Vietnam runs 1,650km from north to south — a geography that produces dramatically different climates, landscapes, and cultures. Hanoi in the north is a thousand-year capital with an intact Old Quarter and French colonial architecture; Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south is a fast-moving commercial city whose street food and café culture rival anywhere in Asia. In between: Hội An's perfectly preserved 15th-century trading port lit with silk lanterns; Huế's imperial citadel and royal tombs; the marble mountains of Đà Nẵng; and the rice terraces of Sapa in the northwest.
Vietnam runs 1,650km from north to south — a geography that produces dramatically different climates, landscapes, and cultures. Hanoi in the north is a thousand-year capital with an intact Old Quarter and French colonial architecture; Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south is a fast-moving commercial city whose street food and café culture rival anywhere in Asia. In between: Hội An's perfectly preserved 15th-century trading port lit with silk lanterns; Huế's imperial citadel and royal tombs; the marble mountains of Đà Nẵng; and the rice terraces of Sapa in the northwest.
Vietnamese food is one of the world's great cuisines — lighter and fresher than much of Southeast Asia, built on aromatic herbs, fermented fish sauce, and a technique of balancing flavours. Phở, bánh mì, bún chả, bún bò Huế, cơm tấm, and gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls) are the most famous representatives of an endlessly varied repertoire. Vietnam is currently excellent value for money and rewards travellers who move slowly and eat adventurously.
