One of the most beautiful and unspoilt countries in Asia, Vietnam is a land of paddy fields ancient monuments, mountainous jungle, stunning coastline and chaotic cities.

My Vietnam

For many, Vietnam conjures up images of American wartime films, conical hats, rice paddies and the romance of a bygone colonial era, as documented in the film Indochine. While this imagery is indeed strongly redolent of the destination, the reality of Vietnam far surpasses the popular imagination. Geographically it boasts an unspoilt 2,000 mile sandy coastline, mountainous regions populated by ethnic minorities (there are 54 ethnic groups), the fertile Delta region of the south and rolling hills of dense jungle. Its history is the stuff of legend, with centuries of occupations, heroic struggles and influences ranging from a thousand years of Chinese rule, to the still-evident French-colonial period which endowed Vietnam with elegant streetscapes and the best bread and cafes in Asia.

The northern capital Hanoi is an attractive city characterised by tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture and parks. Its history dates back almost a thousand years but most of what lingers today is a result of the more recent French colonial era. The Old Quarter is a vibrant warren of narrow streets packed with market stalls and shops where visitors can lose themselves for a few hours. Three hours' drive east is Halong Bay - home to spectacular karst peaks and islands rising from an emerald green sea. A day's cruising amongst the boats and caves of this region is a must.

Central Vietnam combines historical Hué, arguably the most beautiful city in Vietnam, with opportunities for relaxation on white beaches while nearby, in the relaxed riverside town of Hoi An, visitors can stroll and cycle free from traffic. Further south is Vietnam's top beach resort, Nha Trang, and just three hours north of Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) is the quiet beach resort of Phan Thiet. The pace picks up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city. Here you'll find great bars and restaurants as well as the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum and nearby Cu Chi Tunnels - an impressive labyrinth of tunnels, trap doors and booby traps used by the Viet Cong.

Relatively new to international tourism, off-the-beaten-track Vietnam still has a way to go in terms of hotel accommodation and facilities. But what it does offer is a genuine welcome coupled with the chance to explore a corner of the Far East that remains relatively untouched by tourism. Savour the opportunity to discover a country that has quietly emerged from the shadows, before it changes forever.

by Steve Johnson, Head of Travelmood Land Product