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Vietnam
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Selling Sizzle
Things to do in Vietnam
- To escape the buzz of millions of motorbikes, head west to the watery landscape of green fields and sleepy villages in the Mekong Delta.
- To feel the intellectual, cultural and spiritual heartbeat of Vietnam, make a stop in the old imperial capital, Hué.
- The official currency is the Vietnam dong (d), but the US dollar is pretty widely accepted.
- Vietnam has always been a great value, now even better with emerging cities like Ben Tre, Chao Doc and the floating markets of Vinh Long
The Real Deal
- Make sure to research vaccinations, as they vary from region to region, and also where travelers are coming from.
- Visas are necessary whether you are arriving from land or air, and need to be done ahead of time.
- To best avoid monsoons, it is best to travel during April, May or October.
- Must sees are: Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City – the beaches of Nha rang – The Royal tombs of Hue - Panphiet – Hoi An old city
- Vietnam's big celebration is Tet (late January or early February), the most important festival of the year, which lasts a week (with rites beginning a week earlier), marking the new lunar year.
OVERVIEW
Things to do in Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, lies on the banks of the Red River, some 100 kilometers from its mouth. Human settlements here date back as far as the 3rd century B.C. In 1010 Hanoi, at that time known by the name of Thang Long, became capital of the first Vietnamese dynasty independent from the Chinese. The city received its present name, Hanoi, only in 1831. However, at that time not Hanoi but Hué was the capital of the Vietnamese empire.
In 1882 Hanoi, Vietnam was conquered by a French expedition. In 1883 France forced the then uncolonialized north of the Vietnamese empire to accept the status of a French protectorate. The French administratively divided the country into the colony Cochin China (in the South) and the protectorates Annam (central Vietnam) and Tonkin (North Vietnam). Hanoi became the capital of the protectorate Tonkin.
Vast parts of present-day Hanoi were built during the French colonial occupation. With its broad boulevards and a French-inspired architecture, the city has a noticeable structural charm. The French abandoned Hanoi after their defeat at Dien Bien Phu and the division of Vietnam into two separate states according to the Geneva Treaty signed on July 20, 1954. Ho Chi Minh made Hanoi the capital of North Vietnam and initially concentrated on the expansion of the city’s industry.
During the U.S. bombardments of North Vietnam from March 1965 to October 1968, the authorities evacuated 75 % of Hanoi’s population. After the end of the bombardments the city again grew rapidly. Today the population of Hanoi counts more than three million. Nevertheless, the city does not seem as crowded as Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon.
Vietnam Travel Videos
Watch more travel videos at www.tripfilms.com
CURRENT WEATHER
Ha Noi
- Broken clouds
- Temperature: 29 °C
- Wind: Variable from Northeast to East-Southeast, 7.4 km/h
- Pressure: 1003 hPa
- Rel. Humidity: 79 %
- Visibility: 10 km
City 101
- dong (d)
- Vietnamese and increasingly English
Best Time To Travel
Best Travel Time
- April – June
Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tipping
Tipping is not necessary, but very appreciapted as most people live off around $100 per month.
Comments
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The people in Vietnam are really hospitable and we even made friends with some of the locals. Hue will always be unforgettable because of its forbidden walls and architectures that has stood the test of time. I assure you that you won’t spend that much because there is an assortment of free things to do in Vietnam and sightseeing is just one of them. Swimming in their beaches like in Cat Ba, Da Nang, etc. should be on your list of activities.
Vietnam is a great place for vacationers because of the superb beaches and landmarks to visit. It’s really peaceful in there and it’s a great destination for relaxation. You can visit Hanoi if you opt for a more lively nightlife. I think not only the old ones will like this place. There are so many things in store even for the younger ones. Shop all you want and dine with Vietnam’s authentic cuisine in Ho Chi Minh. If you are up for a more exciting adventure, then visit the Son Doong Cave which is the world’s largest!
One of the highlights when you visit Hanoi, The Water Puppet Theater show in Vietnam is our daughter’s favorite Puppet show of all time! It’s almost as if we are being reoriented of Vietnam’s rich culture. The show was filled with tourist from around the world and we were one with them as we get excited and amazed. The music that accompanies the show was so mystical and sort of hypnotizing. They were all correct in using the term “authentic” to describe this show! There shouldn’t be an age limit when it comes to this kind of shows.
After the Puppet show, we hurriedly went to have a taste of Vietnamese Cuisine and once again we weren’t disappointed. Even though its cuisine has various influences, it still has this distinct taste! We were full to the brim so we headed back to our hotel suite and took a rest for another day of fun-filled activities.
Vietnam may get a bad rap from some people, and it might even thwart other from visiting. But it is really quite safe, and is an incredibly beautiful place to visit. Halong Bay is a great place to set up shop an unforgettable vacation. Castaway Island is unlike anything you’ll ever experience. Many people in Vietnam are already speaking English, so it is not that difficult to find someone to communicate with. But expect a culture shock if you do not travel to Eastern countries too often!