British female journalist reveals the allure of exploring Vietnam.

"I wanted to go somewhere with great weather, fascinating culture, delicious food, and friendly people, plus many other unique things to experience in a week, so I chose Vietnam. I started my trip from Ho Chi Minh City, through the Mekong Delta, and to the island of Phu Quoc," said CNBC travel reporter Lucy Handley.

Before arriving in Vietnam, Lucy had been warned about the traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh City, a city with a population of approximately 9 million. As the plane descended and the city's skyscrapers became visible at night, Lucy saw the lights of hundreds of motorbikes whizzing through the streets. She was captivated by the vibrant colors and bustling pace of life in this city.

Later, Lucy joined a walking tour. The group of 12 people, including the guide, met at Nguyen Hue Street in Ben Nghe Ward. Along the way, the guide pointed to a sign on the roof of the nearby Rex Hotel that read: "Five o'clock follies," reminiscent of the 5 p.m. press briefings held by the US military during the Vietnam War.

Continuing their journey, Lucy and the group visited and stopped opposite the Saigon Opera House. Built in the late 19th century and designed by the French architect Eugene Ferret, it's a popular spot for wedding photos. Interestingly, Lucy saw two couples posing on the steps while avoiding the moving traffic.

She also visited and admired ancient architectural landmarks such as the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral with its statue of Our Lady of Peace. Finally, she visited the Independence Palace, which is near the War Remnants Museum and houses thousands of valuable documents, images, and artifacts.

What impressed Lucy Handley was the sight of people gathering at roadside stalls for lunch. She was taken to a casual eatery to enjoy the city's famous banh mi sandwiches and coffee on small plastic chairs. Although she was in Ho Chi Minh City for only a short time, Lucy loved the city, from its architecture and history to its lively atmosphere and incredibly friendly people. Lucy was even helped across the street by a restaurant employee who was still on duty.

Leaving Ho Chi Minh City, the British tourist continued her journey to the Mekong Delta, with its rice paddies, intricate network of rivers and canals, and bustling floating markets. Lucy Handley spent two days enjoying the river life of the people in the Western region.

She traveled by bus and boat. The group's first stop was Tien Giang, visiting My Tho town and Vinh Trang Pagoda, built in 1849. Afterwards, the group boarded a wooden boat and sailed down a narrow canal lined with lush green palm trees before stopping at Con Quy, Ben Tre, to see how coconut candy is made.

Lucy shared that the floating market is a top attraction in the Mekong Delta, especially the sight of people wearing conical hats and selling all sorts of things from their boats. She and her group visited the Cai Be market just outside Can Tho city. She also tasted fragrant pineapple with chili salt dip and drank strong Vietnamese coffee from a vendor on a nearby boat.

After a few busy days of sightseeing, Lucy arrived at a seaside resort on Phu Quoc Island. There, she lounged on palm-fringed beaches, wandered around admiring the scenery, or relaxed by the pool with a cucumber martini. She was impressed by the tropical island and enjoyed Italian and Vietnamese cuisine at a nearby restaurant.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao