Vietnam's alluring capital rests on the banks of the Red River and retains the charm of a provincial city. Vietnam's understated capital, Hanoi's elegance and charm is reflected in the city’s French colonial buildings, bustling Old Quarter and tree-lined boulevards. The gateway to the hilltribes of Sapa and the beauty of Halong Bay, Hanoi is an unmissable Vietnam destination.

A city tour visits the imposing mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, whose stilt house and museum are held in special reverence by the Vietnamese, the Museum of Ethnology vividly illustrating the country’s many minority tribes and the wonderful ninth-century sculptures at the Fine Art Museum. However, many of Hanoi’s greatest sights are smaller: temples and pagodas clustered round the 36 narrow streets of the Old Quarter, wedding photographers working in the city parks, and busy market scenes.

Fly from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Formerly the southern capital of Vietnam known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is an intriguing mix of Indochina's ancient world and Asia's modern future. Bicycle-filled streets and bustling local markets add to this city's atmosphere, while visitors can indulge in the fragrant cuisine and fascinating historical sites. If you are having a holiday in Vietnam, not to be missed are the intricate Cu Chi tunnels and the nearby waterways of the Mekong Delta region.

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc

An underpopulated island archipelago tucked in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is, literally, paradise in the making. It is a vast natural laboratory where the mighty annual monsoon shapes the coastline, makes waterfalls gush, rivers overflow and cleanses the land. Its supercharged splendour seems designed to remind visitors of its utter significance in the greater scheme of things. And it works a treat; some clean crisp ocean air, green flora, an eyeful of the cinematic island landscapes, and everyone is transfixed.

Fly from Phu Quoc to the UK