Saigon

Once the seat of power for the South Vietnamese government during the American war, Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City as it is officially known) is a fast-developing metropolis and is very much the pulsing heart and soul of the country. Like so many cities in a globalising world, tradition coexists with rapid modernisation. The gentle flow of Tai Chi practised in the parks seems surreal as the rest of the city buzzes all around and women in their Ao Dais whiz by on their mopeds. Lively local markets can be found here as well as upmarket boutique shops and trendy bars and restaurants. It is possible to arrange trips to the tunnels of Cu Chi nearby or perhaps a boat trip deep into the Mekong Delta.