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THE VIETNAMESE EXPERIENCE
Vietnam is a nation going places. Fast. Its people are energetic, direct, sharp in commerce and resilient by nature. This is an outrageously fun country to explore, the locals love a laugh (and a drink) and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to socialise with them and hear their tales.
The American War is over, and yet its impact endures – you’ll find reminders of that cataclysmic conflict everywhere you travel. That said, the country was never broken and emerged with its pride intact. Poor in parts but never squalid, Vietnam is developing at an astonishing pace. For travellers, there are issues to consider (including minor scams), but little real danger – on the whole it’s a safe, wonderfully rewarding and incredibly varied country to explore.
MUST SEE PLACES IN VIETNAM
- Ethnic markets – spectacular traditional dress and a lively atmosphere make the ethnic minority markets a must – especially those in Bac Ha and Can Cau
- Temples and Pagodas – Vietnamese temples and pagodas reflect the countrys diverse range of religions, Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang is a good example
- Tet – the most important festival in the Vietnamese calener, tet sees the new year ushered in with colourful flower markets, fireworks and dragon dances
- Cu Chi Tunnels – look out for the spiked booby traps that Vietnamese guides reveal for visitors to the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Bia Hoi – these are fun bars, friendly and cheap and a great way to mingle with the locals. Order a Bia Hoi (lager like draught) in any of the black lanes in the old quarter of Hanoi
- The Citadel, Hue – the former capitals historic citadel, mausoleums and gardens are idiosyncratic enough to impress even the most jaded traveller
- Water puppets – enjoy a performance of Mua Roi Nuoc, an art form developed in the red river delta around Hanoi
- Express silk tailoring – visit one of the many Hoi an tailors who can rustle up a made to measure silk dress in just a few minutes
- Trekking in Sa Pa – trek in the northern mountains arouns Sa Pa, a small market town perched on a plateau facing Fan Si Pan, Vietnams highest peak
- Lak Lake – paddle serena waters of Lak Lake in a dug out canoe, ride on an elephant or take a guided walk into the forests
- Hoi An – with its rich cultural heritage, beautifully preserved merchants houses and slow pace of life, Hoi is a captivating place to spend a few days
- The red river delta – slow the pace down with a trip to the country side and experience a lifestyle little changed in centuries
- Take a cyclo ride – the quintessential Vietnamese mode of transport gives you an up and close view of street like
- Boat trip in Ha Long Bay – thousands of limestone islands jutting out of these silent waters have been dubbed the eight natural wonder in the world
- Chill out on Phu Quoc – beaches and coconut trees and add some sailing to the unspoilt An thoi islands for snorkelling
- Ride the reunification express – load you bike on, sit back and relax as the train chugs its way between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
- Hanois Opera house to see some spectacular impressive colonial architecture
- Browse the markets – binh tay are good grazing grounds for snacks, soup, spring rolls, sticky rice cake or even a baguette filled with pate to keep you going whilst you shop
- Adventure sports – rock climbing, kitesurfing, kayaking and mountain biking are just some of the sports available to enjoy
- Street food – soak up the atmosphere at a street kitchen and have your plate piled with a selection of fresh food
