TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR VIETNAM

Taxis are great for short distances. The language barrier may be an issue, so be sure to have a SIM card with GPS to help the driver out. For the long distances, tourist coaches are not only comfortable, but also incredibly cheap - often less than $10AUD to travel hundreds of kilometres. We don't recommend any trips that will have you on the roads at night - poor infrastructure and ambitious drivers are a mix that you don't need in your life. Trains are great for the ultra-long trips - just make sure you book one of the four-berth 'soft sleeper' tickets, otherwise you are in for a crowded and uncomfortable ride!

For the ultimate flexibility, consider hiring a driver - for as little as $10-50AUD a day, you can hire a personal driver who will take the stress out of being on the road. Speak to your hotel or hostel for recommendations.

WHERE TO GO

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the largest of Vietnam's cities, and they have wildly different personalities. Administrative capital Hanoi is often considered old-world and romantic, while Ho Chi Minh is an economic powerhouse that does not stop. Hanoi's colonial architecture is stunning, while Ho Chi Minh has gorgeous Botanic Gardens and some of the best museums to the American War, but is also home to historical treasures from its French and Cantonese pasts, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. 

Hoi An is one of Vietnam's most beautiful cities, with more than 800 UNSECO-listed historic buildings, some with roots in the 16th Century. Grab an Old Town ticket (around $7AUD, valid for 10 days) for access to 18 of those buildings, plus museums, galleries, and more.

While you've certainly heard of its Chinese equivalent, Vietnam's Forbidden City, in Hue. This former imperial capital features stunning momument which have somehow survived three recent wars. See the Citadel, Imperial Tombs and Thien Mu Pagoda, and try the touristy but fun royal banquet experience.

Whichever major city you find yourself in, don't miss the opportunity to take a Vietnamese cooking class - it is some of the best food in the world, so why not learn to make it at home! A good idea is to find classes that include a trip to the market, so you can get familiar with new ingredients.

Halong Bay, with its dramatic tree-covered limestone islets and emerald water is a truly spectacular site. Largely a fishing community area, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Regulation has not kept up with demand, with some unscrupulous operators running unsafe tours and cruises. Check review sites in advance, and if you look at your boat and don't feel safe, just don't get on. That said, there are many tour companies with great operations. While Halong Bay is *very* touristy, its majesty is simply not to be missed.