Vietnam
Vietnam – the “Land of the Ascending Dragon” buzzes with both rich tradition and contemporary allure. Imperial palaces and Buddhist temples sit alongside colorful markets and bustling cafes. The country’s distinctive regions are best connected by private jets, scenic bike rides, and walks through historic villages.
Most trips start or end in Hanoi, in the north, or Saigon, in the south. Having long earned well deserved comparisons to Paris due to its French Colonial architecture, Hanoi’s Old Quarter offers some of the best “pho” in the country as well as shopping along narrow streets dedicated to specific traditional crafts. All mere steps from the historic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi or the more modern Capella. Must do’s include Hanoi’s 1,000-year-old Temple of Literature and its vibrant art scene, a stroll down Train Street in search of the perfect Banh Mi, and an evening walk along Hoan Kiem Lake.
North of Hanoi lies Ha Long Bay made famous in the movie Indochine. This UNESCO World Heritage site, made up of 3,000 islands in the Gulf of Tonkin, is dominated by limestone karts, wind-carved grottoes and secluded beaches. Take a private yacht or kayak among the towering formations. Locals who live on floating villages will pass by in thung chais, basket fishing boats made of woven bamboo strips and sealed with pitch.
An hour’s flight south of Hanoi, picturesque Hội An is one of Vietnam’s oldest port towns. Another World Heritage Site, the town features 16th century merchant homes, historic wooden bridges and pagodas connected by narrow, ancient streets. The Nam Hai, nestled under 4,500 coconut trees on a long private beach, continues to wow as both a wellness retreat and a base for exploring Hoi An’s old fishing villages. Gray & Co. travellers evade the tourist crowds by boating, cycling and walking out to nearby islands that feel a world – and centuries – away. Bike alongside school kids dressed in traditional áo dài. Meanwhile, My Khe Beach, one of the world’s most beautiful, is just a spin away in nearby bustling Danang, Vietnam’s new center for the arts.
Further south, down the coast, lies the new Zannier beach resort at Bãi San Hô set amongst the powdery white sand beaches. Nearby Núi Chúa National Park features a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that’s home to the rare Tibetan and Malayan sun bear. Within the reserve lies Aman’s Amanoi, a stylish clifftop resort.
Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City but still affectionately called Saigon by locals, is a city that never sleeps. This vibrant metropolis serves as the gateway to the Mekong River Delta, where you can cycle along peaceful country lanes and explore the region’s traditional houseboats. The Park Hyatt Saigon enjoys a prime location just steps from Nguyen Hue Street, a lively pedestrian boulevard that stretches to the Saigon River. Nearby, pop into Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, a multi-storied pagoda that stands as a reminder of Vietnam’s 1,000-year history under Chinese rule before exploring the labyrinth of Ben Tanh Market, a sprawling traditional market founded in the 17th-century and a culinary paradise of national dishes.
