Highlights of Indochina

Bangkok is Thailand's huge and bustling capital, a chaotic and cosmopolitan city with many attractions. The most spectacular of these is the opulent and magnificent Grand Palace, reached on one of Bangkok's renowned waterways or klongs. Built in the late 18th century when Thailand was re-emerging from Burmese oppression, the complex is a vast collection of palaces, golden stupas, ornately decorative statues and wats, of which Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is the most impressive. Wat Po, home of the famous 46 metre long gold-plated Reclining Buddha, is another must-see. Elsewhere in the city, Jim Thompson's House is a museum containing superb examples of Thai art and furniture, collected by the former CIA officer and silk magnate. Shops and markets such as Chatuchak Market sell a huge range of Thai goods while at night Bangkok comes alive with a huge variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

One of the finest cities in south-east Asia in the 1950s and 60s, Phnom Penh suffered considerably during the brutal Khmer Rouge regime but has managed to retain much of its attraction and charm. The Royal Palace is a magnificent and beautiful complex and includes the Silver Pagoda temple within its grounds, which houses the Emerald Buddha. The French Quarter near the riverfront has many colonial buildings beings restored and a lively bar and restaurant scene. The Central Market and Russian Market are good places to buy jewellery and clothes respectively. Other attractions in the city include the temple of Wat Phnom and the National Museum.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it's still known, is Vietnam's largest city and economic powerhouse. It's a vibrant, noisy and bustling city but also retains some of the colonial French architecture, such as the post office and city hall. Other attractions include the Reunification Palace, the chilling War Remnants Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral. Also worth visiting is the Chinatown district of Cholon to see the Binh Tay Market, pagodas and temples.

The city of Nha Trang is Vietnam's premier beach resort. The 4km stretch of white sands spans the entire length of the city with the warm, blue waters of the South China Sea on the shore. Boat trips take you to nearby islands, with opportunities for snorkelling and scuba diving, and allow you to appreciate the rugged coastlines around the city. Nha Trang is also famous for its seafood, which can be sampled in numerous restaurants in the town.

The city of Danang was once the centre of the Kingdom of Champa between the 4th and 13th centuries. Today the Cham Museum in Danang allows you to see some amazing Cham sculptures. The landscape around Danang is extraordinary, including the limestone peaks of the Marble Mountains, once used by both the Champas and in ore recent times as a haven for the Viet Cong and containing many Buddhist shrines. You can also visit the famous China Beach nearby. The road north to Hue also offers spectacular scenery, especially over the Hai Van pass, known as the Pass of the Ocean Clouds.

Hue

Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam, and its religious and cultural centre, under the Nguyen dynasty from 1801 to 1945. The walled imperial citadel, containing the Forbidden Purple Palace (an exact replica of Beijing's Forbidden Palace), covers a vast area but much of it was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968. The Ngo Mon Gate, some of the outer walls and the Flag Tower remain however, providing an eloquent glimpse at the glories of imperial Vietnam. The beautiful and evocative Perfume River runs through Hue and dragon boat rides along the river will take you to more of Hue's attractions. The Thien Mu Pagoda is the oldest monastery in Hue and one of the most beautiful buildings in Vietnam. There are also the tombs of the Nguyen emperors, such as that of Tu Duc, which provide insights into the lifestyles of the emperors.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Complex of Hué Monuments

Hanoi

Hanoi combines the bustle and pace of a capital city with an old world charm and nostalgia from its French colonial past. Characterised by wide boulevards, faded colonial buildings and tree-lined lakes, Hanoi is a wonderful city for strolling and soaking up the atmosphere. In particular, the maze-like Old Quarter between Hoan Kiem Lake and the Red River invites exploration of its narrow streets and myriad of shops. Other attractions include the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's oldest educational establishment, the colonial architecture of the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton. Also worth checking out are the famous water puppet theatres for a truly Vietnamese experience.