The beauty of the country usually overwhelms most visitors to Vietnam. The Red river delta in the north and the Mekong delta in the south and also almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies. The bustling southern town of Ho Chi Minh is very different from cultural Hanoi. The misty waters of Halong Bay contrast to the golden beaches of Nha Trang. One of the most popular places for visitors is Hoi An, a dreamy riverside town just thirty kilometers from Danang.