Vietnam is truly one of those destinations where the remarkable beauty of its culture seduces all. Some visitors still expect to find a war-shattered country but after nearly three decades of peace, the residue of war ironically seems to attract the tourists. Visitors often want to see the Cu Chi tunnels outside former Saigon or the Hanoi war museum with its rusting heaps.  But all this pales in comparison with the serene white sand beaches, clear blue waters and the mist veiled forests alive with exotic animals.

Trix recommends a typical Vietnam experience tour, which covers:

• Hanoi – visit the Ho Ch Minh mausoleum and museum, the one Pillar pagoda and Ngoc Son temple. Take a walk through Hanoi’s old quarter, over 1000 years old with 36 streets full of market traders. Don’t miss the Vietnamese water puppet show either!
• Halong Bay cruise – A world Heritage site, cruise the bay visiting the many islands with their beautiful grottoes. Stunning scenery includes sheer cliffs, peaceful coves and secluded beaches
• Hue – Visit the imperial tombs of Tu Duc, the longest reigning emperor and Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nyugen dynasty. Visit the Old Imperial City which was modelled on the Forbidden City of Beijing. Take a river cruise on the Perfume River to end you visit to Hue.
• Hoi An – Take trip to My Son, Vietnams’ great ancient city, rivalling Angkor and Bagan. Temples and Pagodas abound here, but do not miss the ancestral houses, which combine Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese styles.
• Ho Chi Minh City – Formerly Saigon - highlights here include: Chinatown, Thien Hau pagoda and the lively Ben Thanh market. From here you can also take a river cruise to My Tho in the Mekong Delta.

Trix’s comments:

Vietnam is a country of sublime beauty and warm, friendly people. It has left its turbulent past behind and has a vibrant and modern face now. With variety from hill tribes who maintain their old traditions to bustling modern cities with hectic crowds, to floating villages and miles of pristine sand beaches, I think Vietnam is one of the most diverse and enjoyable South east Asian countries.

When to go?

October to March are the best months to travel to the country as a whole with regional variations to the climate. Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate. The Mekong Delta has heavy rains in September and October, as does central Vietnam. The days are generally warm with temperatures around 30 degrees. Mid winter is slightly cooler, as are the hill stations.