Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum
For one of the most bizarre morning you'll ever spend, join the (lengthy) queues to see the embalmed body of Vietnam's national hero: Ho Chi Minh, who led the country's resistance forces and declared independence in 1954. A truly surreal museum is worth looking at too.  

The imperial city of Hué
Hué, the former capital of the emperors of Vietnam, and the remains of the Imperial Citadel (largely destroyed during the Tet offensive in 1968) are unforgettable for history buffs. Tour the nearby mausoleums of several of Vietnam's emperors, including Khai Dinh and Tu Duc, each unique in style

Halong Bay
This world famous site is made up of 3,000 limestone islands rising out of the South China Sea. The area is strange, eerie and very beautiful. Many of the islands contain bizarre cave formations and grottoes.

Sapa
The highlands, a day's train ride north of Hanoi, is home to several hill tribes whose way of life has changed very little. The residents still wear colourful traditional costumes and offer an insight into a bygone time. 

Hanoi
The thrilling capital of Hanoi that retains an air of French colonial elegance (through the fug of moped fumes) has pretty yellow stucco buildings lining leafy streets. Wander round the Old Quarter, a fascinating maze of quirky shops, lively markets and French-style cafés.

Dalat
To escape the heat of the plains, head for Dalat, a former colonial hill station, reminiscent of a French town, with faded, elegant villas evocative of another era. The romantic lakes and alpine scenery are magnets for Vietnamese honeymooners.

Ho Chi Minh City
Savour the hustle and bustle of life on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, with tiny temples and faded French colonial buildings overshadowed by gleaming high rises. Visit the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum to learn about the realities of war. 

Cao Dai Temple
Attend the midday service at the unique Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh. En route, scramble through the tunnels at Cu Chi, from where the Viet Cong successfully launched attacks against US forces. 

River markets
The river markets on the Mekong Delta, are an unmissable sight. Life here is dominated by the mighty Mekong and much of Vietnam's rice crop is grow, and the floating markets are still an essential part of life in the south.

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