Vietnam

Situated along the eastern edge of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. This S-shaped land offers a wealth of cultural delights as well as a wide range of stunning scenery. From the mountains in the North to the narrow waterways of the Mekong Delta in the South, it’s a destination attracting millions of visitors each year. Moreover, the 2,040 miles of coastline make it easy to find a lovely beach for relaxation.

Ho Chi Minh City

HCMC is the largest city in Vietnam and also its most populated. Originally called Saigon, it wasn’t until the end of the Vietnam War that it took its current name. Located in the southeastern region of the country, it began as just a small fishing village. Today it is the throbbing commercial heart of the country. With its wide boulevards and French-inspired architecture, it was once known as “the Pearl of the Far East” and “Paris in the Orient.” At first sight, HCMC can be very overwhelming. Like many other large Asian cities, the crowds of people are awkward enough, but what really adds to the mix are the MOPEDS.. They are everywhere!! Trying to cross the street can be both exciting and challenging. There is never really a perfect opportunity, so just stick out your arm and start walking. You’ll be surprised at how easily they avoid you. I must say that the Vietnamese are very skilled when it comes to riding motorcycles. After all, for many of them it’s their only form of transportation. Some of them really make the most of their available transport, managing to carry everything from a family of four to a bed mattress on these small motorcycles.

The most popular section of the city is around Dong Khoi Street in District 1. It’s here where you’ll find many fashionable shops, museums, and restaurants. You’ll also see the well known Rex Hotel (a popular base for several journalists during the Vietnam War), and the beautifully constructed Notre Dame Cathedral and City Hall.

Ben Thanh Market is a must see. It’s the largest old-style market in District 1 and has hundreds of small stalls packed with everything you can imagine from souvenirs to seafood. Most items are not price-marked and the venders will try to make more on tourists, so be sure to bargain with them.

The War Remnants Museum is worth checking out, especially if you like history. It provides lots of information pertaining to the Vietnam War, or American War, as it’s referred to by the Vietnamese. However, some of the exhibits are very graphic so be fore-warned. It also has an assortment of US military vehicles including helicopters, jets, and tanks.

I personally think that most of HCMC can be explored in two full days. With all the crowds and big city noises, any longer than that and you’ll surely be seeking some peace and quiet. There's no better way to find it than to book a tour and get out of town. There are many agencies around town, but the cheapest ones are on and around Pham Ngu Lao (Backpacker’s Alley). Two great tours I recommend are the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.

Cu Chi Tunnels

About 40 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City lies the very elaborate Cu Chi Tunnels. It is an underground community made up of a network of tunnels used by the Vietcong during the Vietnam War. This place is simply amazing. It’s unbelievable how they used these to hide from and fight the Americans. Still in very good condition, they would make a unique playground for little kids. However, during the 1960’s they were anything but fun. American tunnel rats would make their way through these unexplored, narrow passageways with nothing more than their handgun and a flashlight. Stretching hundreds of miles, these tunnels were dug by the local people using shovels. They built many levels, which included living spaces, kitchens, and clinics.

During the tour they let you crawl through some of these tunnels which really gives you a feel of what it must have been like. There are also a number of ingenious booby traps on display and if you’re really feeling warlike, a selection of machine guns to shoot. For a harrowing account of America's "tunnel rats," check out the book, "Cu Chi Tunnels" by Tom Mangold and John Penycate.

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, known in Vietnamese as the “Nine Dragon River Delta,” is a primary waterway of southern Vietnam and also the country’s center for rice production. The whole area is very lush in foliage and made up of many small canals and islands. My Tho is the starting point of many day tours because of its close proximity to HCMC. From there, you may visit a few islands - trying coconut candy or snake wine before hopping on a canoe paddled by a Vietnamese woman wearing her traditional conical hat. The ride through the canals with huge palm trees hanging overhead is a very unique and exotic experience you won’t want to miss.

Mui Ne

Vietnam has many beautiful beaches and the most popular is probably Nha Trang. However, Mui Ne beach shares that beauty and is much closer to Ho Chi Minh City. To get there you can book a 4 hour, “open tour” bus for very cheap. This 12-mile strip of palm-shaded white sand is dotted with resorts and lies just south of the fishing village of Mui Ne. The winds are so strong here, it’s ideal for windsurfing. Other popular activities include sunbathing or taking a trip out to the gigantic rolling sand dunes. The local children will be more than happy to show you how to sled down these hills, for a small fee of course. Mui Ne is a very relaxing place and is frequented by tourists. The best way to get around is to rent a moped. Just be careful when filling the tank with gas. The station attendants are prone to start the meter where it last left off instead of resetting it to zero. A tricky way to get a few more dollars out of the unsuspecting tourist. There are many great restaurants in Mui Ne including the very chic Snow sushi bar.

Vietnam is an amazing country with a deep history. Like its neighbors Cambodia and Thailand, the people are very friendly and accommodating. Also like the surrounding countries, it’s still rather cheap. I guess you could say, it's "same same, but different." Whether you are looking for culture in the capital cities, adventure in the mountains, or just peaceful relaxation on the beach, Vietnam will surely have something to offer.

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Travel Tips

• When to Go
  The best time to visit Vietnam is from November to March. It is relatively dry and not too unbearably hot. Try to avoid the months of May through October. That’s the monsoon season and often brings heavy rain.
  
  
  
  
• What to see
  Top Ten Sights
  
  - Ho
  
  Ben Thanh Market
  
  Chi Minh City
  - Halong Bay
  - Mekong Delta
  - Hanoi
  - Cu Chi Tunnels
  - Nha Trang
  - Mui Ne
  - Phu Quoc
  - Da Nang
  - Vung Tau
  
  
  
  
  
• What to Buy
  Clothing, shoes, and accessories are very popular in Vietnam. Also Lacquerware and ceramics. You can find good deals on hand-made jewelry and no shopping spree is complete without picking up a traditional Vietnamese conical hat.
  
  
  
  
• What to Eat
  Vietnamese cuisine is very diverse. With the fertile delta of the Mekong River, there is a constant supply of rice. The country’s long coastline provides a plentiful supply of seafood, and its tropical climate makes it ideal for growing fruits and vegetables. Some specialties include Pho - a classic soup consisting of white noodles, slices of beef, and spring onions and Banh Xeo - a pork and prawn pancake served with a tangy lime and chili dipping sauce.
  
  
  
  
  
• Language
  Vietnamese
  
  
  
  
  
• Currency
  Dong
  
  
  
  
• Tipping
  Tipping is not customary in Vietnam, however most foreigners do it. For restaurants just round up or leave something you feel
  
  Traditional Attire
  
  comfortable with.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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