Good Morning Vietnam: Seven Reasons You Need To Visit This Fascinating Country

For anyone with a grá for travel, a couple of weeks spent soaking in the competing cultures, mouthwatering cuisine, beautiful scenery and fascinating history of Vietnam is a highly rewarding experience.  Travelling from the south to the north of this huge country slowly reveals why the locals consider Ho Chi Minh the 'young boy,' the city of Hue as 'somewhere in the middle,' and Hanoi, the capital in the north, as the 'old man.' The grandeur of the French boulevards in Ho Chi Minh is in stark contrast to the maze of tiny streets and alleys found in the old town of Hanoi. Here are seven reasons you need to put Vietnam on your travel wishlist. And if you're lucky enough to have been there already like we have, let us take you on a trip down memory lane... 1. The hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh Anyone who's visited this incredible city knows that the hilarious (and at times terrifying) experience of trying to cross the road is something that stays with you for life. Home to eight million people and almost half as many motorbikes, this is a city that is going places. In every sense of the word. The locals are energetic, driven and ready to take on the world. The influence of the French can be felt everywhere, from the street names, the architecture, the cuisine and the majestic boulevards. Take in an AO Show in the gorgeous Opera House, visit the powerful War Remnants Museum and splash some cash in the never-ending Ben Thanh market. 2. The watery way of life Mekong Delta From Ho Chi Minh, take a day trip to the Mekong Delta in the Ben Tre Province, one of the most fascinating places in Vietnam. With no major roads in the area, boats, homes, markets and restaurants all float upon the expansive network of rivers, canals and streams. The way of life there is like nothing you'll ever have experienced before. Travel by boat to visit bee farms and watch the locals make coconut candy (at lightning speed!) at various points along the the river. 3. The incredible Ph-ood Traditional Vietnamese dishes are at the same time sour, bitter, sweet, spicy and salty, and the combination of flavours is incredible. From big steaming bowls of Pho soup, to delicious dumplings and fresh spring rolls, Vietnam is a foodie's paradise. With hundreds of great cookery schools dotted throughout the country, taking a class or two is a must for anyone visiting Vietnam. 4. The world-class coffee The Vietnamese take their coffee seriously. Very seriously. The rich coffee culture is evident across Vietnam, with the locals spilling onto the streets in the morning to get their caffeine fix. An hour or two spent enjoying a couple of glasses of iced Vietnamese coffee (ca phe da), chatting to the locals and watching the world go by on Hang Hanh (coffee street) in Hanoi is a must-do for any coffee lover. 5. The heavenly city of Hoi An Lanterns, lanterns and more beautiful lanterns. One of the world's prettiest cities, a couple of days spent strolling around the gorgeous old town of Hoi An is a must. Get a decent spot at one of the top class cafés or restaurants along the river to see the sunset and watch as the sea of latterns light up. Soak up the leisurely pace of life - you'll be glad of it after the madness of Ho Chi Minh. 6. The never-ending beach in Da Nang After the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh, and the dreaminess of Hoi An, a trip to the beautiful My Khe beach in Da Nang offers visitors of Vietnam yet another diverse landscape to breathe in. Check in to a beach resort and soak up the sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise waters. Bliss. 7. The magic of Halong Bay Halong translates as ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’, and legend claims the islands of Halong Bay were created by a great dragon from the mountains. Nestled off the northern coast of Vietnam, Halong Bay is made up of thousands of limestone karsts and islands in a myriad of shapes and sizes. Spend a night or two on a cruise and wake up in paradise to explore the floating villages.   This article is brought to you by GrabOne. Get an extra 10% off cruises, European Christmas markets, breaks to Vietnam (including this incredible trip) and more exotic locations this weekend only on GrabOne.ie. Also keep an eye out for their €25,000 #GOlifestyle giveaway coming soon.