The Word Ha Noi

Less than two hours from Hanoi, the former French hill station offers a welcome, fresh air break from the stresses of the capital. Words by Elisabeth Rosen. Photos by Nick Ross

If the Hanoi winter chill is not enough reason to get out of the capital for a few days during this holiday season, then Exotissimo’s January travel options will have you packing.

If you need something to boast about, try the fact that Vietnam now boasts three of the world’s top hotels. That’s right, the Nam Hai in Hoi An, Hanoi’s Sofitel Metropole and the Park Hyatt Saigon all made the cut to appear in the Travel and Leisure magazine’s annual compendium of the top 500 international hotels.

North Korea feels frozen in time. It lies somewhere between a 1930s Soviet Union and a futuristic vision of society, as imagined back in the 1970s.

Intrepid Travel Vietnam is doing promotions on four of their unique urban adventure tours.