If you are looking to experience Vietnam but you don’t have the time to explore the country in full, then don’t worry. Vietnam offers a huge contrast you could spend months scaling the country and still feel as if you have not covered enough. This is partly due to Vietnam’s countryside which ranges from the very mountainous in the north, central highlands mid-way through Vietnam, over 1,000km of coastal scenery and the winding Mekong Delta to the county’s south and so much more. This does not include the contrasting cultures, its deep and fascinating history and Vietnam’s current race toward modernity and aspirations to become one of Asia’s great powers. To help get you started and to help you identify where your time may be spent then why not take a look at a few must-sees below!

Firstly a few of the basics. Some of the best months to visit Vietnam are between October and March, this is when most of Vietnam experiences a relatively dry season and is when temperatures are at their most temperate. However, as Vietnam is over 1,000km in length temperatures can vary wildly. As a general rule of thumb temperatures are traditionally cooler in the North and warmer in the South with Central Vietnam often experiencing dryer conditions year-round. You can see some more detailed information on temperatures on Vietnam here.

However, if you can stand the heat (upwards of 30 degrees across the country) and you are looking to avoid the crowds then travelling in the “off-season” will give you the opportunity to see Vietnam in quieter and delightfully more tranquil surroundings. Almost all Vietnam tours will have itineraries around these seasons or will offer tailor made solutions to cater for specific dates, budgets and ideas. As well as avoiding most of the crowds travelling during this period also provides some of the best scenery as Vietnam’s rainforests, rice paddies and gardens burst into bloom.

Mekong Delta:

Although this region tends to experience more rainfall (and the occasional thunder storm) in the summer months of April to August, it is a part of Vietnam that can and should be visited year round. Most tours to Vietnam will include a day tour to the port of My Tho. Although a lovely spot from which to enjoy the Mekong Delta it tends to be incredibly busy throughout the year with hordes of tourists descending on one particular stretch of the Mekong Delta. This is due to its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City a private car or coach excursion will normally take around 1 hour 30 mins. However, adding an extra 1 hour to your journey can deliver you to quieter, more remote and peaceful ports such as small town of Ben Tre. This very small port can be easily access by road and the day excursions will often include visits to traditional brick kilns as well as small home-stay style restaurants. Private arrangements can be made on smaller, more intimate vessels that carry you through some of the Mekong’s small tributaries. These shorter cruises often take you past small villages and communities that have been established for hundreds of years and are rarely visited by tourists, making for a truly authentic Vietnamese experience.

Hoi An

Although Hue to the South of Vietnam (around a three hour drive over the iconic Hi Van pass) is also a delectable city, Hoi An is Central Vietnam’s number one attraction – and justly so. A UNESCO world heritage site the city boasts some truly unique architecture which is primarily due to the city’s long history as a port town welcoming traders from Japan, China, France and beyond. Hoi An’s streets are resplendent with French buildings from the colonial era as well as Japanese trading houses that are still inhabited by the direct decedents of early traders. Indeed, many of the city’s inhabitants offer tours of their homes including a detailed history of life in Hoi An, both historical and contemporary. One of Hoi An’s key attractions is the Japanese bridge that connects two halves of the city over a small river (built around 1593) and is a must for an travellers check-list. To get good unspoiled views of the bridge, and for Hoi An in general, than an early rise is recommended. Furthermore, with many of Hoi An’s hotels being centrally located then you can be strolling the dawn streets of Hoi An in no time.

Activities in Hoi An can include visiting some of the towns renowned tailors; taking in one of the many cooking classes that specialise in region cuisine ($20-$50 per class); enjoying a short river cruise ($10-$20) or sampling some of the many street cafe’s which serve many European style cakes and drinks as well as Vietnam’s rich and dark coffee. When in Hoi An a recommended restaurant is Mango Mango. Located just opposite the Japanese Bridge the restaurants proprietor employs and trains local apprentices and offers a stunning menu which offers a fusion of Vietnamese and Western cuisine, alongside some of the best views of Hoi An. As well as Mango Mango, this region of the city (the waterfront) offers a variety of restaurants that specialise in Western and Vietnamese dishes as well as many local beers! At night your time cannot be misspent wandering the streets taking in the river which is illuminated by a flotilla floating ornaments and coloured lights.

Flying to Hoi An (the airport is actually located in Da Nang) takes around 1 hour 45 minutes and can also be reached by bus which takes anywhere between 12 and 16 hours. Some Vietnam tours will terminate here and connecting flights to Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are readily available.

Hanoi and Halong Bay:

Due to their proximity, Hanoi and Halong Bay are too close to miss. After a 1:45 minute flight from Da Nang you will arrive into Hanoi. A city that is fast expanding but still retains character and small city charm. If staying, the best place to aim for is the city’s old quarter, or as close to it as you can get. A centrally located hotel is the Maison De Hanoi Hanover which offers compact but boutique style rooms and a good level of service. Hanoi’s sights include Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, the Hanoi Hilton (prison in which John McCain was housed during the American/Vietnam war) as well as The Hanoi War Museum and the West Lake. All of these sights are accessible via taxi, or by foot. Cyclo’s – a traditional form of transport – are all but banned from the city and Motorbike transport is unsafe and not advised. As ever, be sure to check to taxi is officially registered and metered!

Sightseeing aside, Hanoi offers some incredible restaurants in which you can enjoy a meal from $5 per person and favourite amongst conventional tourists and backpackers is the ‘fresh beer’ costing around $0.20 a glass! No Vietnam tour is complete without a fresh beer. Fresh beer is typically served on street corners (immediately next to bustling city roads) and enjoyed in small plastic chairs with locals and tourists alike.

Halong Bay – another of Vietnam’s World Heritage sites – is just a three hour drive from Hanoi. Most bus trips take place during the day and, due to the nature of the road, night-drives are not advised. Popularised by the French film Indochine Halong Bay is breathtaking. Views of the bay can be enjoyed throughout the area (including Halong city) and good accommodation can be sought out in Halong city itself. Overnight options on the bay are available as are the day excursions. Be sure to ensure the boats carry safety certificates and the appropriate paperwork! Aside from the bay Halong Town does not offer much else in the way of entertainment so a couple of days and an overnight stay is normally sufficient. Eating out in Halong City is a mixed affair and the choice for western food is not huge. However, there are a number of small seafood restaurants on the bay and, although hotels are not normally the best option for food, the Halong Plaza is a popular option!

With all Vietnam tours, research widely and be sure to book with an established tour operator.

TravelReflex’s Writer: this article was written by kian.