From steaming bowls of noodle soup known as pho to French bread and pate and Vietnamese­style barbecues, visitors will never regret sampling the fabulous fresh spring rolls dipped in the famous muoc ngam, or fish sauce.

The northern region is home to the capital city of Hanoi, and the old quarter with its narrow streets is always busy and noisy as bicycles and people on foot compete for space.

In the heart of Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake, where many travellers join locals practicing tai chi or jogging. In the evenings with reflections off the lake, the many cafes offer a unique and exotic atmosphere.

Favourite sights include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh‘s House, and the Temple of Literature. The night markets offer a great place to eat and grab a bargain, with Hanoi being the best opportunity to witness the traditional rural entertainment of the water puppet theatre. A city tour is essential for visitors who do not join one of the fully escorted tours in each of the main cities of Vietnam, as they will learn a lot more and really appreciate what they are seeing when their local guide explains the stories and history behind the sights.

Halong Bay is accessible from Hanoi and offers a spectacular sight of limestone outcrops jutting from the sea, or the more adventurous can head north by train to the Chinese border and the mountain town of Sapa, where ethnic villagers come to sell their wares. An overnight journey on the Reunification Express train offers basic shared compartments but offers the chance to chat with other travellers and locals.

In Hue, the former Imperial City, the key sights are the walled Citadel and the Emperor‘s Tombs. A few hours away over the winding Hai Van Pass, past China Beach and Marble Mountain, is Hoi An, a charming town full of galleries, cafes and shops. Always a popular stop, at least two full days are needed to wander around its cobblestone streets and discover the many local and curio items on sale. Few visitors leave Hoi An without some tailor­made clothing or shoes from the many excellent tailors. Cafes and restaurants abound, and hiring bicycles is popular for exploring the countryside and getting to the beach, just five kilometres from town.

Throughout Vietnam, travellers get to experience the wonderful cuisine, but Hoi An is one of the best places to take a short cooking lesson so they can share some of their experiences when they get home. Visitors will marvel at the spectacular towers built by the Cham people centuries ago, while a visit to the ruins of their ancient city is well worthwhile. Further south is the seaside town of Nha Trang and its outlying islands. Highlights here include the seaside boulevard and restaurants, or one of the popular boat trips for snorkelling or a deeper aqualung diving trip.

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it is more commonly known, is the economic heart of Vietnam and is fast developing into a major city. Wide, tree­lined boulevards mark the heart of the city, and the many new shopping centres stocking top European labels stand by older­style markets and shopping streets, making the city a bargain hunter‘s paradise. The French occupation resulted in some stunning architecture, with many old colonial buildings making photography a delight, while around every corner visitors still witness everyday Vietnamese life.

Other Ho Chi Minh highlights include a copy of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Thien Hau Pagoda, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Saigon and the War Museum, a daunting but valuable reminder of the horrors of war.

The Mekong region is a highlight with its lush, green tropical jungle and myriad of waterways, where travellers witness home industries, floating markets and sample the wonderful array of tropical fruit.

The Cu Chi Tunnels, 30 kilometres from Saigon, are one of the most intact monuments left from the Vietnam War, and are fascinating, as they have been opened to allow visitors to see how the Viet Cong lived underground.