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Vietnam


Vietnam is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, and has a wealth of attractions for the visitor. Sadly, Vietnam is a country that is most readily linked in the minds of many by the thought of war, and it is important not to overlook this dramatic and important period of modern Vietnam’s history, and there are numerous historical sites to explore, which should be on the itinerary of any visitor to Vietnam. But Vietnam is about so much more than this, and is now a peaceful country, which has left the horrors of its recent past firmly behind it. Both the former North and South Vietnam (reunification came in 1975 with the start of Communist rule) boast exciting cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), both of which are embracing the 21st Century at the same time as maintaining their sense of history. But out of the cities you can discover the peace and charm of the Mekong Delta in the South and the Red River Delta in the North, the rice paddies that stretch as far as the eye can see, the old French Hill stations high in the mountains, the stunning geological wonders of Halong Bay, the stunning hill country and the minority hill tribe communities of the north, and relics of the imperial past in the historic city of Hue. And Vietnam also boasts some beautiful beaches (not surprising in a country with 2517 miles of coastline), once the R and R spots for American servicemen, and of course, some wonderfully tasty food! 


Cities and places within Vietnam
Getting Around Vietnam
By Air
Vietnam Airlines operate flights each day between Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, and Nha Trang, and slightly less frequently between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh and Dalat, Buon Ma Thuout, Phu Quoc, Pleiku and Qui Nhon. 
 
By Boat
There is a local network of boats operating between the major ports as well as a hydrofoil service from Haipong to Cat Ba and Mong Cai, and express boats from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc. There is also a service from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau.
 
By Rail
Vietnam has an excellent rail network, through facilities on board may not be of international standard (not all trains have air conditioning etc). There are both express long distance trains (the route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City takes around 30-40 hours), and local services. Plans have this year been approved for a new high speed rail link between the two major cities, and if plans are to be trusted then the journey time will be cut to around 10 hours.
 
By Road
The road network in Vietnam is pretty good though road conditions are variable. It is not possible to hire cars in Vietnam, though you can hire a chauffeur driven car from your tour company. There are some good long distance bus routes, but other services are generally poor and overcrowded.
 
Getting Around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Both cities have a bus network, and there are also plenty of taxis, or cycle rickshaws available.


Fast Facts
Capital City: Hanoi
Population: 86.3 million of which around 3.2 million live in Hanoi
Area: 127,123 sq miles
Geography: Vietnam borders with the People’s Republic of China to the North, and with Laos and Cambodia to the East, and has coasts to the east and south on the South China Sea. Other than the major cities, most of Vietnam is agricultural, though there is a tropical rainforest in the centre of the country.
Climate: Vietnam’s climate varies tremendously between north and south – there are tropical monsoons in the north and south between May and October and in between September and January in the centre. During the rest of the year, there is very little rainfall.
Language: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam, though English, French and Chinese are also spoken, and more rarely Russian
Currency: Vietnamese Dong. Current rate £1 = VND 33155
Time: GMT +7 hours
Visa Requirements: UK passport holders need a visa to visit Vietnam. Tourist visas are valid for one month from arrival, though can be renewed in the larger towns.


Getting To Vietnam
By Air
The national airline of Vietnam is Vietnamese Airlines. 
Eva Air are the only airline to operate direct flights to Hanoi. Other airlines operating the route include: Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Asiana Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines
If you are starting your stay in Saigon, then again Eva Air are the only carrier to operate direct flights and the same alternative airlines are available for non direct flights (except Cathay Pacific), with the addition of Qatar Airways, Air China, Royal Brunei Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss.
Journey time from Paris to Hanoi is around 12 hours.
Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is located 21 miles north of the city centre, and there are buses and taxis available to make the journey between the two, which takes around 45 minute to an hour.
Ho Chi Minh’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is 4½ miles from the city centre, and a taxi takes around 20-30 minutes between the two.   When leaving Vietnam, there is a departure tax of US$14 payable.
 
By Boat
The main ports in Vietnam are Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Haipong and Da Nang, and some international cruise lines use these ports. You can also get to Vietnam by ferry from Phnom Penh (Cambodia) to Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta.
 
