from Halong Bay have enough time to reach these less crowded waters. Alternatively you can find cruises departing from Cat Ba Island.

If you're booking a standalone cruise yourself note that the hundreds of Hanoi-based agencies that sell tours are middle-men who are not actually running the trip, so buyer beware. When choosing a boat, the size, level of comfort and service ranges from backpacker party boats to luxurious private cruises. As with most things in life you get what you pay for when choosing a Halong Bay cruise.

The best time to visit Halong Bay is springtime from March to May/June, as well as September/October. These periods are most likely to have warm, dry weather. The peak tourist season of November to February can be good if you don’t mind cold temperatures (12 to 20 Celsius) and mist that reduces visibility. Halong Bay’s off-season coincides with the hot, humid, rainy months of June to August; operators offer discounts though cruises may be cancelled due to stormy weather.

Explore Imperial Vietnam in Hue

Day 5–6 in Hue

Charming Hue was once the capital of the Nguyen dynasty and is a great place to explore the history of Imperial Vietnam. Look out for its rambling architecture and fascinating museums, such as the tombs of the Ancient Emperors and the Tu Hieu Pagoda, or take a peaceful cruise along the Perfume River.

Explore Hoi An and central Vietnam

Day 7–8 in Hoi An

Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most attractive cities, due in part to the preservation of historic buildings in its Old Town (Hoi An avoided being bombed in the Vietnam War). Look out for Chinese temples, Japanese merchant houses and evocative tea warehouses, or head to the enticing market on the Thu Bon river. Hoi An is also an excellent base for exploring the villages and countryside of central Vietnam.

Get historical in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 9 in Ho Chi Minh City

Previously known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City changed its name after Vietnam unified following the Vietnam War. This is the place to learn more about Vietnam’s recent past, with many museums, monument and sites like the Cu Chi Tunnels, where North Vietnamese soldiers hid during the War.

Beyond history, Ho Chi Minh City is now one of Vietnam’s most innovative cities and a centre of commerce. This is the place to see the Vietnam of the past and the future, with ancient temples mingling with 21st-century skyscrapers.

Floating markets and rice paddies in the Mekong Delta

Day 10–11 in Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s breadbasket, with 70% of the country’s fruit and 50% of its rice grown here. This maze of rivers, rice paddies and floating markets offers visitors the chance to see rural Vietnam and experience farm life, whether onboard a floating boat or through a homestay with local families. The many villages are also a good place to try some of Vietnam’s varied cuisine.

Relax on Phu Quoc’s beaches

Day 12–13 in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is an idyllic island that offers beaches, diving and kayaking to those looking to escape the bustle of Vietnam’s cities. Once a quiet backwater, Phu Quoc has rapidly embraced tourism. It’s worth looking beyond the resorts of Long Beach if you want a quieter, more tropical experience. Make sure to try some seafood on Phu Quoc — the island’s residents are traditional fishermen and its claim to fame is the production of Vietnam’s best fish sauce.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City and depart

Day 14 in Ho Chi Minh City

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for your onward flight.