On a visit to Vietnam, hike through the Hoang Lien Mountains to Sapa and visit ethnic hill tribes. Kayak between jagged limestone islets in Halong Bay, cruise the Perfumed River in Hue, discover the beautiful coastal beach resort of Nha Trang, dive into the pristine waters around Phu Quocand explore the Mekong Delta by boat or by bicycle.

Or crawl through the claustrophobic wartime Cu Chi tunnels near Saigon or the Vinh Moc tunnels near Hue, duck into the command bunker of defeated French General De Castries at Dien Bien Phu and see wrecked fighter jets at the War Remnants Museum in Saigon. Experience Hanoi's tree-lined boulevards, lakes and belle époque villas; explore palaces and the famous citadel in the ancient imperial city of Hué; and dive in to bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for shopping bargains.

Highlights North Vietnam

Hanoi- Blessed with broad tree-lined boulevards, lakes and parks, belleé poque villas and beautiful temples, the capital city of Hanoi reflects a fascinating blend of Indo-Chinese and French colonial influences.

Wander the maze of picturesque narrow streets of the Old Quarter; browse the sprawling Dong Xuan Market; pay your respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and see personal artifacts of the Vietnamese leader at the Ho Chi Minh Museum or at his charming lakeside home.

Then visit One Pillar Pagoda, a cultural and historic relic built in 1049 and unique for its architectural features or pop into the Temple of Literature(Van Mieu),Vietnam's first university. Other highlights not to be missed include:

Hoan Kiem Lake-Located in the heart of Hanoi, this pretty and mystical lake is known locally as the ‘Lake of the Restored Sword'. It is steeped in Arthurian-style legend: in the 15th century, a giant turtle rose from the lake to reclaim a magical sword that was given to Emperor Le Loi to expel the Chinese army from Vietnam.

Stroll beneath a mix of huge, lush green trees, especially beautiful in June and July when the flame trees flower. Watch the locals exercise and practice martial arts while lovers cuddle on park benches.

Be entertained by a traditional water puppet show, music and dance performance in the evening and visit monks at Ngoc Son Temple, an 18th century pagoda which stands on an island easily reached along a wooden red-painted bridge at the northern end of the lake. Try to spot the large soft-shelled turtles basking in the sun beneath the tiny Thap Rua pagoda built on a tiny islet at the centre of the lake.

Hoa Lo Prison (a.k.a. Hanoi Hilton)-Get a glimpse into Vietnam's grim past at this small museum originally built by the French to detain Vietnamese dissidents, then used by the Vietnamese to house US pilots –including John McCain – who were shot down during the American War.

Army Museum-Discover an amazing array of weaponry, including aircraft,tanks, bombs an dartillery pieces that were used during the French and American wars. See wreckage of downed French and US aircraft as well as one of the Vietnamese tanks that crashed through the Presidential Palace gates in Saigon, on 30 April 1975.

Thousands of exhibits, including evocative photographs, maps, scale models and various bric-a-brac, give an insight into Vietnam's struggle against the colonial powers. Hanoi's ancient flag tower (Cot Co), built in 1812,stands in the grounds.

Hoang Lien Son Nature Reserve -Trek into a pristine mountain range, home to Vietnam's highest mountain, Fan Si Pan (3143m). Marvel at the picture-perfect rice terraces, lush vegetation and look out for wild life including leopard, tiger and black gibbon, as well as more than 150 bird species.

Visit picturesque villages around Sa Pa,the former French hill station, and meet ethnic hill tribe people who still practice animism and wear colourful traditional clothing. Head to the nearby town of Bac Ha to shop for traditional handicrafts at the lively Sunday market, which is attended by ethnic minorities, including Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho peoples.

Dien BienPhu-Nestled in the flat Muong Thanh Valley and surrounded by steep and forested hills, Dien Bien Phu sits just 34km from the Lao Border. The site is famous for the Viet Minh's decisive victory over French colonial forces in 1954. Today the region is mainly the home of Thai and H'mong tribes people.