By Rail
Access by rain to and from China is possible – take the train from Lao Cai to Kunming (yinnan Province), or from Lang Son to Nanning. You can also catch a train from Hanoi to Beijing via Dong Dang.
 
By Road
It is possible to travel by road to Vietnam from China, Cambodia and Laos. There are daily bus services from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh, and also from Hue to Savannakhet in Laos. Tickets must be purchased in advance.


Top Ten Things to Do and See in Vietnam
  1. Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling, busy, vibrant city awash with faded French Colonial Buildings, gleaming high rises, elaborate Chinese pagodas, and many museums. This is Vietnam’s largest city, and one where you can find a bit of everything – great street markets, pavement cafes, temples, and history all compete for your attention. Must dos on any visitor’s list should include the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. 
 
  1. Hanoi
Hanoi, the nation’s capital, is arguably more attractive than its southern counterpart, with less traffic and pollution, and more open spaces and trees. Much of the architecture in the centre of Hanoi is reminiscent of 1930s France, and the Old Quarter is the bustling historical centre of the city, with a maze of lanes and alleys with markets, cafes and shops. There are some wonderful sites to enjoy in Hanoi – explore the Temple of Literature, take in a traditional water puppet show, pay your respects to “Uncle Ho” at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, right in the centre of Hanoi.
 
  1. Halong Bay
UNESCO heritage listed Halong Bay, in the far north of Vietnam, is home to 3000 limestone islands which dramatically loom out of the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, part of the South China Sea – strange, and eerily beautiful, some of the islands contain caves and grottoes. You can cruise or go kayaking amongst the islands.
 
  1. Hue
Hue is the former capital of the emperors of Vietnam, and traditionally one of the main cultural and historical centres in Vietnam. There are several attractions that draw tourists to Hue, namely the mausoleums and tombs of several of Vietnam’s emperors, a number of pagodas, and the remains of the Imperial Citadel (the bulk of the construction was destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive). The monument complex of Hue was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, so there has been considerable restoration and renovation to the city, making it a fascinating place for tourists to visit.
 
  1. Hoi An
About half way down the coast of Vietnam lies Hoi An, a charming seaside town which is a showpiece of both colonial and traditional Vietnamese architecture, which thankfully was largely untouched by the war. Famous sites within the town include the Japanese Covered Bridge, built by the town’s Japanese community in 1593 to link them with the Chinese quarters across the river; and the Tan Ky House, a traditionally designed house that looks the same today as it would have done 200 years ago. Hoi An is also well-known for its many many tailors, who can whip up a tailor made suit in under 24 hours, at incredible prices – well worth it!
 
  1. Beaches
Vietnam boasts some beautiful beaches, best known amongst which are Vung Tau, south east of Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang, whose off shore islands offer some great snorkeling and diving opportunities.
 
  1. Mekong Delta
The Mekong River is the lifeblood of Vietnam, and it is possible to take a boat to explore the intricate network of swamps, forest and rice paddies that make up the Mekong Delta. There are also numerous river markets. 
 
  1. Vietnam War historical sites
Of course, in Vietnam you are never far from a reminder of the country’s traumatic past, and there are numerous fascinating war sights, which should form part of any visitor’s itinerary. You can walk sections of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which was the supply route used by the North Vietnamese during the war. One of the most interesting sites is perhaps the Cu Chi Tunnels, not far from Ho Chi Minh City,  a claustrophobic network of tunnels dug by the Viet Cong, and used by guerillas and ordinary villagers during the war.
 
  1. The Great Outdoors
Vietnam is a great place for getting out and exploring – much of the country is flat making it the perfect location for some cycling, no matter what your ability or fitness is (although care does need to be taken on busy roads, as driving in Vietnam can be erratic!). There is also some stunning countryside around Da Lat, where hiking and horse-riding are popular, as they also are in the National Parks of Ba Be Lake, Cuc Phuong and Cat Ba Island.
 
  1. Hill Towns
Whilst much of Vietnam is flat, there are still the mountainous regions, which are still home to several hill tribes, whose way of life has changed very little over the years. Visit Sapa, the premier destination in North West Vietnam, in a valley close to the Chinese border. Dalat is a former colonial hill station, which still retains the air of an old French town, with elegant villas.




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