Vietnam

Home to a remarkable diversity of landscapes and to a notoriously turbulent history, Vietnam is an incredibly rich and vibrant country that makes a fascinating destination for holidaymakers. Combining ancient traditions and monuments with Western influences and modern buildings, the country is a unique blend of the old and new. Its landscapes vary from the vibrant cityscapes of Ho Chi Minh City and the more relaxed, colonial feel of Hanoi, to the beautiful limestone islets of Halong Bay and the ancient and charming imperial city of Hoi An.

Most tours take in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the south of the country, a city where Chinese shop houses stand alongside colonial architecture, in a bustling and vibrant atmosphere. Hanoi, in the north, now the country’s capital, has a celebrated French quarter and tree-lined boulevards which provide a touch of serenity amid the city scenes. There are beautiful beaches in central Vietnam and reminders of the years of war with the Cu Chi tunnels and the scarred but resilient Hue, near Danang. The weather can vary greatly from one area to another: but is typically hot and humid in the summer, cool and dry in the winter.