Learn about the 55-day battle at Dien Bien Phu Museum then head to the battle field sites at A1 Hill and Doc Lap Hill, the command bunker of French General De Castries. And, some 35km further away, visit the command post of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Ha Long Bay-Take a scenic cruise on a refurbished junk through this extraordinary World Heritage site past thousands of towering limestone cliffs,jungle-topped islands, hidden caves, grottoes and clear,emerald water slapping the white sand of tranquil bays. Join a tour to see sparkling stalactites and stalagmites inside Hang Thien Cung cave(Grotto of the Heavenly Palace) and in Hang Sung Sot (Surprise Cave).

Come face to face with some interesting rock formations, including a pink phallus, or paddle through low caves into towering lime stone islands where the jungle vegetation over head teams with wildlife.

Central Vietnam

Hué-The old Imperial City is home to the famous citadel, evocative temples,majestic gardens and the royal palaces of the Forbidden Purple City,some now restored to their former magnificence. Cruise the Perfumed River (Huong River) or hire a bike and cycle through pretty gardens, past tranquil lakes, exploring the often architecturally elaborate and unique tombs of the Nguyen Kings – the last of Vietnam's dynastic rulers.

Don't miss the magnificent tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh or the striking Thien Mu Pagoda. Browse the Dong Xuan Market and check out the amazing multi-level Vinh Moc tunnels, which lie 20m below the ground. Located in Quang Tri Province deep in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the Vinh Moc tunnels sheltered around 60 families from American bombings.

Buon Me Thuot -Visit the largest town in the western highlands and hometoethnic minorities including the Ede, M'nong, Rhade and Jarai people.The town makes a great base for exploring ethnic villages and discovering the region's scenic beauty. Hike to villages such as Tuaand Ya Liao and enjoy a homestay with the M'nong. Ride elephants through the forest ofYok Don National Park to see impressive waterfalls at Dray Sap and caves at Dak Tua or paddle a dugout canoe across Lac Lake to visit other minority villages.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park-Take a guided eco-tour into this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a 200,000ha park of lush forest, dramatic limestone formations, grottoes and caves. The Park is located halfway between Hue and Vinh. Ride a sampan down the world's longest known under ground river (17km) inside the huge Phong Nha cave, the largest in Vietnam. Admire numerous fascinating rock formations, under ground passage ways and caverns lined with stalactites and stalagmites.

Nearly 8 km long and with 14 other caves nearby, the Phong Nha cave was used by the Northern Vietnamese Army as a hospital and ammunition depot during the American war. Nearby lies the Ho Chi Minh Trail and Road 20, used as supply routes by the North Vietnamese during the war.

Hoi An-Be captivated by this charming town, with its rich cultural heritage, beautifully preserved merchants 'houses, pagodas, ancientwells, tombs and slow pace of life. Savour Hoi An's mouth watering specialty dishes of shrimp pancake and cao lu, a dish of rice noodle stopped with slices of roast pork. Soak up the atmosphere in the Chinese-influenced Old Quarter, a World Heritage Site, take a cruise through the scenic Thu Bon River or cycle into the surrounding country side.

Take a day trip to nearby My Son and view the atmospheric Cham ruins – all that remain of the once-powerful Champa Kingdom. Examine carvings at Marble Mountain, a limestone out cropping among the rice paddies just 9km north of Hoi An or trek up to Huyen Khong Cave, a war time base for Vietcong guerrillas.

Relax on Cua Dai Beach, a 30km crescent of pristine white sand that stretches all the way up the coast to Danang or surf off Non Nuoc beach, known as China Beach by USGI's who surfed there while on R&R during the Vietnam War.

Nha Trang-Meander along this 6km-long beach, with its fabulous views of the South China Sea. Swim in the turquoise waters or take a day trip off shore and snorkel or scuba dive the emerald waters of the out lying islands, teeming with coral and colourful shoals of fish. Or pamper your body with a soothing mud bath at the nearby Thap Ba Hot Springs,explore the charming town on a cycle and later savour a culinary treat at one of many seafood restaurants.

DaLat-Known as ‘the Eternal Spring City', Da Lat is a popular hillside retreat in the Central Highlands, renowned for its temperate climate. Explore the beautiful countryside of lakes, waterfalls, forests and gardens, surrounded by mountains, on foot, horseback, motor bike or bicycle. Trek to the near by ethnic villages of the Lat and the Koho people.

