Vietnam

Two colours seem to dominate the landscape of Indo China: Azure and jade green. Endless skies that merge with balmy waters along its coastlines, contrast with lush rice paddies and dense upcountry forests that hold age-old secrets. And Vietnam is no exception. Often referred to the ‘Land of the Blue Dragon’, the blue may represent the blue of the skies and the waters of the South China Sea that cradles its coastline, while in Vietnamese culture, the dragon is a symbol of the nation’s strength and ability to overcome adversity. 

Moving away from its killings fields and violent past, Vietnam has reinvented itself by turning to its rich culture and history. A nation of startling diversity, Vietnam offers different things to different people. Tranquil streets with French colonial and 19^th century traditional Chinese architecture in the historic quarters of cities like Hanoi and the old port city of Hoi An, peacefully coexist with the rough and tumble of modern Vietnam. Bustling hawker stalls dish up street food like Vietnam’s ubiquitous pho soup, and banh mi sandwiches, while quaint French style cafes capture the flavour of Vietnam’s colonial past. 

Away from the cities, the cascading rice terraces of Sapa with its misty valleys and peaks offers serenity, while kayaking between the ancient limestone karsts of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay provides a heady adrenaline shot. 

In Vietnam the weather is generally hot and humid, but temperatures and rainy months vary depending on where you are. North Vietnam is generally best to visit during its mild winter months between November and April. Central Vietnam sees the maximum rainfall in October and November, while South Vietnam is best visited during the dry season between November and April.