Steamy jungles, endless beaches, and ancient cities form the backdrop of a trip to Vietnam – a country steeped in history and culture. From the traditional lifestyle of Indigenous hill tribes to the intoxicating flavors of local cuisine, this Southeast Asian country promises an unforgettable sensory experience.
| Languages Spoken اللغة | tiếng Việt |
|---|---|
| Currency العملة | Dong |
| Area (km2) 2المساحةكم | 332,698 |
| Country Name اسم الدولة | Vietnam فيتنام |
| Capital العاصمة | Hanoi هانوي |
The long, thin landmass of Vietnam is divided into several distinct regions, each differing dramatically in terms of climate, geology, and topography. One consistent thing is warm local hospitality whether from the indigenous hill tribes of the north or the party-loving beach-goers of the southern coast.
North
The Red River Delta is a vast area of sub-tropical wetlands that’s home to the national capital, Hanoi, and several national parks including Cat Ba – a popular gateway to Halong Bay. Halong is one of the top reasons to visit Vietnam; a surreal landscape made up of thousands of limestone karsts and islands in the Gulf of Tonkin. In the rugged mountains to the north of Hanoi – between the borders with Laos and China – hill tribes still lead a traditional way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. Hiking opportunities abound, with trails snaking through terraced rice paddies and tea plantations speckled with thatched stilt houses. Locals wearing traditional dress are a common sight in the villages, where colorful markets selling local arts and crafts are an essential stop-off on any tour. Photographers will love Ba Be National Park and its eponymous lake, where steep limestone cliffs and mighty waterfalls plunge into the picturesque waters.
Central Coast
The thin mid-section of Vietnam stretching from the southern edge of the Red River Delta all the way down to Ho Chi Minh City is home to some of its most notable attractions. Highlights include the staggering citadel of Hue, the Imperial City; Danang, a rapidly developing beach destination; and Hoi An, an ancient city built around a crisscross of canals and waterways. At the eastern extent of Vietnam’s s-shaped bulge, Nha Trang is the premier destination for high-octane beach life in spectacular surroundings.
Central Highlands
Sandwiched between the Cambodian border and the beach towns of the Central Coast, this fertile part of the country offers cooler climes and lush landscapes that make a refreshing change of pace from beach life. Visitors usually gravitate to Da Lat, a colonial hill station perched at a cool 1,500 meters above sea level, making it a great leaping-off point for excursions and treks into the area. The mist-covered hillsides camouflage picturesque lakes and waterfalls, as well as traditional villages noted for their warm hospitality. The highlands are still an important source of coffee and tea, but most visitors are there for the trekking and the opportunity to experience a homestay with one of the indigenous hill tribes.
Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City
Formerly Saigon, Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s economic heavyweight – an expanse of new skyscrapers and international businesses taking advantage of new investment opportunities in southern Vietnam. Looking at the skyline, it’s hard to imagine that the city saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. Nearby, the Cu Chi Tunnels form a network of underground passages constructed by the Viet Cong, which spread across some 200Km of the countryside. Head further south and you reach the Mekong Delta – a vast wetland area where hundreds of rivers spill out into the ocean. This is the Vietnam of popular culture, where lethargic buffalo wade through emerald rice paddies, and farmers in traditional conical hats toil under the sun.
Culture
Although the scars of the Vietnam War are still open for many, visitors find a warm welcome among the Vietnamese people, whose character has been shaped by centuries of dynastic rule, French colonialism, and life under communism. Daily life revolves around the family, and although a small portion of the population practices Buddhism and indigenous beliefs, the country has a largely secular attitude. The majority of the population is ethnically Vietnamese, but there are more than 50 minority groups, as well as a significant population of ethnic Chinese.
History
Vietnam’s Red River Valley was settled by the Hong Bang Dynasty almost 5,000 years ago. The Millennia of dynastic rule was interrupted by intermittent periods of Chinese occupation until the French assumed control in 1887. Vietnam, or French Indochina, became an important source of tobacco, tea, and coffee, and French settlers in Saigon – now Ho Chi Minh City – left their mark on the architecture of the country. Vietnam claimed independence from the French under Ho Chi Minh in 1954, but the ideological divide between the North and South quickly descended into the Vietnam War, which raged until 1976. The country now enjoys relative peace, and the rapid growth of tourism in the last 10 years has created economic stability and employment for many.
Sadly, years of hunting and poaching have left many of Vietnam’s endemic species critically endangered. Rare species like the guar (Indian Bison) and saola (part-antelope, part-ox) can be found in the north, as well as numerous endangered species of primate. In Cat Ba National Park, nearly all of the world’s golden-headed langur dwell in relative isolation in a picturesque island reserve. Other natural reserves are home to rare breeds including the clouded leopard, Asian black bear, Indochinese tiger, and the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey. Marine reserves in the south like Con Dao and Phu Quoc are home to rare dugong and hawksbill turtles.
Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in Asia, with spectacular nature, virgin beauty, wide diverse cuisine, antiquities, and rich historical and cultural civilizations.
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