Best Spots in Vietnam

Q: We are interested in visiting Vietnam and would like some advice on which areas to visit. We would like to spend time in Hanoi, but are not sure about other destinations. - Sam Paul

A: Hanoi, a charming French colonial city, and the nearby Halong Bay, with its Chinese junk cruisers, make the north of this country one of the most popular destinations. However, there are two other zones that should be considered. The second zone, roughly in the middle of the country, covers the historic towns around the harbour city of Danang. Here you will find the former royal capital of Hue, the vibrant trading port of Hoi An and the famous China Beach. The third zone consists of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the Mekong delta. From HCMC you can travel to Nha Trang, an increasingly popular beach resort. Coming from South Africa, you would probably fly to Vietnam via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. Your best bet may to be to fly into Hanoi, travel down the country by hired car taking in the beach resorts and historic towns ending up in HCMC. You can then leave the country through HCMC. You could do the trip in seven days, but you need at least two weeks to enjoy the various sightseeing opportunities. (8/5/11)