Vietnam is a changing world; when once it was devastated by war, it’s now a favourited travel destination in South East Asia and the tourism industry has developed so much over the last decade. Family travel has never been easier and being such a hands-on country, it’s very easy to plan an activities based holiday to suit all ages. Halong Bay is a great place for outdoor adventures and boat cruises can give you the ultimate cherry pick tour of the country’s top locations, whilst Hanoi is filled with museums, galleries and landmarks to entertain and educate. Travelling with kids in Vietnam is generally considered to be very safe and the most popular beach destinations will always have lifeguards.

Other than the mind-blowing scenery and pristine beaches, local cuisine is where Vietnam really excels. Of all the street food destinations of Asia, Vietnam always comes up tops with travellers. Flavour, fragrance and fresh ingredients are the key factors of Vietnamese cooking and the mix of spices can be incredibly complex with sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty and earthy all working in harmony to strike perfectly balanced dishes. If you ask any local chef, they will tell you that it’s all about the yin and yang, and taste equilibrium is very much the Vietnamese philosophy. Dishes you have to try are Gỏi cuốn pork rice paper rolls, the famous Banh Mi baguette, Banh Xeo sizzling pancakes, classic Pho noodles, Cao Lau spiced pork noodles, Com Tam broken rice, and Hanoi’s speciality of Bun Cha grilled meat served on a bed of noodles.

Local culture takes on a mix of Chinese influences as well as influences from the West. French colonialism, commonly known as French Indochina, took place between the years of 1887 and 1954 and evidence of this can still be seen today intermingled into every culture. Colonial architecture can be found in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (both have their own French Quarters) and culinary influences have added a Euro-twist to national dishes such as the Banh Mi baguette or Bún Ốc snail noodles; a real fusion of the nations. The great cultural diversity has cultivated a nation of friendly, welcoming people and anyone who travels to Vietnam. Some people will tell you that they are as cheeky as they charming – so beware of being overcharged or ripped off!