Vietnam

From Hanoi, Ninh Binh provides a complete change of pace.

We explored the countryside by bicycle and boat, surrounded by rice fields and dramatic limestone scenery.

We still remember seeing rice spread directly across the tarmac to dry and visiting temples and shrines tucked amongst the rocks.

It felt rural, authentic and wonderfully different from the cities.

Boat journeys around places such as Tam Coc and Trang An offer ways to appreciate the landscape from the water, while cycling can bring you closer to the smaller roads and fields. The right balance depends on your interests and the conditions.

We would allow time to enjoy the setting rather than concentrating every activity into a short visit. A comfortable countryside base can make the stay feel like a distinct part of the holiday, with a different rhythm from Hanoi.

Then there’s Halong Bay.

Sailing between its limestone islands is one of Vietnam’s iconic experiences, but we’d strongly recommend considering a two-night cruise rather than one.

We did two nights ourselves and felt it allowed us to properly experience the bay rather than arriving, sleeping and almost immediately leaving again.

Sometimes an extra night completely changes the pace of a journey.

Look at the complete cruise programme, including transfers, time on board and the outings offered. The vessel and route both influence the experience, so an extra night should be considered alongside how the days are organised.

We would also allow space around the journey to and from the bay. A sensible connection with your previous and next base helps this part of the holiday feel restful, rather than another hurried move between destinations.

Ho Chi Minh City has a completely different energy again.

It’s fast, modern and exciting, but its history is always present.

We visited the Independence Palace, explored the city and joined a street-food experience that became one of our favourite ways of understanding it.

There were local brew houses along the way too, including some rather potent double and triple brews.

For us, food tours work particularly well in Vietnam because they take you into places you might never discover on your own.

We also visited the Cu Chi Tunnels.

It’s a fascinating but confronting experience and an important reminder that Vietnam’s relatively recent history is complex and, at times, extremely difficult.

It isn’t necessarily a light sightseeing day, but it adds enormously to understanding the country.

Balance those visits with time for modern city life and relaxed evenings.

Vietnam doesn’t have to be sightseeing from beginning to end.

Phillip has also travelled to Phu Quoc, which gives you the option of finishing a busier touring itinerary with some proper beach time.

That can work particularly well after travelling from north to south.

After Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, there’s nothing wrong with deciding that the final few days should involve a lovely hotel, a pool and considerably less sightseeing.

Choose the hotel around the kind of final stay you want. Some travellers will value a setting where they can spend most of the time at the resort, while others will want opportunities to go out.

Allow enough nights to make the additional journey worthwhile, with the season and onward flight arrangements considered alongside the appeal of the beach itself.