You may be tempted to try and squeeze as much of Vietnam into as short a space of time as possible but it’s not ideal. To truly get to grips with the country – two weeks or more is recommended. Starting in the north is a good idea, taking in the tribal villages and ancient cities as you make your way through places like Hue and then to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Ending your trip on the beautiful beaches or with a luxurious night in the city is sure to be a highlight.

The way you dress on your Vietnam Holidays is of course down to how and when you travel. We suggest dressing light and airy; though remember to dress modestly when visiting temples and other places of religious importance. If you’re visiting the north of the country or any of the country during the rainy season (May to September in the south) then we recommend taking along some waterproof clothing – though don’t be too put off by that, as it’s entirely possible to visit during the wetter months and have fantastic weather throughout as temperatures are high all year round.

If you feel like indulging in a little shopping on your trip, then the Vincom centre in Ho Chi Minh City should be your first choice, it’s also a good destination to see the modern side of the country – with stylish teens, affluent Vietnamese shoppers and tourists mingling in the chic stores and luxurious restaurants. If you feel like learning a little Vietnamese for your trip then learn the basics such as Hello (Xin Chào or simply chow) and if you can a little about money to get by in the restaurants – however you’ll find that most people (in the more built up areas anyway) can speak a little English.

We recommend to combine Vietnam with Laos and or Cambodia, perhaps Thailand. Nevertheless, the not to miss attractions in Vietnam are The enchanting Halong Bay, Hu’s ancient Thien Mu Pagoda, River cruises on the Mekong Delta and The terraced rice fields.

Festivals:

Vietnam, like many Asian cities, has a plethora of festivals for you to explore such as the New Year Festival ‘Tet’ in late january during which the Water Puppet festival is also held. In summertime, the Phat Dan festival sees lanterns hung outside of Pagodas and Buddhist homes to commemorate Buddha’s birthday – held on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month;May. The Oc Bom Boc Festival takes place in autumn and sees boat racing in Soc Trang around November/December.