Out of all the countries I have travelled to, Vietnam is the most charming. I had an amazing time and love independent travel to Vietnam; it allows you to explore the wonderful towns and cities while being warmly welcomed by all the locals along the way.

Halong Bay was a particular highlight for me. Floating next to the junk boat in the warm, crystal clear water and watching the sun set over the limestone islands was truly wonderful. I often think back to it when the English weather is getting me down.

Another of my favourite places was Hoi An. It is a really special town that has all the charm you would expect from an old fishing port. I remember spending hours sipping iced coffee in a cafe overlooking the river, watching the nearby bustling food market. That was the first time I had seen an authentic Asian market that was not there for tourists. It seemed to sell everything under the sun. Next to the baskets of garlic and piles of spiky cucumbers, there was a table full of old rusty knives and blades!

I’ve got so many great memories of Vietnam and can’t wait to go back for some more independent travel adventures!

I've always been fascinated by Vietnam, maybe it was all those bad 80's videos I watched in my youth. I finally had a month of independent travel to Vietnam in 2001, travelling from Ho Chi Minh City via Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue and Halong Bay to Hanoi, and I wasn't disappointed.

Vietnam is amazing, and easily one of my favourite countries, it just has everything to offer a traveller. From old colonial cities, to quiet beaches, world heritage sites to areas of outstanding natural beauty. 

A big part of travelling for me is the local food, and the cuisine in Vietnam is a wonderful blend of the best Asia has to offer, Pho noodle soup with its fresh herbs, with a few Europe's finest exports left over from its former French colonial days. There are many patisseries serving wonderful delicate cakes of every description washed down with wonderfully fresh coffee, to freshly baked baguettes which can make a nice change to rice.

I really must get round to going again.......
 

I began my obsession with Asia in 2001.

After spending time in India, I flew onwards for my first experience of independent travel to Vietnam and South East Asia in general, and have been back several times since.

My most recent trip was 6 months independent travel to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos, spending time in Nha Trang in Vietnam working with a photographer. This area of Asia has everything, it's hard to leave, and I think anyone lucky enough to travel there and experience it longs to go back...

I'm not really sure what drew me to Vietnam in the first place, but I was absolutely determined to go there. Now I know why. Vietnam has everything- beautiful weather, friendly locals, incredible landscapes, deserted beaches, food to die for, and... erm... karaoke.

I would definitely recommend independent travel to Vietnam. My memories of this magical country range from eating scorpion (not recommended), to drinking beer on the pavement in a monsoon, to watching a load of tuk-tuk drivers sing Celine Dion, to playing football on the beach near Hoi An. There is so much travel to be done and things to see and do that it's impossible to get bored. Halong Bay is, I think, one of the most beautiful places on earth and Hanoi is a fantastic Asian city. If you have time, head for a cocktail in one of the jazz bars in the Old Quarter.

I had to drag myself away from Vietnam, and I can't wait to return. One day I dream about retiring in Hoi An and munching banana pancakes all day.

Vietnam Travel Plan is run by Haydn Wrath.

I left the University of East Anglia in 1984 and escaped what seemed a very grim England by spending the rest of the 1980s travelling independently and working myself round the world. During this time I put in some usual stints as an English teacher in Tokyo, a landscape gardener in Sydney and a tarmac layer's assistant in Alaska. In 1990, I joined Bridge the World Travel Centre in London as manager of the World-wide department, where I was able to put my degree in Politics and Philosophy to good use.

I fulfilled my ambition to set up a specialist travel company in 2001 when I founded Travel Nation, and later in 2007 set up Rickshaw Travel and Vietnam Travel Plan.

I have travelled independently to Vietnam twice over the years, and am always utterly charmed by the people and the atmosphere there. Vietnam has so much going for it that it really can be all things to all people. Also of course, in common with so many other visitors, when in Vietnam, I am in food paradise...especially that beef noodle soup they do....