Frenetic, vibrant and constantly re-inventing itself, you can't help but adore Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Wandering the streets gives you a taste of what life in Vietnam is all about; the wafting aromas of chilli and garlic from street hawker stalls, the cries of peddlers touting fake Ralph Lauren and the constant rush of the city, are the modern layers of a long and fascinating urban history, epitomised by the Jade Emperor Pagoda.
Just outside the city you'll find Cu Chi tunnels, the network of underground passages, dug by the Viet Minh and extended by the Viet Cong, which run several storeys deep in places.
Neatly divided into North and South, Vietnam has emerged from its battle-scarred past to become one of the premier tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. The diverse culture and landscapes have made it a repeat destination for many travellers.
The capital, Hanoi, retains a nostalgically faded French colonial elegance, and is also possibly the most laidback of Vietnam's main cities.
Hué is the old capital of Vietnam and has its own charm. Hang out on the beach at Da Nang: and you'll come across some of the GIs who found Vietnam to be too charming to ever leave.
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