The Central Coast

The great imperial city of Hue offers many undiscovered gems,

such as a village on the outskirts of town where traditional artisans

produce embroidery, ceramics, wood-carvings, and an assortment of central-

Vietnamese handicrafts. Depending on how much time you have, perhaps you’d like to visit Hue’s Imperial tombs, cruise the Perfume River, cycle to an orphanage run by Buddhist nuns, or take a day trip into the former DMZ. Driving south to the Danang and Hoi An area will allow you to climb from sea level to over 5,000 feet into Bach Ma National Park. From there you’ll travel along 5-Star Boulevard or, depending on your time, you can take the old road over “Pass of the Clouds” and stop for some locally brewed “fresh beer.” The ancient trading port of Hoi An is a bike-friendly UNESCO World Heritage town just south of modern Danang. Nearby sites include former R&R hotspot China Beach, the Marble Mountains, the Cham ruins at My Son, and lots of restaurants, galleries, and even custom tailors and sandal-makers. Consider visiting during the 14th day of the lunar month for the Hoi An Lantern Festival!

Nha Trang & Dalat

The transparent turquoise water, the abundance of offshore islands, and the old-world charm of colonial-era hotels and villas that line Nha Trang Bay make this one of Vietnam’s nicest beach destinations. During your stay, snorkeling, fishing, and other activities can all be arranged locally. Further inland lies one of the most popular honeymoon spots in Vietnam. Dalat is a 2.5 hour drive from sea level to over 4,000 feet into the cool Aniniate Mountains. At points along this splendid road, views of the plains as far as the blue Pacific can be had. Also known as “Le Petit Paris” and “The City of Love,” Dalat lies in a uniquely temperate zone compared to coastal Vietnam - a higher altitude area filled with forests, lakes, and waterfalls.

Saigon & The Mekong Delta

If you only had a day, a short walking tour would take you past some of Old Saigon’s most notable landmarks, including the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Central Post Office, the Reunification Conference Hall, and the former Republic of South Vietnam palace. At night, when Old Saigon really comes alive, try dining at one of the great restaurants along historic Rue Catinat, or perhaps take in a drink at the rooftop bar of The Rex, wartime gathering place, and a taste of Graham Greene’s Vietnam. Given more time, the next day we’ll visit Cholon, the old Chinese district of the city, which holds galleries and the sprawling Cholon Market. We can also leave Saigon altogether to visit the famed Cu Chi Tunnels or the delta town of Tay Ninh, with its famous Great Temple of the Cao Dai sect. Further exploration into the delta will allow you to experience southern towns like My Tho and Can Tho, where locals sell fresh produce from boats along the Mekong. Or for the truly adventurous, try a speeedboat up to Chau Doc and then into Cambodia.