It’s no secret that as West Australians, we love a good Southeast Asian getaway, and we’re undoubtedly creatures of habit when it comes to returning to the same countries. However, Southeast Asia is home to far more than just our familiar favourites. It’s a region dripping in rich cultures, sweeping landscapes, and destinations that deserve to be found, explored, and added to the favourites list. Vietnam is one of them.
On the eastern edge of Southeast Asia, Vietnam sprawls along the land, its emerald shores hugging the Pacific Ocean. Slender yet vast, this country encompasses it all, from deep valleys to historic enclaves, and hushed mountains to bustling cities. Dotted with Michelin-starred restaurants, ancient temples, and vibrant markets, Vietnam is a tapestry of life and culture where the past and present intertwine like lovers.
While one trip could never uncover all this country has to give, certain destinations serve up more than just a satisfying taste. From serene mountain towns to cities that pulse with energy, here are four key places to go if you’re looking to uncover the essence of Vietnam — and how to seamlessly get there from Perth with Vietnam Airlines.
Hanoi: An Ancient City with a Modern Heartbeat
Home to tradition, modern life and a strong French influence that weaves through the city’s architecture and leafy, tree-lined boulevards, Vietnam’s buzzing capital, Hanoi, is a place where the past lingers just below the surface. An aromatic street food scene, sacred pagodas, and the famous Train Street lie at the heart of what makes this hazy city so beloved by visitors.
At the edge of the tangled streets of the Old Quarter — best experienced on an iconic Vietnamese Cyclo tour — and the tranquil Hoàn Kiếm Lake sits the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, a 50-year-old cultural experience that deserves a spot on every traveller’s itinerary. Just as essential is a late-night stop at one of the city’s most vibrant and wonderfully chaotic areas, Tạ Hiện Street, affectionately known as “Hanoi Beer Street”. Here, chatter and music fill the air as plastic stools spill out of the surrounding bars onto the street, and crowds of locals and tourists toast over a Bia Hơi (fresh beer), beneath the glow of the neon lights.
Sapa: A Serene Escape Among Vietnam’s Alps
Deep within the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains of northwestern Vietnam, rests Sapa, a town kissed by mist-shrouded skies and cradled by lush, terraced rice fields. Though just a scenic six-hour drive from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, Sapa feels a world away. Home to several unique ethnic groups, it’s a must-visit for nature lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and those in search of a more serene side to this country. Often described as the ‘Switzerland of Vietnam’, the town carries the charm of an alpine village with cool temperatures and panoramic, verdant mountain vistas.
There’s a quiet beauty to Sapa, unlike anything I’ve found elsewhere. The air is crisp and fresh as I walk along the winding paths, comfortably reminded of my smallness by the towering mountains that rise around me. Time slows, and the world falls quiet, except for the crunch of gravel underfoot, the gentle trickle of a hidden waterfall, and the distant laughter of children echoing through the valley.
If you’re going to embark on a trek in Sapa, expect to be joined by local Vietnamese women who walk beside you, sometimes in comfortable silence, other times sharing stories and insights, making this journey more than just scenic.
If trekking isn’t your style, don’t skip Sapa. Instead, take the funicular up to Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina, and walk amongst the clouds, taking in the lush valley from above.
Hoi An: A Town Paused in the Magic of Time
Walking along the cobblestone streets of Hoi An is like stepping back in time to someplace magical, a place bathed in golden hues where mustard-yellow shop fronts line one side of the road, and on the other, the Hoai River glimmers beneath the sun scattered with sampans (small, flat bottomed wooden boat) gliding by.
Somehow, after the last light fades from the sky, Hoi An becomes even more dreamlike. As night greets the town, the streets come alive with vibrant lanterns that hang above like floating jewels. In the river, candle-lit lanterns drift gently across the water, as people release them in the act of making a wish or letting go of past troubles, a Vietnamese tradition.
Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its remarkable preservation and authenticity. Old-world architecture is the heart of this unhurried town, where street food, night markets and custom tailoring add to the unique charm.
Besides wandering through time and immersing yourself in the beauty and rarity of such a place, a must-do while in Hoi An is the Teh Dar Show — a performance that brings to life the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam’s Southwest Highlands, fusing storytelling with a mesmerising Vietnamese bamboo circus that will linger long after you’ve left.
Ho Chi Minh: The City That Never Sleeps
Chaotic yet refined, Ho Chi Minh City is a place of unexpected glamour where modern skyscrapers meet traditional alleyways, perched on the banks of the Saigon River. Rooftop bars and boutique coffee shops set the scene for this city that stays awake long into the night.
I walk along a humid, neon-lit street one evening in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. To my surprise, I stroll past coffee shop after coffee shop, each packed with customers spilling out onto the chairs and tables that line the road. It’s 9:00 pm on a Sunday, and coffee shops are not just open, they’re thriving. If anything, this scene perfectly captures the feeling Ho Chi Minh City carries, one where life is lived abundantly and on one’s own terms.
The Ben Thanh Markets are a must-see, and the maze of colourful stalls is certainly not for the faint-hearted. History also comes alive along the streets of Ho Chi Minh, with landmarks like the Saigon Post Office and the War Remnants Museum, offering a glimpse into Vietnam’s rich history.
Getting There With Vietnam Airlines
Getting to Vietnam from Perth hasn’t always been effortless; however, with Vietnam Airlines direct flights from Perth to Ho Chi Minh City, it’s never been more seamless. The flight, which takes approximately six hours, departs Perth three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. There’s no reason travelling here should be deemed more inaccessible than other areas of Southeast Asia, because it isn’t.
Once you’re in Vietnam, getting around the country with the airline is a breeze, with easy connections to all major and many minor destinations.
Named one of the world’s safest airlines, Vietnam Airlines is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, so if you have points with Virgin Australia, Qantas, or Air New Zealand, you might be closer to Vietnam than you think.
Treat Yourself to Business Class
Vietnam Airlines provides one of the most affordable ways to experience Business Class, without needing to compromise on any of the luxuries. Going to Vietnam for a special occasion, or just feel like treating yourself? With Vietnam Airlines Business Class, you get to experience the best of what luxury in the sky looks like, aka lie-flat seats, priority boarding, gourmet meals and first-class service without having to spend a fortune. Business Class passengers also have access to the Aspire Lounge departing Perth Airport and the Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge when departing Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam Airlines will take care of the journey, all you need to do is decide which destination, so why not all of them?
Kyla travelled on a PR trip as a guest of Vietnam Airlines.
