Celebrate Hanoi's 1000th Birthday: The ancient but still vibrant city of Hanoi will celebrate its 1000th anniversary in 2010, with a host of festivals and activities that won't be limited to the Vietnamese capital itself. Rich in history, Hanoi offers an intriguing and interesting experience at any time - but this year will be something special! Story by Lee Mylne

Heavenly Hue: Riding a motorbike, bicycle or cyclo through Vietnam’s vehicular mayhem is not something worth contemplating in any other Vietnamese city, like Hanoi or Saigon, where just making it across the road in one piece is cause for jubilation, but Hue hums to a different beat, especially on National Duck Killing Day. Story by Lee Atkinson

Phu Quoc Island: Once a prison island, Phu Quoc is fast becoming one of the most-talked-about "secret" places of Vietnam. Just an hour's flight from Saigon, this large island in the Gulf of Thailand is being eyed by resort developers. Get there fast to discover simple fishing villages, sandy beaches, great snorkelling and more. Story by Lee Mylne

Ho Chi Minh City: The spirit of Ho Chi Minh may be alive and well in the city that bears his name, but to most people it is still - and always will be - Saigon. Fast and fun, this is a city where things change rapidly - and where even crossing the road is a heart-stopping adventure. Jump on the back of a scooter "taxi" for the ride of your life in Saigon's hectic traffic.
Story by Lee Mylne

Measuring Up in Hoi An: In the tailor shops of Hoi An's Le Loi Street, tiny women wielding tape measures will whip up anything you want in a matter of hours. Dresses, shirts, trousers and jackets in your choice from a bewildering array of silks and other fabrics will almost magically appear. Much of what you buy is so cheap it is almost unbelievable, bearing in mind of course that often what you get is what you pay for. A useful Vietnamese phrase to learn before shopping may be “ Oi troi oi! ”, delivered with appropriately shocked expression. It means “Oh my God!”, and is, we're told by our local guide, useful when bargaining. Story by Lee Mylne

Good eating guide to Vietnam: There’s lots of reasons to go Vietnam.  You can go for the incredible scenery.  You can go for the fantastic shopping at bargain prices.  You can go to revisit the battlegrounds of the war.  You can go to meet and mix with the friendly locals not yet jaded by too much tourism.  But if you ask me, the best reason to go is for the food. Story by Lee Atkinson

Where Dragons Sleep: Halong Bay is one of the world's natural wonders, with 3000 sculpted limestone outcrops jutting from the turquoise sea. Sail through this almost mystical setting and its easy to believe in the legend that says this landscape was carved by a dragon who sank into the sea. Story by Lee Mylne

Heritage City: Set on the Thu Ban River , the village of Hoi An has been listed as a World Heritage cultural site for its efforts to preserve its eclectic mix of Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, French and Vietnamese architecture. Its interesting buildings reflect Hoi An's colourful history as one of the most important trade ports of southern Asia from the 15 th to the 19 th century. Story by Lee Mylne

The Imperial City: Once the home of the Nguyen kings, the central Vietnamese city of Hue is a place of gardens, palaces and lotus blossoms, set on the banks of the Perfume River. Story by Lee Mylne

Hanoi's Old Quarter: Exploring the maze of streets and laneways which make up Hanoi's Old Quarter is one of the best ways to discover what makes this elegant capital tick. The 36 Streets have been the heart of Hanoi since the 13th century, each named for the merchandise sold there...silk, paper, tin, bamboo, cloth, shoes, hats and so on. Story by Lee Mylne

Island of Ghosts: Con Son Island, say the locals, has a population of 22,000 - the two thousand who live here now and the ghosts of 20,000 who have died here. This idyllic spot, about 200km off the coast from Vung Tau, has a long and grisly history as one of Vietnam's harshest prisons. From the chilling "tiger cages" to the museum dedicated to the many incarcerated here, much has been preserved of the place once called "hell on Earth". Story by Lee Mylne