Complex history and glorious architecture are on display everywhere in this diverse country. Wander through the lantern-strung alleys of Hoi An, taking in the wooden-fronted merchant houses and sampling delicious banh mi. In Ho Chi Minh City, museums preserve the legacy of past wars and wide boulevards recall the French Colonial period. Come with us to Vietnam, a dazzling treat for all your senses where the pho is plentiful and the streets never sleep.
As the Mekong winds its way along the length of Vietnam, life flourishes by its banks. Endless paddy fields tended to by cone-hatted farmers and vibrant floating markets give way to terraced hills inhabited by hill tribes and the limestone rock-studded waters of Halong Bay. Vietnam is a dichotomous land of fantastic natural landscapes and fast-paced cities. Beautiful mountain hikes and junk boat cruises take you close to nature and offer a glimpse at the country’s serene side. A cycle rickshaw tour through the motorcycle-filled streets of Hanoi introduces visitors to Vietnam’s frenetic pace of life, where cafes are filled with the aroma of egg coffee and the Old Town’s charming lanes are busy with pedestrians late into the night.
Complex history and glorious architecture are on display everywhere in this diverse country. Wander through the lantern-strung alleys of Hoi An, taking in the wooden-fronted merchant houses and sampling delicious banh mi. In Ho Chi Minh City, museums preserve the legacy of past wars and wide boulevards recall the French Colonial period. Come with us to Vietnam, a dazzling treat for all your senses where the pho is plentiful and the streets never sleep.
Shop for ingredients in Hue’s Dong Ba fresh market and then join a local chef at her traditional garden house. Learn the secrets behind Hue’s royal cuisine as you prepare a meal fit for kings. You’ll learn to make traditional Hue recipes and hear stories of the royal court using delicious Vietnamese ingredients.
North Vietnam’s countryside is a pristine landscape of lush mountain villages punctuated by rice terraces. Vast green fields are carved into the mountainside, creating a postcard-perfect setting perfect for relaxed walks or long mountain bike rides. Meet local hill tribes and get a glimpse of their agricultural lifestyle as they tend to their fields high up in the mountains.
Hoi An’s atmospheric lanes are festooned with brightly coloured lanterns round the year. During the festival, candles are lit inside these beautiful lanterns and then immersed in the Thu Bon river to bring good luck and prosperity. The city lights are then turned off, and the light from hundreds of lanterns lights up the Old Town, creating a wonderfully romantic setting.
Cradled between low hills, Nha Trang’s salt flats are a beautiful landscape of shimmering white plains, tended to by cone-hatted women harvesting salt. The area is particularly beautiful in the light of the early morning sun, when the golden rays reflect off the white salt mounds.
In Hoi An, the Cam Thanh village is known for its beautiful water coconut palm trees that grow in soft mud around mangroves. The basket boat was traditionally a handwoven, round fishing boat made to navigate the narrow water channels, and today, it offers a unique experience to visitors. Glide along the palm-lined waters of the Cua Dai River led by an expert skipper, taking in the serene landscape.
A 200-year-old tradition in Hue, kite making and flying is an integral part of Hue’s culture. Each kite is an intricately handmade work of art, made to fly in the sky and also to decorate your home. An hour-long session with a master kite artisan will teach you how to craft your own piece of flying art, and also introduce you to the stories of these skilled craftsmen.
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