This long, thin country curves in an elegant S-shape down the eastern side of the Indo-Chinese peninsula, stretching almost 2,000 kilometres from the Gulf of Tonkin down to the Mekong Delta, with an almost unrivalled run of sandy beaches. The northern Red River Delta is the cradle of Vietnamese culture and home to the ancient city of Hanoi with its combination of broad tree lined boulevards and narrow alleyways packed with goods. To the east of Hanoi on the of Tonkin, is Halong Bay, its limestone outcrops soaring out of the morning haze, creating breath taking vistas. Along the northwest border with China and Laos, there are lush, mountainous areas such as Sapa where many of Vietnam's colourful indigenous tribes live. The mountains widen out to form the Central Highlands, often referred to as the backbone of Vietnam. The colonial town of Dalat is on a plateau in the highlands, surrounded by lakes, forests, waterfalls and an abundance of flora. Much of the coast is fringed with white sandy beaches, beautiful bays and fishing villages. Hoi An is a dreamy backwater port on the central coast, full of peaceful wooden shophouses, and further inland over the Hai Van Pass is Hue, the Nguyen imperial city. The beaches of Vietnam along Nha Trang, Phan Thiet and the beautiful island of Phu Quoc are perfect for relaxation. The Mekong Delta, in the south of the country is the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam and home to women in conical hats, floating markets, where fruit and vegetables are piled high on wooden boats, and brilliant patchworks of rice paddy. Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) buzzes with energy, it is a city that never sleeps where French colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers jostle for space. Vietnam is moving forward; the north and south reunified in 1986 and the government began to relax its rigid centralist control, although both regions still tend to preserve their distinct identities.
There are no direct flights as yet from the UK to Vietnam, so flights into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi from any of the south east Asian hubs; Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. The most popular option is an "open jaw" ticket, flying into one city and out from the other.
Packing for a trip to Vietnam can be difficult, as the climate varies so much depending on when and where you go. When the weather isn't ideal in one area, it's great in another. Vietnam is subject to two monsoon seasons: from April to October, most of the country is affected by south-western monsoons, the rains, which tend to be concentrated in the late afternoons, provide welcome relief to the heat, the cooler northeast monsoon hits the central coast in October until January. North Vietnam is generally warm and sunny in the autumn, cool in the winter and hot in the summer. Halong Bay is perfect in the summer months as the water is warm enough for swimming. The hottest months in Ho Chi Minh City are April and May, although there is generally a decent breeze. The central highland town of Dalat is temperate year-round.
British passport holders require a visa for Vietnam which must be obtained prior to departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return from Vietnam and have at least 2 blank pages. We recommend contacting The http://www.thevisabutler.co.uk Visa Butler, for assistance with your Vietnamese visa, quoting ‘Ampersand’ in order to receive our specially negotiated rates. 132 Sloane Street,Floor 6LondonSW1X 9AXTel:- 020 7460 2937
For information on vaccinations and health requirements, we suggest that you contact your GP or a travel clinic such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/vietnam.htm at least 2 months prior to departure for advice and to arrange immunisations. Recommended vaccinations for travel to Thailand and Indochina are polio, tetanus, typhoid, meningitis and hepatitis A. We also recommend that you take anti-malarial tablets, but please consult your doctor for his/her advice.
Hanoi: 15 hours 15 minutes not directSaigon: Approx. 15 hours not direct
Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT