South

The South is a young, open land: from bustling Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, out to the islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao and down to the Ca Mau peninsula, the southernmost tip of the mainland.

Ho Chi Minh City is the gateway to the region: colonial architecture stands alongside tower blocks and night markets; in just a few hours you can reach the sea at Vung Tau or Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh.

The Mekong Delta is a land of water: the Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho, the coconut groves of Ben Tre, the river islands near My Tho, the Tra Su melaleuca forest near Chau Doc and the mangroves of Ca Mau. Gliding by boat along the canals and stopping in orchards and at local homes is still the best way to understand the rhythm of life in the delta.

Offshore, Phu Quoc offers white sandy beaches and sunsets over the sea, while Con Dao has wild nature and many historic sites. The South is sunny all year round: the dry season, from December to April, is the best time to go; the rainy season (May – November) often amounts to no more than short afternoon showers.