Vietnam, the latest tourist destination in Southeast Asia to awake from its slumber, is blessed with a bountiful harvest of soaring mountains and lush rice fields. But don’t believe the hype, and take the airbrushed tourism advertisement at face value. Vietnam has way more interesting destinations to offer.

For those who love a healthy blend of East and West, there’s no better way to kick off your vacation than visiting the captivating capital of Hanoi in the North, where smoky French-style cafes are located cheek by jowl with traditional stores hawking almost anything.

From here, fool-proof trips for travelers include Halong Bay, where picturesque limestone karsts win over the heart of everyone, and the former French hill station of Sapa, where hill tribes in colorful costumes working in terraced rice paddies add an exotic piece to the mosaic called Vietnam.

In Central Vietnam, the imperial capital of Hue offers a glimpse into yesteryear and the feeling of intellectual, cultural and spiritual heartbeat, while Hoi An is certain to weigh you down in a good way with its charisma of a 17th century major international ports and roughly 400 skilled tailors working in this fashionista heaven.

From there, adventurous travelers can head further south and inland to the off the beaten track Central Highlands region, where ethnic minorities still live traditionally in the Highlands, in harmony with the relatively untouched forests, waterfalls and spectacular scenery.

The country’s southern capital of Ho Chi Minh City is a throbbing metropolis that offers everything you want, from the finest hotels to the cheapest guesthouses, the classiest restaurants to the most humble street stalls, the designer boutiques to the scrums of the markets.

To escape the buzz of millions of motorbikes, head west to the watery landscape of green fields and sleepy villages in the Mekong Delta to savor particular delights exclusively made for the intrepid travelers. Sublime PhuQuoc Island is another excellent retreat, lapped by turquoise blue water and wealth of sea life.

Vietnam has it all. Believe your senses, as you will discover one of the most enriching, enlivening and exotic countries on earth. Vietnam will rightfully and magically deliver.