VIETNAM UNVEILED

NORTHERN TREASURES

Last month, I travelled across Vietnam, experiencing everything from the colonial elegance of Hanoi to the pristine beaches of Con Dao. As someone who's explored Southeast Asia extensively, Vietnam still managed to surprise me with its remarkable diversity and authentic charm.

My journey took me through Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Con Dao, and Ho Chi Minh City, staying at some exceptional properties including the historic Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi and the secluded Six Senses on Con Dao island. I would, however, caution about timing – my September visit found me caught between two typhoons! For optimal weather, I'd recommend travelling between November and April when rainfall is generally minimal across most regions.

In Hanoi, don't miss the theatrical performance of Train Street, where locomotives rumble through a narrow residential corridor with cafés and shops literally within arm's reach of the passing trains. It's simultaneously exhilarating and slightly terrifying!

CENTRAL DELIGHTS

What makes Vietnam special is its seamless blend of experiences – bustling metropolitan energy transitions to tranquil landscapes, ancient temples stand alongside colonial architecture, and throughout it all, you'll encounter some of the warmest hospitality in Asia.

Vietnamese cuisine deserves its stellar reputation, but to truly appreciate it, you must venture beyond hotel restaurants. In Hanoi, I joined a guided food tour through the Old Quarter, squeezing through narrow alleyways to sample authentic dishes like Banh Goi (fried dumplings) and various Nem (spring rolls). There's something magical about dining elbow-to-elbow with locals on tiny plastic stools as motorbikes zip by.

What fascinated me was Vietnam's distinct regional personalities, evident even in something as seemingly universal as coffee: In Ho Chi Minh City, the iced coffee with condensed milk offers a perfect harmony between bitter coffee and rich sweetness. Up north in Hanoi, egg coffee—born from wartime necessity—presents like a golden cappuccino with a silky egg cream sweetened with honey. But the revelation was Hue's salt coffee—comparable to liquid salted caramel with a delicate bitter-sweet balance that had me seeking it out daily.

SOUTHERN EXPERIENCES

My personal highlight came at Six Senses Con Dao, where I participated in their turtle conservation programme. Between April and October, mother turtles lay eggs on the resort's beaches, and guests can help release hatchlings into the ocean—a profoundly moving wildlife encounter that feels like a rare privilege.

For those considering their own Vietnamese adventure, two practical tips: First, verify luggage allowances before domestic flights. Con Dao's tiny airport accepts only cash for excess baggage charges, with no ATM on premises—a lesson I learned the hard way! Second, build in time for Hoi An's famous tailoring services. The efficiency is remarkable—select your fabric and design in the morning, and many establishments will have your bespoke garment ready by the following day.

Vietnam offers that increasingly rare travel experience—genuine cultural immersion alongside comfortable luxury. Whether you're sipping salt coffee in a hidden Hue café, releasing baby turtles into the ocean at dawn, or being measured for a tailor-made suit in Hoi An, Vietnam creates moments that linger in your memory long after you've returned home.

Vietnam offers such an incredible blend of experiences - from vibrant city life to serene natural beauty. I'd love to share more details about my journey and help you plan your own Vietnamese adventure. Whether you're interested in cultural immersion, culinary exploration or simply relaxing on beautiful beaches, Vietnam has something truly special to offer.

Visit our Sevenoaks branch, call me on 01732 914 900, or email sevenoaks@ashdowntravel.co.uk to discuss how we might create your perfect Southeast Asian experience.

My best wishes,

Hayley