Ready-made clothing is available on the street and in department stores, but larger sizes can sometimes be more difficult to find.  A good option is to get something tailor made instead.  Tailors in Ho Chi Minh City are excellent, fast and very affordable.  Be sure to agree on a price before commissioning an outfit, and when returning to pick it up, try it on to ensure it fits and is made as agreed.  Some tailors speak English, but some do not, so check around and ask for recommendations.  A good tip is to take a pattern or a garment that you like with you and get it copied.

Ao Dai is the traditional and formal Vietnamese dress for women.  The plain trousers and often ornate, long tunic with a split up the side can be highly detailed and embellished with stunning designs.  Many tailors will make an Ao Dai especially to fit.

Colourful lacquered goods are plentiful and make stunning, unique gifts as a souvenir from afar.  Lacquered goods include placemats, boxes, photo frames, light stands, plates and much more. 

Silk goods including scarves, clothing and cushion covers are cheap, plentiful and well made.
Vietnamese designers blend local design characteristics with Western influences to produce some very creative designs.  If it is not available in your size, then they can often make one especially for you at short notice.  The iconic Vietnamese conical hats are often a “must buy” for travellers and they are found almost everywhere.

Art and art shops are in Ho Chi Minh City and other tourist centres, but Hanoi has a more developed creative scene.  Other good buys include hand-embroidered clothing, bags and housewares, such as bed linen, tablecloths and cushion covers.  Cashew nuts and locally grown coffee are other great buys, while bamboo goods, such as placemats and blinds, are plentiful and beautifully made.

The capital city of China has become a major tourist destination since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976.  Although not the largest city in the nation, Beijing was the seat of power during both the Ming and Qing dynasties and contains major landmarks dating from these periods.

Tiananmen Square

The largest public square in the world, Tiananmen Square is the single most visited site in the city.  Important buildings that are attractions in their own right, including the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, the Museum of Chinese History, the Great Hall of the People, and the Qianmen Gate, surround the square. 

However, it is the complex of the Forbidden City that has the most allure for many visitors.  This is the site from which the imperial court ruled – a city that was forbidden to ordinary inhabitants of China for most of its long history. 

The National Stadium

Visitors who watched the 2008 Olympics on television may be interested to see the ‘Bird’s Nest’, or National Stadium where many of the sporting events took place.  The stadium is located in the Chaoyang District, as is the new World Trade Centre Tower.

Medieval China

The inner core of Beijing is also home to significant remains dating from the time of the Ming Dynasty.  In the Chongwen District, tourists can see the remains of the medieval city wall, while the Dongcheng District boasts ancient drum and bell towers. 

The Great Wall of China

Although not technically in Beijing, no visit to the city is complete without taking a trip to see the nearby Great Wall of China.  The sections near Beijing date from the Ming dynasty, a time when rammed earth construction gave way to stone and brick, making the wall here more impressive to view as well as harder for invaders to breach.

Many people instantly recognise Barcelona from Freddy Mercury’s haunting song, recorded for the 1992 Olympics.  The city itself is just as memorable, offering a bright collision of culture and commerce, style and attitude that is relaxed and friendly.

Barcelona doesn’t observe siesta in the same ways the smaller towns do, so visitors need not feel rushed into lunch and can spend a leisurely day taking in the sights before enjoying some tapas.

Park Guell is one of Antonio Gaudi’s great gifts to the city.  The monument garden is situated in the north; it’s an enclave of quiet contemplation and playful architecture.  The hill summit reveals a beautiful panorama of the city and its bay.

The Sagrada Familia is also visible from this point.  This giant Basilica has been under construction since 1882 and is unlikely to be completed for at least another 50 years.

When you are ready to eat, why not try Caj Chai on Sant Domènec del Call.  In a city of coffee drinkers, it is Barcelona’s only teashop serving rare leaves from around the world.  The friendly staff and elegant interior offer a cool haven from the afternoon sun, with a variety of refreshing brews on offer.  The Walnut cake is especially good.