Vietnam Travel Guide
If you want to be overwhelmed by breathtaking sunsets and untouched natural
magnificence, Vietnam is your place to be. Bordered by
China to the north, Laos
to the northwest and Cambodia to the southwest, this Southeast Asian country has
delicate attractions to capture the heart of even the most skeptic visitor.
Vietnam is divided into four major regions: the north, central coast, the
central highlands and the south. The well known cities are: Hanoi, Hai Phong,
Can Tho, Dalat, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Nha Trang.
The northern part of Vietnam houses the capital city of Hanoi and it is known
for the exotic and splendid views of the country. It covers the Red River Delta
up to the high mountains near China and the Ha Long Bay which is considered by
UNESCO to be a World Heritage site.
The best way to appreciate Ha Long Bay is by taking a dramatic boat tour, where
you can enjoy shaped limestone outcrops and yawning caves. While in Hanoi, you
can also visit the historic Confucian-style Temple of Literature, the
chaotically traditional alleys of the Old Quarter and the Perfume Pagoda which
is a famous Buddhist cave temple near Red River Delta. There is also the fishing
island of Cat Ba, which is an interesting place to visit.
On the other hand, the southern part of Vietnam, they say, is the commercial
center of the country. It is built around Ho Chi Minh City (formerly capital
city of Saigon) and covers Mekong Delta which is the rice basket of the country.
While in Saigon, you make a quick stop at the rather grisly Ho Chin Minh
Mausoleum where the embalmed remain of a great man is put on view in a glass box.
The former capital city is also stuffed with venerable temples and ancient "war
sights" where most visitors go.
The central coast also houses another UNESCO World Heritage site: Hoi An. Hoi An
is a pleasant seacoast town in Vietnam and around the same area is the ancient
city of Hue. Hue is an ancient city where recent Vietnamese kings have lived. If
you happen to visit Hoi An the night before the full moon of any month, you will
get to experience Full Moon Festival. This is when the town's electricity is
temporarily switched off and the streets are illuminated by lanterns and
traditional dances are performed in the streets.
The central highlands of Vietnam are filled with hills and lush rainforest. It
features some tribes and occasionally, some elephants. Because of its location,
it is more accessible to those who are adventurous enough to go hiking. The
largest city in central highlands is Dalat, which is the previous retreat place
of the French. Dalat offers a great golf course and tall green mountains nearby.
Other recommended places to visit in Vietnam are beaches in little Phu Quoc
island which is close to the Cambodian border. You can also go trekking in Sa Pa
which is inhabited by a variety of hill tribes. If you wish to meet the "mad
monk" of Da Lat, Vien Tuc is an artist, zen poet and Buddhist who welcomes
visitors to his pagoda-cum-art gallery. If you are already exhausted with all
the traveling, stop and drink freshly brewed bia hoi at makeshift street side
joints in the city. Bia hoi is the native draft beer of Vietnam famously drank
by many residents.