Vietnam

First, fly to Hanoi in the north, the capital of Vietnam, and the gateway to Halong Bay cruises. At its heart are the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, with little shops, temples, food stalls, and lots of scooters! 

A great way to spend half an hour is to take a cycle-rickshaw ride, and afterwards walk to scenic Hoan Kiem Lake where you'll find the much photographed red Huc Bridge which connects to Jade Island and the Temple of the Jade Mountain.

A trip to Halong Bay is included on almost every Vietnam tour that visits Hanoi. However it does take a good few hours to arrive, so if the tour only includes a day cruise then it might feel like a long day with lots of travelling. 

A much better way to experience Halong Bay is to spend a night on board. You'll see the sunset (hopefully!) amid some of the most stunning scenery in Asia. Naturally these cost more, but the experience is definitely worth it. A few select tours even have two nights on board, which is very relaxing after the hustle and bustle of Hanoi.

Flying down to the centre of Vietnam into Da Nang, the number one place here is the ancient city of Hoi An. In fact, it was recently voted the number one city in the world! 

It becomes very atmospheric at dusk. As the sun goes down the lanterns lining the little streets start to shine, and the perfect place to have a drink is on the first floor of one of the little cafes overlooking the river. There are lots of shops and although it has become more touristy as travellers have discovered its delights, you should have a look in the silk shops as it's a wonderful place to buy quality silk products.

Next, fly down to Hoi Chi Minh City (Saigon) which by contrast to Hanoi is a much more modern city. A highlight is the Chi Chi tunnels which is part of a network of tunnels used in the Vietnam war, and tours there will aim to show you the history and harsh realities of living in them from the sleeping quarters to the kitchens, meeting areas, hospitals and even schools. 

A cruise along the Mekong Delta is another great experience, watching daily rural life along the river and making stops at temples, markets and more. There's also a chance to visit the Floating Markets.

There are several beach resorts you could go to relax, but perhaps the pick is Phu Quoc, an island off the coast of South Vietnam with forests and white sand beaches, temples, pagodas, and a lively market. You can go on lovely walks past caves and waterfalls. 

At the end of your stay transfer to the airport for your flight home, usually via Ho Chi Minh City.

As an alternative, Nha Trang is an established resort on the mainland, while Mui Ne is perfect if you enjoy water sports due to the excellent waves. Or, you could combine Vietnam with some of Thailand's beaches and make a Vietnam tour + Thailand beach combination holiday.