Most countries in South East Asia are extremely safe to travel in. Travelling alone is also quite normal, safe and although you are likely to be targeted more by touts, it doesn’t put you in any actual danger.

Women travelling alone in Vietnam are not any more susceptible to any crime or nuisance than any other person. As long as common sense is exercised in all situations, most travellers don’t experience any problems.

A single woman without a wedding ring may be questioned by locals about her marital status, often leading to pitying looks. This can get boring, but it is innocent and just intrinsic to Vietnamese culture.

Violent crime is low in Vietnam, but caution should always be taken. You should lock your bedroom door and not open it to any other than staff. Walking along dark streets at night or hitchhiking is not recommended, similar to any country.

All visitors should carry their bag on the side facing away from the road, as there have been incidences of bags being snatched by passing motorbike drivers.

Men may whistle at woman in the street, but it rarely followed up by anything. If you go to a bar or a club, make sure you keep an eye on your drink. Generally, using your common sense alone should keep you safe in Vietnam.

Wherever you travel in the world there are things that simply must be ticked off the experience list while there. Whether it’s braving a tuk tuk ride in Bangkok, or sinking a pint of velvety Guinness in Dublin, there are experiences we simply must try while we have the opportunity.

Here is your check list for essential experiences in Vietnam:

Try some street food: it doesn’t have to be anything as adventurous as fried bugs or blood soup, stick to noodles, rice or sweet snacks. Some of the best food is found at street side stalls and small markets. Always check of the vendor looks presentable, as it is usually a good indication of how hygienic his set-up is.

Allow yourself to get lost in markets: Ben Thanh Market in Saigon is the best place to hunt for bargains. The atmosphere at markets is usually electric, so even if you don’t plant to buy anything you can still enjoy the experience.

See the Water Puppets in Hanoi: the city’s top attraction definitely isn’t overrated. The show is simply magical, and even though you aren’t likely to understand the dialogue it doesn’t seem to matter.

Take a white knuckle ride: you don’t need a fairground, to get a buzz in Vietnam. Whether it’s in the narrow lanes, or broad highway, taking a trip in any form of vehicle in Vietnam is often a heart stopping experience. All part of the adventure!

Visitors arriving in Vietnam have so many sights to see, and ground to cover. The entire country is steeped in history and culture, which is often illustrated by its eclectic architectural styles.

Here is a short guide to some of the best architectural landmarks:

The Cao Dai Holy See: this is the spiritual seat of the Cao Dai religion, which is a unique contemporary faith. Here you can experience a vibrant display of coloured mosaics and eye-catching painting. Followers don white turbans and dress for the daily procession.

Tomb of Kai Dinh: The pompous emperor left behind a tomb that features a mix of baroque, Gothic, and classical Chinese architecture. It is a unique sight, well worth experiencing.

The Tunnels of Cu Chi and Vinh Moc: Both sites feature an extensive network of tunnels used during the war. Despite their narrow size and dire conditions, the tunnels served many purposes, and had medical facilities and meeting rooms on site.

Hoa Lo Prison: This compound was home to many US pilots during the War, including Senator John McCain. Although a chunk of the site was cleared to make way for an office block, parts of the prison are still intact and visitors can gain insight into the gruesome brutality of the war.

Reunification Palace: The Prime Minister’s Palace made international news in 1975 when tanks crashed through the gates, signifying the end of the Vietnam War.

Vietnam is emerging as an exotic holiday destination thanks to a number of stunning beaches and lively resorts. The powdery sand and crystal clear water is a major draw card attracting both sun seekers and water sports enthusiasts.

There are a number of areas along the country’s coastline which are growing in popularity as beach resorts. The location you choose will ultimately depend on your individual preferences, as throughout Vietnam it is possible to find accommodation to suit every budget.

Nha Trang is a popular choice, although it can seem a little overrun at times, especially during the busy peak season. The city itself, has a few sights worth a visit, although is mainly a market town. The beach area is peppered with stylish resorts, but Nha Trang’s best offering has got to be its incredibly delicious seafood.

Phu Quoc Island offers a delectable blend of pristine beaches and verdant forests. The interior of the island is heavily wooded, with some breathtaking displays of nature; while the perimeter features long stretches of sand and surf. The island has avoided development up until now, so should be top of your must-see list before the bulldozers set sail.

Mui Ne Beach, Phan Thiet, is just a few hours drive from the city of Saigon, and offers a welcome escape from the chaos of the city. Attractions in the area include a golf course designed by Nick Faldo, remote sand dunes, fishing villages and some of the best seafood restaurants around.

The coastal city of Nha Trang is a popular tourist resort. Tourists flock to the area to bask in the glorious sun and enjoy a range of activities. Blessed with pristine beaches and sparkling water, Nha Trang is a beach lover’s paradise.

The water’s fantastic visibility allows scuba divers to experience an equally captivating underwater world. The area receives a mix of visitors, including backpackers. Nha Trang is dominated by resort-style accommodation; however, budget options are also available.

Tran Phu Street, otherwise know as the Pacific Coast Highway of Vietnam’, is the town’s most beautiful street, while Hon Tre Island is home to one of the area’s most exclusive resorts.

Nha Trang offers its visitors an exhaustive list of activities, most of which are water based. Scuba diving, snorkelling and island hopping are among the favourites. The area often welcomes luxury cruise passengers, and is also a stopover for those attending the annual yacht races in Hong Kong.

Visitors can try some of the country’s best seafood in Nha Trang, as well as bird’s nest soup. The nests are collected from around the island and also in the town centre. This soup is considered one of the best in Vietnam.

