Vietnam

Vietnam stretches in a long S along the sea, from the northern mountains to the Mekong Delta. Hanoi means lakes, Old Quarter streets, French-era boulevards, the Opera House and superb street food. A few hours away rise the limestone islands of UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, while rice terraces around Sa Pa climb towards Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak.

On the central coast, Hue’s citadel and imperial tombs on the Perfume River and Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town are UNESCO-listed, and the Hai Van Pass leads to Da Nang’s beaches and the Marble Mountains. Further south lie the quiet bays of Phu Yen and Nha Trang, and Vinh Hy Bay by Nui Chua National Park. Ho Chi Minh City brings energy, rooftop views and food, the Mekong Delta its floating markets, Phu Quoc beaches and sunsets, and Con Dao a national park with nesting turtles and diving.

Food alone justifies the trip: phở, bún chả, bánh mì, Hoi An’s cao lầu, fresh herbs, iced cà phê sữa đá and Hanoi’s egg coffee. The north has cool winters and hot, humid summers; the central coast is best roughly February–August, with rains about September–December; the south and Phu Quoc are dry around November–April. Vietnam suits culture and food lovers, families, city-and-beach trips and wellness retreats, and pairs easily with Cambodia, Laos or Thailand.