Friendly fascinating and fun, Vietnam is a total assault on all your senses! There’s a dramatic difference between the frenetic street life of urban Vietnam, with its pavement pubs and makeshift food stalls, and the gentler pace of the countryside, with water buffalo, verdant paddy fields and dusty paths which women cycle along in their traditional straw hats. To get a real feel for this mesmerising country, sample both sides to Vietnam.

Here you’ll find bold landscapes, soaring mountains and dramatic coastline. Hanoi is Vietnam’s captivating capital. Stroll around the old quarter, or get up early to watch the whole city exercising by Hoan Kiem Lake. How about taking your life in your hands by cycling through Ho Chi Minh City, or absorbing the palaces, pagodas and temples of former imperial capital Hué?

The green fields and sleepy villages of the Mekong Delta provide a delightful contrast to the Vietnamese cities, where life is lived in the fast lane.

For white-sanded, palm-fringed beaches, make for the tropical getaway of Phu Quoc. On the east coast at Mui Ne Beach, you’ll have to make a similar decision: action or relaxation? For bird and nature watching, Cat Tien National Park offers outstanding opportunities, and you can hike here too.