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Unique in Southeast Asia, differ from Laos
and Cambodia, Vietnam is a fascinating meld
of Confucian values, western capitalism and
the somnolent pace of life that is so characteristic
of the far east.
While the legacy of both the war and Vietnam's
seductive French colonial era remain well
evident, both are being pushed well into the
background as the very young, vivacious and
enterprising Vietnamese population concentrate
fully on the future.
For the independent traveler and tourist,
Vietnam offers enough experiences and attractions
to fill a lifetime. From sitting on a barge
in the Mekong Delta eating freshly caught
crispy fish, to the breathtaking vistas of
Haling Bay or the charming yet cheeky novice
that takes you around his village pagoda,
traveling in Vietnam is an experience you'll
never forget. |
Sitting in a Saigon streetside
cafe you can enjoy steaming noodles, while
just down the road, cyclo drivers -- relics
of yesteryear -- badger and bark at each other
over a game of checkers, only to look up,
catch your eye, and break out into that amazing
Vietnamese smile.
Open to foreign tourists for well over a decade,
Vietnam has rapidly developed a well-trodden
trail of tourist attractions. In the north,
hanoi charms, while the vistas of Ha Long
Bay and the hilltribes of Sapa draw tourists
in their thousands. In the centre of Vietnam
the remnants of the war can still be seen
around the DMZ, the Imperial capital of Hue
offers a glimpse into yesteryear and the incredibly
popular Hoi An attracts shoppers in their
droves. South again to the beach strips of
Nha Trang and Mui Ne offering the opportunity
of a bit of sun and sand, before reaching
the country's southern capital Saigon. Below
Saigon the Mekong Delta offers much to the
independent and intrepid traveller -- be sure
to palm of the organized tours and do it yourself
-- you won't regret it. |
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