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 While Vietnam is
known to many, partly due to the infamous
Vietnam War, it is only recently that it
become accessible to tourists and foreign
visitors. The country covers
a 2,000 km long narrow strip along the South
China Sea and includes high plateaus, cool
uplands mountains, untouched coastal stretches,
thriving cities and the relaxed capital city, Hanoi
has become one of the most beguiling cities in
Asia and features preserved colonial
French-style architecture, recreational lakes,
stately monuments, galleries and Photo: Halong
Bay modern
skyscrapers. Halong Bay, east of Hanoi and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a perfect holiday
destination with its 3,000 islands rising from
the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin
and it is the most recognized landmark in
Vietnam.
There are many
ethnic groups, mainly H'mong, Dao and Kinh
people, living a traditional way of life around
Sapa, a beautiful valley, to the northwest of
Hanoi but its population is mostly made up of
ethnic-Vietnamese followed by ethnic-Chinese. Further south, the Ancient Imperial City
of Hue, a UNESCO World World Heritage Site, on the
Perfume River was once home to the Emperors and
was once Vietnam's political capital. Hue
has been one of Vietnam's main cultural,
religious and education centre and it is filled
with religious festivities throughout the whole
year and there is no shortage of tourist
attractions in Vietnam.
The archaeological
remains of the Cham people are best seen in
Danang. Nearby is Hoi An, a preserved fusion of
architectural styles dating from the 16th
century where its magnificent collection of
almost 850 older structures and intact
streetscapes just beg to be explored.
South-Central Coast contains many good beaches
with Nha Trang being the nicest municipal beach
in Vietnam whereby the turquoise waters are
almost transparent making for excellent fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
 Vietnam's best known
hill station and cool mountain retreat is Dalat,
jewel of the southern Central Highlands, a
quaint holiday hideaway as well as home to
various interesting ethnic groups and is located
in a temperate region dotted with astonishing lakes,
waterfalls and surrounded by evergreen forests
whereby it is a suitable place for family
gathering. Ho Chi Minh City,
also known as Saigon, is the most obvious sign
of doi moi, Vietnam's well-known economic
restructuring. The city is vibrant, lively, dynamic and
progressive. The city has museums and grand
public buildings which are major tourists
attractions. The markets are good places
for shopping of souvenirs and there is lively entertainment
Photo: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi
and dining scene in the city and trying the
local delicacies is a must after you are amazed
by the many famous places of interest in Vietnam.
 Cholon, known as
Saigon's Chinatown, is nearby and there are
interesting pagodas, shops and streets and this
places is packed with party-goers during the
Lunar New Year. In and
near Ho Chi Minh City, there are several tourist
attractions including the Cu Chi Tunnels which
became legendary during the 1960s for its role
in facilitating Viet Cong control of a large
rural area only 30 km from Saigon, the Caodai
Great Temple and untouched farming villages
Photo: Hoan Kiem Lake like
Long Xuyen. The most accessible beach resort is
Vung Tau, 128 km south-east of Ho Chi Minh
City. Back Beach (Bai Sau, also known as Thuy
Van Beach) is popular among Vietnamese which is
always packed during the weekends.
With over 81 million
people there is a great cultural contrast within
the country. The food is unique and combines
subtle spices with fresh ingredients. Street
stalls are common and pho, a type of noodle soup
is as popular as coffee and baguettes. There are many
festivals with Tet or Vietnamese New Year being
the most significant. Vietnamese culture is
complex with music being central to many
activities. Water puppets are uniquely
Vietnamese and there are some very good painters
in the country. Traveling in Vietnam is easy due
to its slim shape whereby you can start in the
north at Hanoi and move your way southwards to
Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa. No matter which
direction you take, your tour to Vietnam will
definitely be fulfilling.
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