Start off in the sensory overload that is Ho Chi Minh City, a metropolis where humble mom-and-pop shops share street space with modern skyscrapers. Beyond the city limits you’ll encounter the languid Mekong Delta, where life takes place on water and farmland rolls out as far as the eye can see.

Not far away, Mui Ne lures holidaymakers with a laid-back beach vibe and reputation as the kite-surfing capital of Vietnam. Offshore, islands such as Phu Quoc and Con Dao will welcome you with pristine coastlines and untouched landscapes.

TOP DESTINATION IN SOUTHERN VIETNAM

Ho Chi Minh City

Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC's dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future.

Mui Ne

It's easy to lose track of time in Mũi Né, riding bicycles along the coast, spending afternoons by the pool, and dining on fresh seafood with the sound of the waves in the background. With ideal conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing, brightly coloured kites are a fixture on Mũi Né's beaches year-round. Over the years, this seaside retreat has evolved to offer guesthouses and resorts of every stripe. Come for the surf, stay for the mellow atmosphere.

Con Dao

A tiny archipelago off the southern coast, only a small number of travellers wind up in Côn Đảo. Though the trip requires extra effort, those who commit to the journey are rewarded with some of the country's most blissful beaches and best snorkelling. Much of the island is covered by the Côn Đảo National Park. Its dense jungle will give you ample chance to uncover a paradise of your own.

Phu Quoc

Phú Quốc's pure white beaches, clear waters, and laid-back vibes have earned it a spot in the hearts of many travellers. Days here are spent on the sand, while nights are for feasting on fresh seafood and stargazing. Vietnam's largest island is home to a beautiful coastline. The An Thoi islands offer some of the country's best snorkelling and diving, and Phú Quốc's northern roads run through lush forest and branch off onto a handful of do-it-yourself hiking trails, inviting you to explore on your own.

Can Tho

At first glance, Cần Thơ seems to be a bustling city, with a stream of commerce flowing continuously down the Hậu River. But treat yourself to a room on its leafy banks, dine on its sun-ripened fruits and fresh river fish, glide on sampans through its sultry canals, and you’ll soon realise Cần Thơ’s big city facade is just half the story. The other half? Misty sunrises over the water, lazy afternoons swaying in a hammock, and balmy evenings announced by a chorus of insects. Under the Mekong Delta’s blazing blue skies, Cần Thơ leaves a vivid impression.

Chau Doc

Brimming with lush forests, bustling riverbanks, and brilliant temples, the border town of Châu Đốc is a compelling spot to experience the fusion of cultures and colours that make up Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Châu Đốc may surprise you with its hidden treasures: mysterious wetlands, ethnic Chăm villages, and atmospheric temples. This small town has fascinating stories to tell: you might need to stay a while to hear them all.