Nha Trang isn’t party central, but there are areas were the candle burns into the wee hours. Biet Thu is the main tourist district and is the best bet for nocturnal activities.

In 1994, the population of Vietnam was estimated to be 73 million, making the country South East Asia’s second largest country. Indonesia is the region’s largest, with a population of 191 million. Vietnam is the thirteenth most populous country in the world.

Ethnically, the country is the most homogenous country in South East Asia, as around 90 percent of the population are Vietnamese. However, there are a large number of ethnic minorities in Vietnam, mainly residing in the mountainous areas.

Around 85 percent of this ethnic minority population belong to indigenous groups, who settled in the hills many centuries ago. The most prominent groups are the Thai and Hmong tribes.

Unlike Burma and Indonesia, Vietnamese ethnic minorities are not strong enough to claim their own sovereign states.

Around one million ethnic Chinese live in the south of Vietnam. Chinese inhabitants face restrictions since the Communist takeover. This is mainly due to the dominant role they played in the capitalist economic system before the takeover. Between 1978 and 1979, more than 450,000 Chinese inhabitants left the country.

Many minority groups speak their own language, and French is still spoken by older inhabitants but is fading rapidly. English is quite popular and is obligatory in most schools.

Despite rapid development, Vietnam manages to retain its rich cultural heritage and sublime natural beauty. Even the big noisy cities such as Hanoi and Saigon, possess undeniable character and charm.

Tourism has undoubtedly affected the mountain towns and ethnic villages in the north; however, they are still worth visiting. Most visitors stick to the main tourist hubs, but straying off the trodden tourist trail can be incredibly rewarding.

The coastal town of Ha Tien is situated on the Gulf of Thailand, just five miles from Vietnam’s border with Cambodia. The town’s cluster of limestone rock formations create a network of caves, which are home to a series of temples. The surrounding region is also incredibly scenic with white sandy beaches, sparkling water and picturesque fishing villages.

The Western Central Highlands are located along the border with Cambodia and Laos, and receives few visitors. The region’s diverse agriculture and multitude of ethnic groups provide a fascinating landscape for exploration.

Dien Bien Phu nestling in Muong Thanh Valley is one of Vietnam’s most remote areas. The landscape features steep mountains covered in thick carpet of vegetation and are inhabited by the famous Tai and Hmong hill tribes. It is also the site of an important battle and a small museum depicts the story of Vietnam’s fight against colonial forces.

Cat Ba Island lies 19 miles east of Haiphong. The island is a tropical wilderness of evergreen forests, mangroves, lakes, waterfalls, caves and secluded beaches. An abundance of wildlife enjoy life on this paradiscial island including monkeys, boars, deer and squirrels, while the clear waters are home to fish, molluscs, seals and dolphins.

Bargaining is a little daunting for first time visitors to Vietnam; back home everything has a price tag and the numbers aren’t there for negotiation. In Vietnam, even on the odd occasion when an item has a price tag, the numbers are not the final figure.

Westerners are naturally hesitant when negotiating their first few purchases, but once the code of conduct has been cracked, the fun begins! It’s acceptable to bargain almost everywhere in Vietnam, with the exception of restaurants or large commercial stores.

Rooms, buses, cyclos, market goods, guides can all be bargained; however, you must ask when arranging the service, otherwise you will be responsible for the full payment. Always smile and keep your cool, even if you know the price offered is ridiculous, anger and frustration will spoil the fun and will get you nowhere.

If the first price offered by the vendor is very high, laugh in astonishment, this shows the vendor you know the fair price of the goods. After this, offer a price well below what you would expect to pay, to give you some room for manoeuvre. Don’t take this to the extreme though, as the vendor will think you don’t know the item’s actual worth.

If you feel you aren’t making progress, bid the vendor farewell and slowly walk away, this usually ensures another two reductions. If the price still seems too high and you are with a partner, you can explain that they control the purse strings and they won’t pay the price.

You will get the best results if you remain courteous, friendly but firm. Try to educate yourself beforehand, so you have an idea of the fair price. Sometimes a handicrafts feature intricacies that took time and effort to create, or the item is made from high quality materials. Most importantly, never make the vendor ‘loose face’, this is their livelihood and they don’t consider it ‘ripping you off’.

Remember the goal is to find the best price for both of you, so keep it lighthearted. If the vendor likes you, you will get a better deal.

Shopping on holiday is not only fun, but a great way to take away a little piece of treasure from your destination. Vietnam is one huge shopping arena, with bargains galore on every other street. Some areas of Vietnam specialize in a particular type of product, so it is worth taking time to compare prices and see the whole range.

The best bets in Vietnam are handicrafts, war souvenirs, clothing, jewellery and art. Shoppers should avoid imported brand name clothing, electronics and perfume, as these items are more expensive in Vietnam than neighboring countries.

Buying art and antiques is a risky business, aside from the strict regulations regarding their export, most pieces are fakes or reproductions. Shoppers should ask to see a certificate if a dealer claims an item is an authentic piece.

Many female visitors get measured up for the traditional costume of Vietnam called ‘ao dai’. This makes a fantastic souvenir, and the skilled tailors will create a gown that fits you like a dream. Gemstones are also a great buy, and are found at large retailers as well as independent outlets.

Unfortunately most of the war paraphernalia are fake reproductions. You can still find some quality items but be wary of vendors selling ‘authentic’ goods at steep prices, as their authenticity is usually highly questionable.

A wide variety of handicrafts can be found in shops, markets and stores throughout Vietnam. The range usually includes laquerware, wooden goods, bamboo products and leatherworks. If you are looking for ethnic minority handicrafts, Hanoi is the best place to shop as it is close to the villages where the goods are crafted.