Get wet at the impressive Dambri waterfalls or go canyoning, kayaking, rock climbing and rappelling in the near by mountains. Browse the bustling Da Lat Market (Cho Da Lat), drive past crumbling colonial mansions in the French Quarter, wander through meditation halls in theTruc Lam (Bamboo Forest) Zen Monastery, stroll around the pretty Xuan Huong Lake, visit the Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace and spot happy honey mooners in the ‘Valley of Love'.

South Vietnam

HoChi Minh City -Formerly known as Saigon, Vietnam's largest city is a chaotic whirl of colourful sights, sounds and activities. Don't miss the elaborate wood carvings of gilded characters and local deities at the Emperor of Jade Pagoda. Visit the bustling markets of Cholon,located in the ancient Chinese quarter or the visitor-friendly Ben Thanh Market. See the Reunification Palace where, in 1975, tanks crashed through the gates of the Prime Minister's palace. At the War Remnants Museum – formerly called the Museum of American War Crimes–learn about the American War through a range of fascinating exhibits.

CuChi Tunnels -Head under ground into some of the 250km of tunnels that criss cross Cu Chi for an insight into the life of a Viet Cong guerilla during the American War. Located just across the Saigon River,the guerrilla base, known as the Iron Triangle, made it easy for roughly15,000 Viet Cong fighters to infiltrate Saigon at will,and successfully launch attacks against US forces.

Today, at Ben Din hand Ben Duoc, you can clamber down and through widened tunnels. Or, bent-over, squeeze through the dark, claustrophobic half- toone-metre wide original passage ways that lead to under ground hide outs,shelters and entrances to other tunnels. Don't worry – all lethal booby traps and trap doors have been removed! Exhibits show the horrors that American ‘tunnel rats' faced when trying to hunt the VC inside their own lair, as well as display the ingenuity of the Vietnamese when it came to protecting themselves.

Vinh Long -Located along the banks of the Mekong River, Vinh Long is a great base for exploring the many islands in the Mekong River and taking interesting boat trips into the Mekong Delta. Enjoy timeless river scenes, visit tropical fruit gardens and ancient pagodas and don't miss the colourful Cai Rang Floating Market, probably the most famous and the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. Watch the early morning rush of hundreds of boats packed with fruit, vegetables,plants and variousfoods. Or discover life along the riverbanks on a bicycle tour.

PhuQuoc Island-Discover some of Vietnam's most beautiful,palm-fringed,white-sand beaches on the country's largest off shore island, just 15km from Cambodia. Swim, dive or snorkel in the clear turquoise waters. Orrent a motorcycle to explore interior forests and far-flung beaches on both sides of the island, which are ideal for picnics, swimming,snorkelling or fishing.

Cat Tien National Park-Explore this amazing UNESCO biosphere reserve on foot, by mountain bike, jeep or by boat along the Dong Nai River. Take your binoculars and spot numerous bird species, including white-winged ducks, Siamese fire backs, great horn bills and black eagles. And from well-established hiking trails that meander through the low land tropical rainforests, look out for Javan rhinos, elephants, gaur, sunbears, yellow-cheeked gibbons, silvery langurs, crab-eating macaques as well as civets, mouse deer and tree shrews.

Ride the Reunification Express -Experience the journey as well as the destination on the Reunification Express as it puffs its way from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, passing through Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hué en route. With several trains and a range of carriages, you can choose your style of comfort for the 30-hour ride.

Best buys

Lacquer painting, embroidery, tailor-made ao dais and mother-of-pearl in layed ornaments are all great buys in Vietnam.

Best time to visit

The climate in Vietnam varies greatly from north to south. Typically the high lands are cooler than the low lands. Despite the range of latitudes(and altitudes) it's easy to find somewhere that's warm and sunny. Read on for more specific weather patterns …

The North:-Visit Hanoi from October to December for warm, sunny days. Northern Vietnam is dry from December to April and wet and hot from June to August. Summer averages 30C and winter (December through February) averages 16C.

The Central Highlands:-Best visited during the dry season from January to May along the coast. Hue is bestin spring, from February to late May. The wet season lasts from October to February.

The South: -The best time to visit tropical Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta is between December and April. The south is typically always hot. The wet season lasts from May to October,and while it's cooler from November to April, temperatures average 30C year round.