Hoi Aan is one of the most tourist-focused cities in Vietnam, and with good reason because, in addition to its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city has everything to attract tourists: charming restaurants and narrow streets, exceptional local cuisine, and idyllic beaches. Hoi An will also charm lovers of ancient ruins, who will enjoy discovering the remains of the Cham city of My Son.

Fall under the spell of Hoi An and the surrounding area

Dien Bien Phu is the capital of the province with the same name. It was the location of a battle which took place in Tonkin from 20 November 1953 to 7 May 1954 against the French Union forces. It is considered to be the place of victory for national liberation.

Dien Bien Phu and its history

The town of Sapa is located at the summit of a hill, at 1,600 metres of altitude. It is surrounded by beautiful scenery and sits above the Muong Hoa valley, where it is dominated by the famous Fansipan at 3,143 metres. An obligatory stopover during your tour of Vietnam.

Sapa and its surroundings

I'd like to give an insight into&nbsp;Hué, a tourist town that was once an imperial city and is famous throughout the country for its food! But what tourists often don't realise is that there are numerous wonderful sites just a few kilometres from this town that are seldom visited but are nonetheless authentic and magnificent&nbsp;

Hué and the riches of its surroundings

Asia

Someone talks about Vietnam and you automatically think of spring rolls, pointed hats or shoulder yokes, those large sections of bamboo and their two suspended woven baskets. Our collective imagination has been flooded with these images... But do they correspond to the current reality of Vietnam? Even if they are not all representative of life in the cities, they still subsist in the countryside... However, Vietnam cannot be summarized by these few clichés. Its people have come far with a particularly turbulent 21st century. The country is now decidedly turned towards the future: Vietnam changes and evolves. The former children of the “boat-people” are returning to Saigon to fulfil their dreams and seek success. Hanoi has opened superb art galleries... For many, Vietnam consists of mountains and plateaus, Vietnam is marked by two major waterways, the Red River to the north, and the mother of all rivers, the Mekong to the south. Between equatorial plains, temperate plateaus and high summits, you will be awestruck by the tender green rice paddies, the canyons of Red River and the superb Mekong Delta.... And if beyond its people and nature you still need a reason to visit Vietnam, let’s mention gastronomy! Vietnamese cooking is one of the most renowned worldwide, light and refined by the same token: spring rolls of course, but also Pho, Cha cà, Oc nhoi and other delicious meals...

Vietnam

Lào Cai

Bac Ha is a village in northern Vietnam, a quiet and peaceful village except on Sunday mornings, which is market day, attracting all the ethnic minorities to the area.

Bắc Hà

Sapa

Vallée Muong Hoa

Off the classic tourist trail, Bai Tu Long Bay is an extension of Ha Long Bay.

Vịnh Bái Tử Long

Kazakhstan

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

Three years ago I went on a <a href="/vietnam/">typical cruise around Ha Long Bay</a>. Great scenery, but it was too noisy and busy with boats. This time around I headed to Bai Tu Long Bay. First stroke of luck was being with a fun group and a trilingual guide with a wicked sense of humour! Secondly, we went out on the perfect day. The sun shone, reflecting off emerald green water. Thirdly, mass tourism has not yet got its claws into the area. The panoramic view at the cave entrance is grandiose. Time stops still, as you sit back and watch large junkboats cross the horizon. Our kayak trip was a fun-filled moment of laughter and jokes. If there's a downside, it was the 'staged' feel of the pearl farm visit, but it's still far cry from the 'Disneyland-style' tackiness of Ha Long's 'Surprise Cave'.

Off the classic tourist trail, Bai Tu Long Bay is an extension of Ha Long Bay.

Vịnh Bái Tử Long Vacations

Vịnh Bái Tử Long: How to get there?

Vịnh Bái Tử Long: See when to go ?

Vịnh Bái Tử Long: For how long?

Vịnh Bái Tử Long: What to see nearby?

Vietnam: our articles for your vacations