Huế, pronounced “h-way” and located on the Perfume River, is still lapped by memories of a much older world: one of huge stelae, dragon-bearing coins, moon-shaped lutes and other items that must have made the evocative capital of the Nguyen emperors an extremely romantic place to stroll around. Central to protecting the glories of this imperial Vietnam were the traditional martial arts. Derived from the exercises of soldiers at the local citadel, they combined the wisdom of Eastern medicine, Buddhist piety, Confucianism and other Asian philosophies, in a fascinating and eclectic manner. Here, we look at the martial arts in Vietnam and how they developed throughout history.

If mile upon mile of alluring coastline, quaint colonial buildings, venerable pagodas and bustling markets are up your alley, then Vietnam really is the place to be. An aesthete’s playground, there are enough verdant paddy fields, surreal caves and steep mountain passes here to satisfy even the most insatiable adventurer. And that’s just the geography. Peopling every district are the inimitable Vietnamese themselves: kind, good-hearted and gifted with a wicked sense of humor, they’ll happily guide visitors to their favorite haunts. If you want to find out more about this fascinating country before setting off, follow our guide to ten of the most beautiful things to see in Vietnam.