Travel

Obviously you're flying in for the wedding, but should take the opportunity for a longer holiday if your schedule permits. Below are some of the highlights in Vietnam which could form a short trip before or after the wedding - but make sure you're around for the stag party and international guest dinner!

In the North:

Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Sapa are the main points of interest. The capital city Hanoi still has a strong french colonial influence, lots of museums, galleries and is a pleasant city to visit for a few days of culture.

Ha Long Bay is one of the natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with large rock formations emerging from the greenish waters. Despite living in HCMC for 3 years, I've not been there before, but am planning on taking the family for a couple of days boat cruise after the wedding.

Sapa is a mountainous area that borders China. If you fancy a hike, some cooler weather and to see the local indigenous communities which differ radically to what you'll see in the rest of the country - then this is the place for you.

In the Middle:

Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An are all within close proximity of each other - fly from Saigon into one of the airports and you'd be able to get around all 3 comfortably within 5 days.

Hue is often famed in guide books for it's tailor made clothing, however, most people I know that have had clothes made there wish they'd got them in HCMC due to the better quality materials, workmanship for comparable cost. A nice city to visit, with plenty of monuments to visit, but the advice is to get clothing made in HCMC.

Da Nang is Vietnam's 4th major city and the industrial capital of the country. That said, it is also the former religious centre of the Champa kingdom with lots of temples and pagodas to visit, Marble Mountain and the dense conifer laiden hills are fun to cycle through. It's much cooler than the rest of the country, but still worth taking the downhill route to the beach! It also boasts some great golf courses with Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus designed courses and resorts.

Hoi An is an Ancient Trading port with a real mish-mash of cultural influences and yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site the country can boast.

In the South:

HCMC, the Mekong Delta and lots of beaches sums up the South of the country. The Mekong Delta covers a large area of South Vietnam and can be explored by boat as a day trip, or for the more adventurous over several days. You probably wouldn't spend 3 days on a boat (it gets a bit repetitive), but look to stop off for a day at places like Vinh Long where a lot of Vietnamese go to party! You can board boats from downtown HCMC, or travel by bus to somewhere further up river and pick up from there.

The main beach resorts in the South are Vung Tau/Long Hai, Mui Ne and Phu Quoc. All are nice and you can read extensively about them online or in guide books. My advice as to which you choose depends on how long you have to stay and your budget. You can catch a boat or even take a taxi to Vung Tau and be there in 2 hours from HCMC.

The beach at Vung Tau is not quite as pristine as others, but if you only have two days, or perhaps want to do a day trip. It's typically quite busy with Vietnamese visitors from HCMC, so if you want to blend in with the locals - this is the place for you. Long Hai is next to Vung Tau and can offer a more relaxed atmosphere, nice resorts and quiet beach retreat.

Phu Quoc is an island off the South West coast and accessible by plane from HCMC for a few hundred dollars. You'll find quiet beaches, good hotels and a place to recharge your batteries.

Mui Ne arguably has the best beach, range of hotels and nightlife of any beach resort in the country. Most Saigon based ex-pats visit once a month during the dry season so you may need to book accommodation several weeks in advance. It's a great place to visit, but does requires a 5-6 hour bus journey which can be an experience in itself. The best option is to go with several others and hire your own minibus with driver for 3 days. "The strip" at Mui Ne is several kilometers long with hotels on one side and guest houses, plus bars / restaurants on the other.