The sinuous S-shape of Vietnam greatly facilitates a tour of the country that will take in all its diverse aspects. Both Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon in the south and Hanoi in the north have international airports, so which way you go is your choice. A lot of visitors start off their organised tours to travel around Vietnam by arriving at Saigon to immerse themselves in its bustling life before heading north and ending up at the calmer capital of Hanoi to quietly end their journey, whilst others do it the other way round. Either way, you’ll be in for a real treat because Vietnam has beautiful landscapes of mountain, forest and coastline, along with a rich cultural heritage in its ancient cities and a rural economy based on rice that hasn’t changed a whole lot in centuries.
Hanoi in the north is in the extremely rich delta area of the great Red River, one of the most beautiful regions of the country with a range of protected wildlife and with great trekking in the nearby border areas with China. The myriad limestone islands just to the east of Vietnam’s capital are ideal for leisurely cruises and the Halong Bay area is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Starting or ending a tour in this region has numerous benefits, either as a taster for things to come or as a great way of winding down after seeing the rest of the country on a south-north tour.
Hanoi itself has been the capital of Vietnam for a full millennium and the sense of history you find here is palpable. As well as having successfully clung to its ancient attractions despite the speed of recent technological change, Hanoi is also a very visitor-friendly city with numerous places of interest and a welcoming and experienced populace. There are plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants, and reputable places to change money. The Old Quarter is especially interesting to wander round, as it has been at the heart of the city for 800 years, and the numerous handicraft villages that occupy this part of the delta are worth a visit too if you’re interested in traditional ways of life and picking up a few authentic souvenirs of your visit.
Taking a trip to the coast to see Halong Bay is definitely recommended as there are literally thousands of beautiful and bizarre limestone pillars that rise from the bay and make it look like a work of modern art. This is probably the most dramatic seascape on the planet and a natural wonder of the world, not to be missed! The best way to explore this part of the coastline is on a traditional junk, cruising between the islands and dropping in for fresh fish at the numerous little fishing villages that dot the whole area.
North of Hanoi, don’t miss stopping over at Sapa in the hills for a flashback to colonial days. This is one of the many old French hill stations that now attract the tourists for their amazing views across the surrounding lush valleys near the Chinese border. Its high elevation means it has a much cooler climate which is what inspired the French to build a summer retreat here for the stifling summer months.
David Elliott is a freelance writer who loves to travel, especially in Europe and Turkey. He’s spent most of his adult life in a state of restless excitement but recently decided to settle in North London. He gets away whenever he can to immerse himself in foreign cultures and lap up the history of great cities.
