Audley in VietnamVietnam was our first destination and it hasremained close to our hearts. All ourVietnam specialists have a passion for thecountry and have spent considerable timeinspecting hotels, meeting guides andresearching new excursions. Most of ouritineraries are based around a journeybetween Hanoi and Saigon that takes in thehighlights of central Vietnam en route,although we also include many of thecountry's lesser-known sights that are oftenoverlooked by other operators. For example,as well as discovering Sapa and the colourfulhill tribe communities of the Tonkinese Alps,you can include the remote markets of HaGiang on your trip. We offer severalalternative routes through the CentralHighlands and for alternative beachdestinations we recommend the tropicalparadises of Phu Quoc and the Con Daoislands. We work with a small pool ofspecially selected guides, and hold an awardceremony each year where the guidesreceiving the best feedback are recognised.AccommodationVietnam has drawn on its French colonialheritage to establish a range of hotels, withrestored period properties among the bestboutique hotels in Indochina. These are oftenlocated in the heart of old towns, ideallyplaced to explore nearby restaurants andmarkets. The coast and islands in Vietnamare much less developed than in nearbyThailand or Malaysia, even though there aresome wonderful beaches, where we haveselected a number of sophisticated resortsand small, intimate properties to suit anytaste. We can also recommend homestays in the Mekong Delta, Tonkinese Alps andCentral Highlands. We strive to search outcharacterful alternatives to the larger hotelsas well as those that involve the localcommunity.Find out more For suggested itineraries and practicalinformation about travel in Vietnam, pleasesee pages 24-25.www.audleytravel.comInteractive maps and features, further suggested itineraries,accommodation, climate informationand articles written by our specialists.Discuss your plans with our Vietnamspecialists 01993 838 140?HanoiVietnam's busy capital city is bursting with life, full of culture and somefascinating historical sites.SapaHidden away amongst theTonkinese Alps, this smallmarket town is an excellentbase for trekking among therugged mountains and visitinglocal minority tribes.Halong BayCruise among some ofVietnam's most stunning naturalscenery. There are thousands oflimestone karsts jutting out ofthe sea in this UNESCOprotected area.Mai ChauA great location for experiencingthe lives of the White Thaitribes that inhabit the area.HueVietnam's most historic city, with its captivating imperialcitadel. Venture along thePerfume River to visit ancient sites.Hoi AnAn enchanting town spared from the destruction of the Vietnam war; the perfectlocation to lose yourself among the historical buildings and cobbled streets.Phan ThietAn ideal beach destination forrelaxation, or alternatively to try a bit of dune surfing.7654321SaigonAlso known as Ho Chi MinhCity, and one of SoutheastAsia's busiest and mostcosmopolitan cities.Mekong DeltaPossibly the most scenic river in Asia, with small towns andfloating markets, where you canmeet people who live upon itsfertile banks.89Phu Quoc IslandThe ultimate location for restand relaxation, Phu Quoc is atropical island which hasavoided the commercialisationof many beach resorts, great forscuba diving and strolling alongtropical beaches.10Vietnam912435678910Vietnamese girls in traditional dressVietnamese lady

SOFITELLEGENDMETROPOLE,HANOILike Raffles in Singapore, Hanoi's Metropole is aclassic hotel from the colonial era: more than ahundred years of history have passed through herdoors. Located within walking distance of thecentral lake, former guests include GrahamGreene, Charlie Chaplin and Fidel Castro. Guestrooms in the Old Wing retain much of theirperiod character, while those in the hotel's Opera Wing offer chic contemporary luxury. The club rooms boast a plethora of additionalbenefits and represent the capital's most stylishaccommodation. The facilities on offer are secondto none and the restaurants are considered someof the finest in the city. Indeed, no visit would becomplete without a feast at the renownedchocolate buffet.ANISEHOTEL, HANOIThis three star hotel is situated on Qan ThanhStreet, within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lakeand Hanoi's Old Quarter. The Anise offers 42guest rooms, some with views of nearby HangDau Public Gardens. There is a small restauranton the 11th floor with views of the city and acafé on the ground floor. This is a simple hotel,which offers good value for money.HanoiDespite being the capital of modern Vietnam,Hanoi moves at a gentle pace. Alluringlypositioned on the Red River, the colonial districthas the atmosphere of a town in provincial Francebut for cycling schoolgirls wearing traditionalwhite ao dais and wispy-bearded men in pithhelmets. We use central hotels, putting you withinwalking distance of the Old Quarter's bustlingmarket streets, the relaxed cafes around HoanKiem Lake and the tree-lined boulevards of thecolonial French Quarter. A city tour might visitHo Chi Minh's imposing mausoleum, the Museumof Ethnology with its vivid illustration of thecountry's many minority tribes and the wonderful9th-century sculptures at the Fine Art Museum.Many of Hanoi's greatest sights are smaller andyou'll find them at every turn: temples andpagodas clustered along the 36 narrow streets ofthe Old Quarter, wedding photographers at workin the city parks, and busy market scenes.10Conical hat seller, HanoiStreet scene, HanoiSofitel Legend Metropole, HanoiWoman with baskets, Hanoi