Sherman's Travel

Vietnam — Vietnam only recently emerged from its war-heavy past but has quickly shot up to the top of Southeast Asian itineraries. Its newfound popularity is hardly surprising; this ancient land is an unparalleled feast for the senses, boasting an incredible array of natural wonders and cultural sights; a vibrant 4000-year history; a melting pot of 83 million people, including 54 ethnic groups; and superbly flavorful cuisine – all in a country that's roughly the size of Italy. Vietnam's brash metropolises of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) reveal the pulse of a country in flux, with the age-old and the brand-new intertwining at every step. The countryside holds more laid-back attractions like floating markets along the Mekong Delta, historic river towns like Hoi An, and limestone isles in Halong Bay.