PHU QUOC ISLAND: It’s been called one of South-East Asia’s best-kept secrets but word is fast getting out about Phu Quoc, with the island recording a spike in Australian visitors this year. The island – the largest in southern Vietnam - is an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Half the island is taken up by national park, with mountains, tropical jungle, white-sand beaches and tourist resorts all part of the lure.

... The latest addition to Phu Quoc’s line-up of tourist attractions is a swanky rooftop bar, INK 360, in the newly unveiled Sky Tower at the InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, promising breathtaking ocean views.

HALONG BAY: A surreal collection of limestone islands, rock formations and caves saw Halong Bay listed as a World Heritage site in 1994 and named one of the New Wonders of the World in 2012. Overnight boat trips let visitors take in the full experience of the bay, and, despite its popularity, its beauty still surprises many.

... And if you think you’ve seen everything Halong Bay has to offer, think again: Designs for a futuristic new floating theatre set to be constructed in the middle of Halong Bay and complement the natural scenery have just been released, with the project slated for completion in 2020.

CAU VANG / GOLDEN BRIDGE: Vietnam’s latest drawcard is a man-made wonder: A dramatic pedestrian bridge providing views across the Ba Na hills near Danang. Its name means “golden bridge” - but it’s not the colour that’s the most striking part of the structure, rather the giant pair of hands reaching out from the hillside to support it.

... The 150m-long walkway is perched above the treetops some 1400m above sea level to afford spectacular views across the region - although its height means it sometimes appears to be floating above the clouds when shrouded in mist. Opened in June, it’s already become a popular destination among local and international visitors.

HANG SONG DOONG: It’s been described as a “lost universe”, and houses its own unique ecosystem. Hang Song Doong, or “Mountain River Cave”, was only uncovered in the 1990s and was only officially determined to be the world’s largest in 2010.

... A visit to the cave is not for the faint-hearted – but the adventures within are incredible. There aren’t too many other places you can explore an underground jungle or go camping on a beach inside a cave. Hang Song Doong has only been opened to tourists since 2013, and there’s only one operator, Oxalis, allowed to run expeditions for a limited number of visitors.

MUI NE SAND DUNES: Vietnam may be best known for its bustling cities, lush tropical forests and impressive coastline, but there’s also a patch of the country that’s more akin to the Sahara than typical South-East Asia. Mui Ne is a fishing village turned tourist icon thanks not only to its beach location and ideal kitesurfing conditions, but its extraordinary sand dunes.

... Known as the “red dunes” and “white dunes”, for obvious reasons, they can be explored on foot, by hiring ATV dune buggy or sandboard or, as of last year, by taking a hot-air balloon ride above. They’re at their most stunning - and you’ll avoid the midday heat - at sunrise and sunset.

MU CANG CHAI RICE TERRACES: Breathtaking, magical, magnificent … travellers seem to run out of superlatives for the extraordinary landscapes on display across some 500ha in Vietnam’s northwest. The Mu Cang Chai terraces were last year rated as one of the most beautiful places in the world by Harper’s Bazaar – up there with the likes of Machu Picchu and Santorini.

... The region’s relatively remote location - off the beaten tourist path - makes it all the more special for the keen trekkers and photographers who visit. It’s at its most stunning as the fields begin to turn yellow during the September-October harvest season.

CO THACH BEACH: The otherworldly scenery of Co Thach is enough to entice eager photographers out of bed by 3am to capture it at its most magnificent. The rocky beach near Tuy Phong, about an hour from the tourist town of Mui Ne, is known for its stones of seven colours, with striking emerald moss-covered rocks jutting out at low tide.

... Get there early to enjoy the spectacular colours of sunrise – if you leave it too late in the day, you’ll find the famous rocks covered by water. On a rock cliff above the beach, the 100-year-old Co Thach pagoda, popular with pilgrims, provides stunning views across the ocean.

HOI AN, OLD TOWN: One of the world’s best preserved ancient towns, Hoi An dates back to the 15th century. And since being World Heritage listed in 1999, the tourists keep coming - as do the impressive list of accolades. Lonely Planet calls it Vietnam’s “most atmospheric and delightful town”; CNN this year named it one of the most relaxing places in the world; Rough Guides readers named it one of South-East Asia’s top places to visit; and TripAdvisor last year rated it one of the world’s top destinations.

... Sometimes called a “living museum”, the old town features picturesque streets lit by lanterns, great restaurants, cooking courses, and tailors’ shops for couture on the cheap.

MOUNT FANSIPAN: Vietnam’s highest peak, the 3143m-high Fansipan is known as the “roof of Indochina”. Until recently, it was accessible only by a 19km hike from the northern town of Sapa (which, thanks to the gradient, is a three-day round trip trek for most visitors). But a new cable car, opened in 2016, whisks visitors to the summit in a mere 15 minutes.

... The cable car is the highest, longest and most modern system of its type in the world, and takes in views across the rice paddies of the Muong Hoa Valley along the way before rising through the clouds to the peak.

MEKONG DELTA: Lush vegetation, floating markets, canals and culture combine into one rich experience in Vietnam’s rice bowl, the Mekong Delta. Tour company Busabout describes the region as “like a living and breathing National Geographic magazine”. With the river life itself a key experience, it’s best to see the region from the water for an insight into how the locals live.

... Cruise options vary from rustic boats along the canals to sophisticated river ships, like the luxury Scenic Spirit (pictured), that continue along the Mekong to Cambodia and beyond.