Good for city breaks

Whether you fly into cultured Ha Noi in the North or energetic Ho Chi Minh City in the South, or whether you bypass these two megacities for the laid-back beaches of tropical Phu Quoc, here are top cities must-see:

1. Phu Quoc: Considered as the best for beach lovers, Phu Quoc Island City is lapped by jewel-blue waters and edged by fine sandy beaches. When the sun goes down, a cocktail in hand to enjoy the amber.

Hon Mot, Phu Quoc (Photo: Collection)

2. Ha Noi: The best city for city slickers. Ha Noi is Vietnam's historic capital. The city offers easy infrastructure, inexpensive accommodation, world-class dining and more history to take in. Ha Noi is also the leaping-off point for the islands and outcrops around Halong Bay and the forest-draped trails of the mountainous northwest. Don’t forget to graze through Vietnam's catalogue of street food treats and cafes in the Old Quarter.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Ha Noi (Photo: Collection)

3. Ho Chi Minh City: the best for a sense of the past when you can learn more about this heroic period at sites such as the War Remnants Museum, the buildings of French Indochina architecture, the city's colonial-era landmarks,...

Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Collection)

4. Hoi An: A stay in harmonious Hoi An is a journey of history. Passing through Vietnam’s lavish and layered past. Serving as a trading port from the 15th to the 19th century where traders from as far afield as Japan, Spain and North America came to do their commercial activities, are now packing with teetering shophouses, tea warehouses, fanciful covered bridges, elaborate Chinese guildhalls, and colourful Confucian and Buddhist pagodas.

Hoi An Ancient Town (Photo: Collection)

5. Hue: Tracing back for imperial history. The city was home to the former Nguyen dynasty. The grandeur of dynastic Vietnam lives on in the Citadel and Imperial Enclosure, housing the emperor's residence, temples, palaces and court. At night, free your souls along the Perfume River or enjoy Hue's imperial cuisine, try a spicy bowl of bun bo Hue (vermicelli noodle soup) or a crispy banh khoai pancake are the best.

Truong Tien Bridge, Hue (Photo: Collection)

Charming bays for iconic photos

6. Ha Long Bay - UNESCO’s World Heritage site is way touristy. Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are a bit more laid-back. Cruising, kayaking or exploring the tropical trails on Cat Ba Island or lying on the sand on Bai Tu Long's idyllic Co To Island, quite so many in your photo album.

Ha Long Bay (Photo: Collection)

The north central province for unique experiences

7. The remarkable Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and contains the oldest karst mountains in Asia which were formed approximately 400 million years ago. The caves are the region's absolute highlights, although the above-ground attractions of forest trekking, the area's war history, and rural mountain biking means that the park has enough going on to warrant stays of up to three days. Son Doong Cave, the largest cavern in the world followed by Tu Lan Cave and Paradise Cave. Lonely Planet stressed that more than 100 types of mammals; 10 species of primate, tigers, elephants, and the saola; a rare Asian antelope; 81 types of reptile and amphibian; and more than 300 varieties of bird have been logged in Phong Nha - Ke Bang.

Son Doong Cave (Photo: Collection)

The Central beaches for sun-seekers

8. Da Nang, Nha Trang, where visitors can fine the calmer beaches along the coast, where a little of Vietnam's old seaside charm still endures. Mui Ne offers the best beaches with a string of sandy coves, lively kitesurfing, and seafood. For a quiteter atmosphere, hit the coast between Hue and Danang - Thuan An, to a string of serene and sandy beaches flanking a lagoon-backed barrier island.

My Khe Beach, Da Nang (Photo: Collection)

Nha Trang Beach (Photo: Collection)

9. Ba Be National Park, one in some 30 national parks of Vietnam to spot wildlife, for lake and forest scenery. Then trailing weave between the limestone peaks to Hmong, Tay and Dzao villages, and boat and kayak trips cross serene lakes hemmed in by forested ridges, creating scenes worthy of a medieval woodcut.

Ba Be National Park (Photo: Collection)

10. Ha Giang for mountain views. Trekking to the minority villages in the hills around Sapa, staying in simple village homestays, visitors can hike out to minority villages and rice terraces tucked between the soaring limestone peaks, and motor (or pedal) over some of Vietnam's most spectacular passes.

Lung Cu Flagpole, Ha Giang (Photo: Collection)

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