My trip to the world’s ‘best-value’ holiday destination – €1.30 beers and a custom summer dress from €12

With longer stays now possible for Irish tourists, it’s the perfect opportunity to tick vibrant vibrant Vietnam off your list

Boats along the river in Hoi An, Vietnam

Fionnuala Walsh

Looking for a thrill that won’t cost the earth on holidays this year? Look no further than Vietnam, where the natural beauty of mountains and valleys is exhilarating — and crossing the road in the cities could be considered a blood sport.

My first impression of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, was of a vibrant, busy city full of motorbikes. Latching onto a local as they weave through traffic is the only option to avoid being catapulted into the sky by a bike. In my short stay, a lot of my restaurant picks were decided by how many crossings I would have to brave to get there.