Asia Brochure 2023

64 Vietnam

65 Vietnam

Although the North and South have been one unified country since 1975, they still have their differences. Renowned for its bustling street life and colonial architecture, Vietnam’s lively capital is a medley of scooters, street food stalls, and bright lights. And yet, across the city, you’ll find little pockets of calm and tranquillity. Visit the Temple of Literature, where you can stroll around peaceful courtyards, altars, and ponds. Hoan Kiem Lake should also be on your to-do list. How about walking over the bright red bridge to reach Ngoc Son Temple? Which is perched on a pretty island in the middle of the lake. HA LONG BAY Vietnam has eight UNESCO sites, but Ha Long Bay is the most famous. Filled with culture and covering 600 square miles, this vast bay has nearly 2,000 islands. You can go on a day trip from Hanoi, but we’d recommend a dream-worthy overnight cruise if you’d like more time. Sail between the islands, kayak through hidden caverns, and swim in the turquoise waters. You’ll see tiny floating villages surrounded by little fishing boats, not to mention the pretty limestone mountains formed over a thousand years ago! 2 THE 5 H’S OF VIETNAM Vietnam is a country of contrasts, where energetic cities and lantern-lit towns mingle with sleepy beaches and limestone islands. To get the most out of your trip, we’d recommend the five H’s. HANOI 1

HUE Halfway down Vietnam’s lengthy coastline, Hue – pronounced “whey” – was the country’s capital between 1802 and 1945 and is home to a collection of impressive landmarks. You may not know, though, that Hue contains over 100 major pagodas, palaces, temples, and tombs. So there’s plenty to see. The ornate Thien Mu Pagoda is a wonder to behold, while the grand interior of the Tomb of Khai Dinh is a must see. But the UNESCO-recognised Imperial City will surely be the highlight, where age-old walls encircle a cluster of temples and palaces. 3 HOI AN Picturesque Hoi An is the poster child of Vietnam and claims to have the third oldest Chinatown in the world! Once a major port, this intriguing destination boasts a range of architecture, including Chinese temples, traditional Japanese merchant houses, an 18th century bridge, and canary-coloured buildings. There are lots of great snorkelling spots within easy reach, too. But Hoi An’s real charm emerges after dark when hundreds of multi-coloured lanterns give the town a magical, romantic feel. 4 HO CHI MINH CITY Few cities in Southeast Asia are as interesting as Ho Chi Minh. Formerly known as Saigon, this time-stamped city has echoes of the past around every corner. Immerse yourself in the poignant exhibits at the War Remnants Museum. Crawl through the famous Cu Chi Tunnels – an underground network dug by Viet Cong guerrilla soldiers during the Vietnam War, and admire the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, built by French colonists in 1880. Ho Chi Minh City is an experience like no other. 5

HONG KONG

1 2

HA LONG BAY

Laos

HANOI

3

HUE

4

Thailand

HOI AN

PHILIPPINES

VIETNAM

Cambodia

5

HO CHI MINH CITY

Malaysia

Singapore

Ready to say ‘hello’ to Vietnam?

INDONESIA

Best time to go Between November and April is the best time to visit Vietnam’s five H’s, but the weather depends on the region you visit.

Best time to go Between November and April is the best time to visit Vietnam’s five H’s, but the weather depends on the region you visit.

HA LONG BAY