Vietnam Attraction

Cities and Provinces in Vietnam

2008-03-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

Cities and Provinces

Vietnam is composed of 64 provinces and centrally-administered cities grouped into regions as follows:

Northeast Vietnam: Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lao Cai (Sapa), Bac Can, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh (Ha Long).

Northwest Vietnam: Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La and Hoa Binh (Mai Chau).

Red River Delta: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Tay, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, and Ninh Binh.

North Central Coast: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An (Vinh), Ha Tinh, Quang Binh (Phong Nha), Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.

South Central Coast: Quang Nam (Hoi An), Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh (Quy Nhon), Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa (Nha Trang).

Central Highlands: Tay Nguyen Highlands, Kon Tum, Gia Lai (Pleiku), Lam Dong (Da Lat), Dac Lac (Buon Ma Thuot) and Dac Nong.

Southeast Vietnam: Ninh Thuan (Phan Rang), Binh Thuan (Phan Thiet), Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Mekong River Delta: Long An, Dong Thap (Cao Lanh), An Giang (Long Xuyen, Chau Doc), Tien Giang (My Tho), Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Kien Giang (Phu Quoc, Ha Tien, Rach Gia), Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau.

Vietnam Travel - Useful Tips (Part 5)

2008-01-20T21:40:00.000-08:00

Things to remember
• It's in your best interests not to drink the tap water, especially after flooding!
• Avoid cyclo ride after dark.
• Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting local dwellings and religious sites, etc.
• Leave your valuables behind before a night out on the town, or going to the beach.
• When crossing the road, especially in Ho Chi Minh city, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly!
• Do not offer money directly to minority people - instead donate to a local charity or offer a small gift, such as pens.
• Try at least once the delicious, local street food.
• Always ask permission first before taking photographs, especially in minority areas.

* * * * * Things do not to miss

• Sleeping out on deck on a boat in Halong Bay
• Ordering custom-made clothes from the local tailor shop
• Taking a slow cyclo ride through the French Quarter of old Saigon
• Eating pho ga (chicken noodle soup) at a street side noodle stalls.
• Watching the traditional water - puppet performance in Hanoi.
• Experience the full moon festivities in the ancient town of Hoi An.
• Drinking rice-wine in the minority villages of the north
• Taking a boat along Hue's Huong (Perfume) River, visiting the Royal Mausoleums.
• Overnight in a homestay in the Mekong Delta's riverside orchards.
• Bartering for a bargain at Saigon's largest market, Ben Thanh Market
• Taking a stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarters.
* * * * *
Read on...

Useful Telephone Number when traveling to Vietnam

2008-01-20T21:30:00.000-08:00

0
National Domestic Direct Dialing Access Code

00
International Direct Dialing Access Code

113
Police

114
Fire Brigade

115
Ambulance

101
Domestic Long Distance Telephone Service

102
Directory assistance for long distant domestic telephone calls

103
Operator-assisted long distance domestic telephone calls

110
International Telephone Service

142
International Telephone Service Rate

143
International Telephone Service enquiries

116
Phone Number Inquiries

117
Time Inquiries

118
Ring Back Test

119
Advice on Telephone Repairs

133/131
Hanoi ABC Paging Service

107/105
Vietnam Paging Service

106
Paging Service Enquiries

141
Vinaphone Paging Service

151
Vinaphone Enquiry Service

145
VMS Mobifone Enquiry Service

1260
VNN/INTERNET Access Number

1268
VNN Access Number (Local)

1269
VNN Access Number (International)

1080
General Information Service

1088
Consultancy Service

1081
Yellow Pages Information & Consultancy Service

Getting to town (Vietnam)

2008-01-20T20:59:00.000-08:00

Visitors can get a taxi, motobike (xe om) from airports to the city centre. Apart from these means, in some big cities as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can get to the centre by bus.

In Hanoi:

Airport Taxis charge a flat rate of US$ 10 (one-way) for cars from Noi Bai Airport to central Hanoi. The drive takes about 45 minutes. A minibus makes the trip for US$ 4 per person.
Fare for buses No. 7 Kim Ma - Noi Bai and No. 17 Long Bien - Noi Bai is VND 5,000. There is a bus every 15 - 20 minutes.

In Ho Chi Minh City:

A metered cab from Tan Son Nhat Airport to downtown costs around VND 50,000. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

Ao Dai (Áo Dài) - Long Dress

2008-01-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

Ao Dai (Áo Dài) - Long Dress:

A lasting impression for any visitor to Vietnam is the beauty of the women dressed in their ao dais. Girls dressed in white pick their way through muddy streets going home from school or sail by in a graceful chatter on their bikes. Secretaries in delicate pastels greet you at an office door and older ladies in deep shades of purple, green or blue cut a striking pose eating dinner at a restaurant. The ao dai appears to flatter every figure. Its body-hugging top flows over wide trousers that brush the floor. Splits in the gown extend well above waist height and make it comfortable and easy to move in. Although virtually the whole body is swathed in soft flowing fabric, these splits give the odd glimpse of a bare midriff, making the outfit very sensual. Rapidly becoming the national costume for ladies, its development is actually very short compared to the country's history.

