Visit Vietnam: City lights, Mekong nights, island vibes!

The long wait is finally over. Your heart beats faster and faster, and your plane to Vietnam is ready for take-off. As you jet off through the sky at full throttle, countless stars twinkle with the promise that your next couple of weeks in this incredible country will be packed with excitement. You lay back, close your eyes and dream one last time about all the adventures before they finally come true!

After a night above the clouds, it's time to say 'Xin chào (hello), Vietnam'! You've finally arrived in one of the most beautiful countries in Asia, full of lively cities, picturesque rivers and a vibrant culture. At long last, your dreams have become reality; 'Vietnam, here I am!' As soon as you land, the largest city in the country – home to an incredible eight million people – welcomes you with a colourful explosion of colonial architecture, French influences, modern skyscrapers and tons of honking scooters darting through the streets. It's a sensory overload à la Vietnam – and a true change of scenery!

As you make your way to your new home from home, you excitedly observe your surroundings. The lively commotion on the streets is simply captivating. After check-in, it's time to settle in, put your feet up and relax. Or maybe you'd like to jump right back into the hustle and bustle? If so, and if you're looking for the best place to soak up Ho Chi Minh City's vibes, you'll want to head to the Ben Thanh Market, where hundreds of stalls sell everything your heart could desire plus a little bit more – delicious street food, too, of course!

Ready for a day chock-full of discovery? Then hop to it! Start your self-made city tour at the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, which tells the story of the city's French colonial history. Right next door, you'll find the old post office, which is one of the most impressive colonial buildings in the city and is still in operation. Pop inside and send a postcard or two in style! Want to delve deeper into the history of the city and the country? Then stop by the War Remnants Museum, where you'll find more than 20,000 documents and exhibits – as well as tanks and aircraft – that tell the story of Vietnam's various wars. Feel like something more colourful? Then check out the cute cafés around Tan Dinh Church and soak up some green energy in Le Van Tam Park!

Ben Thanh Market is a must-see in Ho Chi Minh City. So if you haven't visited yet, then now's the best time to do it. It's not for nothing that it's one of the city's iconic highlights. You could also wander through Chinatown in District 5. Even more chaotic, even busier and even louder, the narrow, winding streets of the Chinese-influenced district are the complete opposite of the spruced-up colonial-era buildings. The Thien Hau Pagoda is another absolute must-see. Even though the temple looks rather inconspicuous from the outside, it's worth having a look inside (optional, entrance fee payable on site). When you do, you'll be met with the scent of the spiraling incense hanging from the ceiling and surrounded by red lanterns and traditional decorations everywhere you look.