Vietnam has long been known as a culinary powerhouse, where the best food is slurped out of bowls and enjoyed on low plastic stools. Fans of the cuisine flock to the urban jungles of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to run wild among the varied street vendors. But Vietnam’s diversity isn’t limited to its culinary portfolio – this country is more varied and complex than even its best Bún bò Huế. At its core, it is a tale of two cities: historic Hanoi and have-a-go Ho Chi Minh City. Despite their storied past, these former wartime rivals are moving forcefully into a bright future. As you navigate between the two, explore the mountainous rice terraces, white-sand beaches, jungles, hill-tribe villages, and sculpted limestone islands. Whatever you choose to get into, Vietnam is guaranteed to make you feel alive.
