01 The northern mountains • Vietnam's most impressive mountainscapes offer not just scenic rewards but also the chance to visit an ethnic minority village.

02 Browse the markets • Markets such as Binh Tay are good grazing grounds for snacks such as soups, spring rolls and sticky rice cakes. Try a banana-leaf filled with pâte to keep you going while you shop.

03 Bahnar villages • Spend the night in a communal house (rong) where timeless village ceremonies are performed and important decisions are made.

04 Temples and pagodas • The Vietnamese architectural style is best represented by its temples and pagodas, which reflect the country's diverse range of religions. Ngoc Son on Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is a particularly good example.

05 Shopping • Browse the colourful shops lining the streets in Hanoi to pick up some unusual souvenirs.

06 Traditional music • Music is the most important of all Vietnam's performing arts and a traditional performance should feature on every itinerary.

07 Trekking around Sa Pa • Go trekking in the northern mountains around Sa Pa – a small market town perched on a high plateau facing Fan Si Pan, Vietnam's highest peak.

08 Express silk tailoring • Pick up a bargain at Hoi An market from one of the many tailors who can rustle up a made-to-measure silk dress, suit or even shoes for you in just a few hours.

09 Tet • The most important festival in the Vietnamese calendar, Tet sees the New Year ushered in with colourful flower markets, spectacular fireworks and exuberant dragon dances.

10 Nha Trang • Take a snorkelling trip in the emerald waters of the outlying islands around Nha Trang, followed by a seafood feast on board your boat.

11 The Mekong Delta • Putter through this fertile farming region, surrounded by classic Vietnamese scenery.

12 Cao Dai Cathedral • Vietnam's most charismatic indigenous religion goes in for exuberant architecture, with its Supreme Being symbolized by the all-seeing Eye.

13 Snake wine • Partake of a glass of "snake wine", a snake-laced liquor that's supposedly imbued with all sorts of health-giving properties.

14 Lak Lake • Paddle around the serene waters of Lak Lake in a dug-out canoe, take a guided trek into the surrounding forests and then feast at sunset whilst overlooking the sparkling water.

15 The Red River Delta • Slow the pace down with a trip to the countryside and experience a lifestyle little changed in centuries.

16 The citadel, Hué • The former capital's historic citadel, mausoleums and gardens are idiosyncratic enough to impress even the most jaded traveller.

17 Hon Chong peninsula • Enjoy the Mekong Delta's most attractive palm-fringed beaches, dramatic offshore isles and calm waters.

18 Take a cyclo ride • The quintessential Vietnamese mode of transport gives you a up-close view of street life.

19 Ride the Reunification Express • Sit back and relax as the train slowly chugs its way between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with no shortage of picnic breaks.

20 Chill out on Phu Quoc • Unspoilt beaches lined with coconut trees circle the island. Feel the sand of Bai Sao between your toes or sail south to the unspoilt An Thoi islands for fine swimming in crystal-clear waters.

21 Street food • Soak up the atmosphere at a street kitchen and have your plate piled as high as you like with a selection of fresh food for next to nothing – but get there early for the best choice.

22 Coffee • Vietnam's best coffee grows around the hills of Buon Me Thuot. Drink it the Vietnamese way – strong and short, with a dollop of condensed milk – at one of the quirky cafés scattered all over town.

23 Hoi An • With its rich cultural heritage, beautifully preserved merchants' houses and slow pace of life, Hoi An is a captivating place to spend a few days.

24 Ethnic markets • Spectacular traditional dress and a lively atmosphere make the ethnic minority markets a must – especially those in Bac Ha and Can Cau.

25 Hon Ong (Whale Island) • Take it easy with a stay on this relaxed island that has fabulous views of fine golden sand, aquamarine water and, in season, glimpses of humpback whales and whale sharks swimming in the bay.

26 Cu Chi tunnels • Go underground for a glimpse of tunnel life as experienced by the Viet Cong during the American War.

27 Dambri Waterfalls • Even in the dry season you're guaranteed a drenching at these impressive fifty-metre falls near Da Lat.

28 A boat trip in Ha Long Bay • Navigate the silent waters around the thousands of limestone islands jutting out of the water at Ha Long Bay, dubbed the eighth natural wonder of the world.

29 My Son Cham towers • These battered but beautiful towers near Hoi An are all that remain of the once-powerful Champa kingdom.

30 Bia hoi • Bia hoi bars are fun, friendly, cheap and a great way to mingle with the locals. Order a refreshing glass of bia hoi (lager-like beer) in any of the back lanes in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

31 Colonial architecture • The legacy of French rule can be seen in the Vietnamese fondness for baguettes and, more impressively, the examples of colonial architecture, such as the Hotel de Ville in Ho Chi Minh City.

32 Water-puppets • Enjoy a performance of mua roi nuoc (puppets that dance on the water), an art form developed in the Red River Delta around Hanoi.