This narrow part of Vietnam is home to some of the country’s most colourful and vibrant areas. Furthest north and sitting on the beautiful Perfume River is Hue, the ancient Imperial Capital. Home to 13 Nguyen emperors whose palaces and tombs provide insight into the secretive world of the court, today visitors may explore the pavilions of this Citadel wander through ancient garden houses or feast on delicacies once served in the royal palaces. One of the most scenic drives in Vietnam over the Hai Van pass, leads to the buzzing city of Danang, with its tree lined boulevards, beaches and restaurants. It is also home to the Cham Museum, where visitors can learn about the Champa people and the other various ethnic minorities in the region. Just 20 minutes further south is the riverside town of Hoi An which once drew merchants from around the globe who brought silk, spices and porcelain and it still retains remnants of its trading days as evident in the bustling market and tailors shops. Today its Old Quarter has been beautifully preserved, the streets still lined with old tile-roofed shop houses, shady pagodas and colourful communal halls, earning it the status as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hoi An is close to deserted beaches and is surrounded by attractive countryside where you can observe the traditional way of life of farmers and fishermen.