Pronounced 'ao yai' in the south, but 'ao zai' in the north, the color is indicative of the wearer's age and status. Young girls wear pure white, fully lined outfits symbolizing their purity. As they grow older but are still unmarried they move into soft pastel shades. Only married women wear gowns in strong, rich colors, usually over white or black pants. The ao dai has always been more prevalent in the south than the north, but austerity drives after 1975 meant it was rarely anywhere seen for a number of years as it was considered an excess not appropriate for hard work. The nineties have seen a resurgence in the ao dai's popularity. "It has become standard attire for many office workers and hotel staff as well as now being the preferred dress for more formal occasions," says Huong, a secretary for a foreign company. "I feel proud of my heritage when I wear it." For visitors, the pink and blue of the Vietnam Airlines uniform creates a lasting memory as they travel.

Early versions of the ao dai date back to 1744 when Lord Vu Vuong of the Nguyen Dynasty decreed both men and women should wear an ensemble of trousers and a gown that buttoned down the front. It was not until 1930 that the ao dai as we know it really appeared. Vietnamese fashion designer and writer Cat Tuong, or as the French knew him, Monsieur Le Mur, lengthened the top so it reached the floor, fitted the bodice to the curves of the body and moved the buttons from the front to an opening along the shoulder and side seam. Men wore it less, generally only on ceremonial occasions such as at weddings or funerals. But it took another twenty years before the next major design change was incorporated and the modern ao dai emerged. During the 1950s two tailors in Saigon, Tran Kim of Thiet Lap Tailors and Dung of Dung Tailors, started producing the gowns with raglan sleeves. This creates a diagonal seam running from the collar to the underarm and today, this style is still preferred.

Its popularity is also spreading well beyond Vietnam's borders. For years Vietnamese immigrants preferred to adopt Western dress and blend with their new community but now the ao dai is seeing a revival amongst overseas Vietnamese. At least here in the United States this may be partly due to the arrival of Tram Kim, known as Mr. Ao Dai. He shifted to California in 1982 and opened a new branch of Thiet Lap Tailors in Garden Grove, Orange County, leaving his Saigon store to his son. There are even annual Miss Ao Dai pageants held and the prestigious Long Beach show attracts entrants from across the country. The clothing has also inspired French designers including top names such as Christian Lacroix and Claude Montana, and variations of the tight sleeves, fitted bodice, high collar and flowing trousers have been seen on the catwalks of Europe.

Every ao dai is custom made, accounting for the fit that creates such a flattering look. Stores specialize in their production and a team of cutters, sewers and fitters ensure that the final product will highlight the figure of the wearer. Thuy, a fitter in Ho Chi Minh City, says, "To create the perfect fit, customers take their undergarments and shoes with them for the fittings." The pants should reach the soles of the feet and flow along the floor.

Comfort has not been forgotten at the expense of fashion and beauty. The cut allows the wearer freedom of movement and despite covering the whole body, it is cool to wear. Synthetic fabrics are preferred as they do not crush and are quick drying, making the ao dai a practical uniform for daily wear.

Its popularity may be its undoing as the garment is now being mass produced to make it more available and cheaper. The gown length appears to be gradually shortening and today is usually just below the knee. Variations in the neck, between boat and mandarin style, are common and even adventurous alterations such as a low scooped neckline, puffed sleeves or off the shoulder designs are appearing as ladies experiment with fashion. Colors are no longer as rigidly controlled and access to new fabrics has created some dazzling results. But most visitors to Vietnam agree that the tailors already have the perfect cut. It is hard to think of a more elegant, demure and yet sexy outfit, that suits Vietnamese women of all ages, than the ao dai.

Ao Dai
The National Costume
By: Claire Ellis

List of cities and province in Vietnam

2008-01-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

Vietnam

is composed of 64 provinces and centrally-administered cities grouped into regions as follows:

Northeast Vietnam: Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Bac Can, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh.

Northwest Vietnam: Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La and Hoa Binh.

Red River Delta: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Tay, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, and Ninh Binh.

North Central Coast: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.

South Central Coast: Quang Nam, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa.

Central Highlands: Tay Nguyen Highlands, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Dac Lac and Dac Nong.

Southeast Vietnam: Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Mekong River Delta: Long An, Dong Thap, An Giang, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Kien Giang, Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau.

A Brief History of Kings, Dynasties and the Name of Vietnam

2008-01-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

A Brief History of Kings, Dynasties and the Name of Vietnam

At the beginning of the Bronze Age, the Viet tribe groups had settled in the North and North-Centre Vietnam. There were about 15 groups of Lac Viet tribesmen living mainly in the northern highlands and delta, and a dozen Au Viet groups living in Viet Bac, the northern region of old Vietnam. At that time, the two ethnic tribes of the Lac Viet and Au Viet lived together in many areas with other inhabitants.

