6 Reasons To Visit Vietnam

Still known by many as Saigon, recently named Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s economic heart and largest city. In the south of the country, this busy and vibrant metropolis still retains old-world charm behind its high-rise buildings and frenetic pace, and it’s worth spending a couple of days here. The best way to see the sights is on the back of a Vespa (with a guide) but you need to be quite brave. This way you’ll experience the smaller side streets, food markets and street vendors that are easy to miss on most city tours. Also worth visiting are some of the historical buildings – these include Notre Dame Cathedral which was built by the French between 1863 and 1880; the Reunification Palace, once the presidential palace where 30 years of war ended on 30th April 1975 and one of the most significant historical sites in Vietnam; and the Archbishop’s Palace, one of the most iconic and oldest colonial buildings. If time allows, take a private speedboat up the Saigon River to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground tunnels dug by the Viet Cong during the war which allowed them to move undetected and carry out guerrilla attacks. Another day trip worth doing from the city is a cruise trip up the Mekong Delta to experience a glimpse of rural life.

Where To Stay:  Right in the middle of the city, art-filled, boutique Hôtel des Arts Saigon combines French colonial and contemporary Vietnam – rooms are elegant and airy, and there’s an award-winning spa, a rooftop pool with great views and an excellent restaurant. If you want to escape the city, An Lam Retreats Saigon River is a 25-minute boat ride from the busy centre. Relax in this shaded tropical haven which has 35 villas and suites spread across lush gardens, a fabulous spa and a swimming pool.

With some lovely historic cities to visit, stunning beaches, national parks and tea and coffee plantations, central Vietnam is a great one-stop holiday if you’re keen to stay put in one area. The best place to base yourself is on the shores of Ninh Van Bay from where you can head on a guided Vespa trip to the banks of the Perfume River and the city of Hue, a Unesco World Heritage site, and the national capital between 1802 and 1945. Also worth visiting further south is the charming Unesco-protected town of Hoi An – expect a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and French architecture and great food. For an escape from the heat, head to Da Lat in the low mountains – built as summer retreat for the French colonials, today its lakes, waterfalls and hiking trails pull in the tourists.

Where To Stay: For the ultimate luxe experience, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay sits on a dramatic bay looking out to the East Vietnam Sea. Only accessible by water and with impressive rock formations, a white sand beach and a backdrop of towering mountains, the resort has 62 pool villas, located on the beach, over the water, between the rocks or on a mountain slope, all with panoramic views of the ocean. Several bars and restaurants offer local and international specialties, with lobster, king prawn and fish straight from the sea. The spa is a real sanctuary with a menu of traditional Vietnamese therapies, Six Senses signature treatments and customised detox programmes. You’ll also be able to enjoy the resort’s activities and excursions, like snorkelling the coral house reef, as well as cultural and wildlife tours. We also love all-villa resort An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay for a more low-key, laid-back stay. Situated between the jungle and the beach, it’s also only accessible by boat, forcing you to unwind once you arrive. The highlight is the striking Sen Restaurant which sits like a lotus over the bay. 

Vietnam’s southern coastline and islands offer the perfect break at the end of a tour of the country. The Con Dao archipelago, which is reached within 45 minutes by plane from Ho Chi Minh City, is a real tropical paradise, comprised of 16 islands and islets, rugged mountainous masses of rock covered in dense forest fringed by miles of pristine uncrowded beaches with turquoise-azure sea. It is also known for its coral reefs and marine life, and there are many dive sites. The area is also awash with several very chic boutique hotels. However, the islands’ past cannot be ignored and has an interesting historic past from the days of the East India Company through to the French colonial era and latterly the Vietnam War when the main settlement of Con Son was used by the French and Americans as an island prison for anti-regime resistance fighters, many of whom died here. 

About an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City, the island of Phu Quoc in the Gulf of Thailand is closer to Cambodia and is still relatively undiscovered. It also boasts white-sand beaches and a few smart resorts, most of which are along the palm-lined southwest coast. More than half of the island is part of the lush national park, which features mountains, dense tropical jungle, hiking trails and wildlife. You can hike up Mount Chua, visit traditional villages, go kayaking on the Cua Can River or explore the island by bicycle. It’s also a paradise for divers as the reefs surrounding the island are full of colourful marine life.

Where To Stay: Built on a mile-long stretch of sandy beach, the Six Senses Con Dao resort comprises 50 private pool villas that all face out towards the ocean. They are crafted from natural materials to resemble a traditional fishing village, and the bathrooms and living areas are open-air. Food here is exceptional, from traditional Vietnamese cuisine in Bay The Market or the freshest grilled fish at By The Beach. As with all Six Senses properties, the spa offers a range of therapeutic treatments and herbal remedies to balance body and mind. The resort is also known as the place for turtles – from May to September, green sea turtles return to the beaches of Con Dao to lay their eggs and, from August onwards, guests can see the hatchlings make their way out of the ground and venturing down the beach into the waters.

On the west coast of the island of Phu Quoc, La Veranda Resort is reminiscent of a 1920s French mansion. The 70 rooms all have a private balcony overlooking the gardens or ocean and are done up with drapes, colonial-style furniture and crisp linens. The art-deco bar is the place for a sundowner, and you won’t want to miss the Saturday night BBQ on the beach.

Vietnam covers a vast range of latitudes and topographies which means you need to be prepared for all weathers – it could be cold in the north, rainy in the middle and warm and sunny in the south. Overall, the best time of year to visit is from January to May when there is the least rainfall in both the cultural areas and on the coast, but a lot depends on what you are planning to do.