HIGHLIGHTS

In the southern tip of Vietnam are many of the country’s stand-out attractions and easily fodder to some of my favorite travel experiences anywhere on the globe.

SAIGON

TU & TUAN’s: Northern-style food in hidden-away Tu & Tuan’s
CHOLON: Markets and pagodas in Saigon’s ‘Chinatown’
‘VIETNAM WAR’ SITES: including the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum in north District One or Cu Chi Tunnels outside town
STARING, WITH COFFEE: Staring in Saigon from a street-side vantage point, preferably with Trung Nguyen coffee
WAY OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK: A day in Saigon’s totally off-the-beaten-track District 11
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MEKONG DELTA & BEACHES

Floating Market, near Vinh LongHOMESTAYS: Near Vinh Long, Mekong Delta
FOOD: Canh chua (sweet-and-sour fish soup) in Chau Doc, Mekong Delta
BIKE TRIPS: A bike trip alongside river canals in Mekong villages
PHU QUOC: North Phu Quoc Island’s out-of-the-way bungalows and beaches
MUI NE DUNES: A slide down golden sand dunes at Mui Ne beach, north of Saigon
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PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

BIRDS!: A day trip from Chau Doc to see virtually off-the-radar Tra Su Bird Sanctuary — not included in any guidebooks
PING PONG LESSON: It’s all in how you h old the paddle; learn how from a former champ in Saigon
HA TIEN DAYTRIP: A motorcycle guide going to cave temples, beaches and sand-floor squid shacks around Ha Tien in a rarely visited corner of the Mekong Delta