Verdant patchworks of rice paddies, pointed lampshade-style hats, a country ravaged by war, and economic repression - these are the international images of Vietnam, seen on worldwide television and read about in the newspapers. But there are other scenes to be found, ones of natural beauty, ethnic culture, and imperial history, of timeless traditional villages, idyllic sea resorts and dynamic cities.

Shaped like an elongated 'S', Vietnam stretches along the east coast of the Indochinese Peninsula and is likened by its people to a long bamboo pole hung with two baskets of rice, represented by the two fertile regions at either end of the country. Between the lush Red River Delta and the highlands in the north, known for their magnificent scenery and colourful hill tribes, and the agricultural plains and floating markets of the Mekong Delta in the south, lie miles of white sandy beaches, towering mountains, rivers and dense forests, and the thousands of bizarre rock and cave formations on the islands of Halong Bay.

The impact of Japanese and Chinese trade, French occupation and American intervention has left its stain on Vietnam, smeared over a period of more than two thousand years of recorded history. However, the country has also been left with a vivid legacy from different cultures evident in the character of its towns, as well as in the architecture and food. The quaint town of Hoi An, once a major trading port, boasts the perfectly preserved architectural influences of the Asian merchants from the north, while the broad leafy boulevards of the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are reminiscent of France. Menus offer Chinese variations of spring rolls, steamed dumplings and noodles. Hué is the old imperial capital of Vietnam with its royal palaces and palatial mausoleums, and nearby the battle sites of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) are reminders of the brutality of war.

Ancient temples and colourful pagodas are scattered throughout the urban centres, while among them stand hotels of modern luxury, and the development of tourism infrastructure is a booming business. Vietnam is a perfect balance between ancient times and the here and now, a country that reveres its past heroes, a nation that has collectively put the woes of war behind it, and people who welcome visitors to their country with open arms and friendly smiles.

Old Quarter

Address: Hoan Kiem District Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

Address: Hung Vuong and Le Hong Phong Streets, Ba Dinh Square Hanoi

Admission: Free, but a donation is expected Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh's body goes to Russia for maintenance

Telephone: (04) 845 5128

One Pillar Pagoda

Address: Ong Ich Kiem Street, Ba Dinh District Hanoi

Admission: Free, but a donation is expected Daily from 8am to 5pm

Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)

Address: Pho Van Mieu, corner of Pho Quoc Tu Giam Hanoi

Admission: Varying costs for English-speaking guides Open daily from 7.30am to 6pm (summer), and 8am to 5pm (winter)

Telephone: (04) 942 1061

Halong Bay

Address: Hanoi

Admission: Day tours from Hanoi cost US$24. Overnight tours cost anything from US$16 to US$150

Sa Pa and Bac Ha

Address: The connecting town is Lao Cai Hanoi

Admission: Three day, two night tours start at US$80

The Citadel

Address: North bank of the Perfume River Hué

Admission: 55,000d, concessions available Daily from 7am to 5.30pm

Royal Tombs

Address: Thien Tho Mount, four to ten miles (7-16km) south of Hué Hué

Admission: 55,000d per tomb Daily 7am to 5.30pm

The Perfume River

Address: Hué

Admission: US$3 for a day trip, not including site entrance fees. Evening performances are US$3 to US$5 Evening folksong performances depart at 7pm and 8.30pm daily

DMZ (Demilitarised Zone) and Vinh Moc

Address: Hué

War Remnants Museum

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3 Ho Chi Minh City

Admission: 16,000d Open daily from 7.30am to 11.45am and 1.30pm to 4.15pm

Telephone: (08) 829 5587

Cholon

Address: Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnels

Address: 19 miles (30km) northwest of Ho Chi Minh City at Tay Ninh Ho Chi Minh City

Admission: Daily 7.30am to 4.30pm

Telephone: (08) 794 8820

Mekong Delta

Address: Ho Chi Minh City

Pham Ngu Lau

Address: Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Market

Address: Ho Chi Minh City

Admission: Daily from 8am to 6pm

Cat Ba island

Address: Hanoi

Mui Ne

Address: Ho Chi Minh City

Dam Sen water park

Address: Located in district 11. Ho Chi Minh City

Admission: Open daily

Northwest Loop Adventure Ride

Pho 24

Address: 358 Nguyen Van Linh, District 7 Ho Chi Minh City

Food Type: Local

Al Fresco's

Address: 27 Dong Du, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City

Food Type: American

Lemongrass

Address: 4 Nguyen Thiep St, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City

Food Type: Asian