An exciting adventure in Vietnam

Perched on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and one of the world's most ancient cities. Its beauty lies in its liveliness of bustling streets where workshops and cafes spill out onto the streets and roadsides. As the intersection point where east meets west, Hanoi is a fascinating mix of old and new, Asian and European. With Chinese and French influences, an ancient culture, colonial architecture, broad tree-lined boulevards and beautiful lakes, the iconic architectural appearance of the Old Quarter and the elegance of the French Quarter, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, etc... gives Vietnam’s capital city a unique charm of the ancient and modern. Hanoi is also home to one of Asia’s strong indigenous culinary traditions, with bustling wet markets and a rowdy street-food culture, as well as some five star international dining options. It is also very affordable by urban Asian standards, with the majority of hotels and restaurants offering plenty of value.

Situated atop Hoang Lien Son mountains, Sapa is a colonial-era town in northwest Vietnam overlooking the terraced rice fields of Muong Hoa Valley. At an elevation of 1,500m, this small market town shares its border with China and offers some of Vietnam's best trekking routes. Arguably offering one of the most authentic rural experiences, Sapa is rapidly becoming a mainstream destination. Sapa is also well known for its diverse cultural makeup. Tiny villages dot the hillsides and are home to different ethnic minorities, each with their own customs and culture. While some parts of this area are more remote than others, the region has been able to preserve a rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. As a well-known holiday destination, Sapa has an all year round appeal because of its cool weather and beautiful hilly scenery. In particular, it is the only place to have snow in Vietnam in the winter.

Halong Bay, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, is located 170km east of Hanoi. It is made up of three neighboring bays: Halong, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays, although Halong Bay is undeniably the most famous and most well-known of the three. Widely considered a natural wonder of the world, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is breathtaking with thousands of majestic limestone, peaks and islets rising dramatically out of the sparkling emerald waters of the bay. The most common way to explore is by taking an overnight night cruise or day-trip which cruises among the limestone pillars and islets. Many also include an island drop off and cave explorations. Visiting floating villages in the area gives a chance to interact with the local community whose livelihoods depend on the waters. Another way to immerse oneself close up in the bay is by kayaking near and around the limestone pillars and some of the caves that are possible to enter by kayak.

Ninh Binh is a wonderful region in northern Vietnam in the Red River Delta. Breathtaking scenery, vivid green fields, flowing rivers beneath limestone mountains and caves, and a laid back atmosphere that contrasts with the bustle of Hanoi. Approximately 1.5 hours to 2 hours from Hanoi by road, Ninh Binh was once the ancient capital in the 10th to 11th centuries, and now a heaven for nature lovers. Spend time exploring the paddy fields, age old temples and pagodas on foot, cycling or taking a gentle boat ride through a network of waterways opening out on to lakes with limestone mountains towering above. While a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi is easy, staying a few days means you will get more out of exploring this intriguing and charming area.

Quang Binh, a humble province in the central region of Vietnam, holds hidden experiences that will surprise many travelers, from limestone mountains, lush forests to stunning beaches. The province is also home to hundreds of deep caves, including one of the largest in the world – Son Doong Cave containing a cavern so tall that a skyscraper could fit inside. Phong Nha, the township of Quang Binh Province, is the epicenter for caving adventures in this area and Son Doong Cave is a UNESCO heritage site. Formed approximately 400 million years ago, Phong Nha is a speleologists’ heaven on earth, and a real treat for anyone who appreciates the true meaning of nature. Phong Nha is a paradise for adventure seekers with its colossal caves, forest trekkings, remote country lanes and rivers.

Commonly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam is the country’s largest city and the financial and economical capital. This is a city full of surprises. Chaotic traffic blends with peaceful pagodas, parks, multi-style coffee shops and whole neighborhoods hidden down tiny alleyways. Icons of the past endure in the middle of the city’s vast urbanization. The ornate Saigon opera house, Hôtel de Ville - former French city hall, broad boulevards leading to the Saigon River and the gracious stucco villas are reminders of French-colonial times. In addition, the Chinese influence is also evident particularly in Cholon district (the city's Chinatown), while modern skyscrapers and international hotel chains that dot the skyline symbolize Vietnam's fixation on the future.

The Mekong Delta, located in the southernmost territory bordered by Cambodia, is the most fertile land in Vietnam. This is a region of unrelenting beauty - nicknamed the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam, where over 50% of Vietnam’s rice is grown. It is home to a unique ecosystem with diverse communities and ethnicities, and there are few places like this in the world. One the best, if not the best, ways to experience this area is to take a boat trip (1 day or a few days with staying overnight in local homestays) along the Mekong River's twisting capillaries of tropical canals, mangroves, past rice paddies, floating markets, where life on and off the river merge into one.

Phu Quoc, Kien Giang Province, is an idyllic emerald island with white powder beaches, turquoise waters and palm tree forests. It is located close to the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. Once a quiet backwater, it is popular with those who seek the solitude of a beach resort holiday or water sports such as diving and kayaking. Long Beach is the largest beach in Phu Quoc located on the west coast from Duong Dong town to almost reaching the island's southern tip. Lined with open-air restaurants and bars, it is the most developed of the island’s beaches yet still retains a laid-back ambiance. Around 70% of Phu Quoc Island is covered by forests and is one of the largest islands in the Kien Giang UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Phu Quoc National Park is home to a virgin rainforest. Here there are no marked out hiking trails, so its advisable to hike in a group and use suitable hiking equipment.