Vietnam: The ultimate travel guide

Anna Matheson discovers the best of Vietnam in an action-packed two-week trip. Check out her must-dos, must-sees and must-buys...

Fly into capital city Hanoi

The centre of Vietnam’s capital is steeped in a millennium’s worth of history, but it’s also its busiest district. The lively streets are dotted with ancient temples amongst the narrow buildings and filled with an overwhelming mishmash of street vendors, locals and tourists – as well as more scooters than you can imagine.

Must-eat: The city is renowned for its street food, but to find the hidden gems, you might need help. We booked ourselves onto a street food tour (www.hanoistreetfoodtour.com), which gave us a friendly introduction to the city’s best bites from classic noodle dishes like Bun Cha (rice noodles with grilled pork,) to Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwiches and egg coffee.

Trek in Sapa

An eight-hour overnight train ride from the capital, the beauty of Sapa is worthy of a detour. It was established in the early 1900s as a hill station by French colonists but today, its mountains and plunging valleys full of rice paddies are perfect for trekking.

Must-see: We booked a private guide through Sapa Sisters, a collective of local women from neighbouring Mung Hoa Valley. After opting for a tough climb that took us to the top of the valley, our hard work and sweat in the 30-degree heat was rewarded with panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery in almost total isolation from other hikers.

Cruise Ha Long Bay

No trip to Vietnam would be complete without taking in the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Set in north Eastern Vietnam and about four hours by bus from Hanoi, the best way to take in the serene emerald waters is by boat, so book yourself onto a cruise (www.thesinhtourist.vn) to sail through the thousands of towering limestone islands topped with rainforests.

Must-do: A two night cruise will take you further into the more peaceful (and less touristy) Lan Ha Bay and allow you enough time to stop on the largest island Cat Ba, where you can hike through the mountainous national park and stay one night in a cabin on the beach. Paradise.

Chill out in Hoi An

Next, we flew into Hoi An, just an hour’s hop from Hanoi. With its mix of decorative Vietnamese tube houses, vibrant French colonial buildings and Chinese shop houses and temples, Hoi An is bursting with history. But it’s also a cosmopolitan destination when it comes to its gourmet restaurants, coffee houses and lounge bars. We spent most of our few days in this beautiful old town sipping Vietnamese drip coffee and watching the world go by.

Must-buy: Take advantage of the expert local tailors and get yourself a bespoke outfit made at a fraction of the price you’d pay in the UK. I had a beautiful dress made by Peace Tailors in the Ancient Town and will think of my trip each time I wear it.

Discover Vietnam’s history in Ho Chi Minh city

Once known as Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city is an hour’s flight from Danang on Hoi An. It played a major role in the wars and remains the place to discover the country’s rich history. Sure, the city has a more Western feel, with plenty of chic brunch spots and restaurants on offer but with only a couple of days to spare, we focused on seeing the sights.

Must-see: The War Remnants Museum gives an essential yet sobering look at the brutalities of the war and its effect on the Vietnamese people, while a little way out of the city are the Cu Chi tunnels, where you can take a look into some of the 250km of secret tunnels used throughout the conflict. For some retail relief, stop by Benh Thanh Market to stock up on trinkets to take home.

Relax on Phu Quoc Island

After travelling all over the country via plane, train and boat, a few days of sun, sea and relaxation was just what the doctor ordered.

Located in the gulf of Thailand, an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh, Phu Quoc island is still largely undiscovered and covered in dense greenery but luxury hotels are popping up amidst the jungle. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa (pictured below) is by far the most tranquil of the hotels on offer, as the five-star retreat is nestled in one of the island’s southern bays near the beautiful Sao Cao beach – and only 15 minutes from the airport.

Every suite offers a stunning view of that deliciously blue sea and whether you want to paddle board on the private beach, recline by one of the three pools or be pampered in the spa, there’s something for everyone.

Must-eat: With five gourmet restaurants, there is plenty of food on offer, but our favourite spot was by far Red Rum – a romantic veranda style restaurant set by the beach serving fresh meat and delicious seafood. A trip to the main town, Duong Dong, for local seafood in the night market is also a must.

Images: Krishna Adithya Prajogo / Bensley