Photo: the Temple of Literature

We depart at 8.30am or 1.30pm for the Ho Chi Minh complex; home to his mausoleum, garden, house and a museum which traces his life and work. On days when the Ho Chi Minh complex is closed, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, which gives an excellent overview of the country's ethnic groups, their customs and ways of life. The beautiful grounds display original old houses from many different ethnic groups.

We continue with a short visit to the famous One-pillar-Pagoda nearby, before heading to the Temple of Literature; one of the world's first universities and school of Confucianism founded in the 11th century.

Then it is on to Hanoi’s Old Quarter for a ride in a traditional cyclo, passing lively markets on narrow streets. The 36 streets of the Old Quarter date back to the middle ages when they supplied the Emperor’s citadel.