Due to the increasing needs to control floods, fight against invaders, and exchange culture and economy, these tribes living near each other tended to gather and integrate into a larger mixed groups. Among these Lac Viet tribes was the Van Lang, also the most powerful tribe. The leader of this tribe joined all the Lac Viet tribes together to found Van Lang Nation, addressing himself as Hung King.

The next generations followed in their father’s footsteps and kept this appellation. Based on historical documents, researchers correlatively delineated the location of Van Lang Nation to the present day regions of North and North-Central Vietnam, as well as, the South of present-day Kwangsi (China). The Van Lang Nation lasted approximately from the beginning of the first millennium B.C. to the 3rd century B.C.

In 221 BC, Tan Thuy Hoang, King of Tan (China), invaded the land of the Viet tribes. Thuc Phan, the leader of the alliance of Au-Viet tribes was respected as the chief of the resistance war against the Tan enemy that later, in 208 BC, was forced to withdraw. With his imposing power, Thuc Phan nominated himself as King An Duong Vuong and founded Au Lac Nation with groups of Lac Viet and Au Viet tribes.

In 179 BC, Trieu Da, King of Nam Viet (China), invaded Au Lac country. The resistance of An Duong Vuong failed soon after this invasion. As a result, the northern feudalist took turns dominating the country over the next seven centuries, establishing their harsh regime in the country and dividing the country into administrative regions and districts with unfamiliar names. However, the country’s name of Au Lac would not be erased from the people’s minds or their everyday life.

In the spring of 542, Ly Bi rose up in arms and swept away the Chinese administration, liberating the territory. He declared himself King of Van Xuan Kingdom in February 544, acknowledging the national superiority complex of the independent spirits to live in eternal peace. However, the existence of Ly Bi’s administration was very brief. He was defeated by the Chinese imperial army, and the country returned to feudal Chinese domination again in 602. The name Van Xuan was restored only after the victory over the Han army at the Bach Dang River led by General Ngo Quyen in 938. This victory marked the end of the Chinese domination period in Vietnam.

In 968, Dinh Bo Linh defeated the twelve lords and unified the country. He declared himself King and named the country Dai Co Viet. This name remained throughout the Dinh dynasty (868-979), Pre-Le dynasty (980-1009) and the beginning of Ly dynasty (1010-1053).

In 1054, a flaming bright star appeared in the sky for many days, which was considered a good omen. As a result, the Ly King changed the name of the country to Dai Viet. This name remained until the end of Tran dynasty.

In March 1400, Ho Quy Ly usurped the throne of King Tran Thieu De, founded the Ho dynasty and changed the country’s name to Dai Ngu, meaning peace in the ancient language. This name only lasted for very short time, until April 1407, when the Minh enemy invaded Dai Ngu and defeated the Ho dynasty.

After 10 years of resistance against the Ming (Chinese) occupation (1418-1427), Le Loi had achieved a victorious triumph. In 1428, Le Loi declared himself King of Le dynasty and changed the name of the country back to Dai Viet. At this time, the territory of Vietnam had expanded to the region of present-day Hue. The name Dai Viet remained under the Le dynasty (1428-1787) and the Tay Son dynasty (1788-1810).

In 1802, Nguyen Anh claimed his coronation to become the first Nguyen King, starting the Nguyen dynasty and changing the country’s name to Viet Nam. This name was officially recognized in many diplomatic missions in 1804. However, the words "Viet Nam" had already appeared very early in history.

First, in the 14th century, in a book of code entitled "Viet Nam The Chi", edited by Doctor Ho Tong Thoc. Then in the book by scholar Nguyen Trai entitled "Du Dia Chi" at the beginning of 15th century, the words "Viet Nam" were repeated several times. Doctor Trinh Nguyen Binh Khiem (1491-1585) had written on the first page of his work "Trinh Tien Sinh Quoc Ngu" the following: "... Viet Nam has constructed its foundation..." The words "Viet Nam" were also found in some carved stelae of the 16th - 17th century in Bao Lam Pagoda, Haiphong (1558), in Cam Lo Pagoda, Ha Tay (1590), in Phuc Thanh Pagoda, Bac Ninh (1664), etc. In particular, in the first sentence on the stele Thuy Mon Dinh (1670) at the landmark on the border at Lang Son, it was written: "This is the gateway of Viet Nam that guards the northern frontiers..."

In terms of meaning, there are many theories that prove the words "Viet Nam" are created by combining two racial and geographic elements, which is understood as "Viet people from the south". During the reign of King Minh Mang (1820-1840), the name of the country was changed to Dai Nam, but Viet Nam was still widely used in many literary works, civil business affairs, and social relations.

Following the triumph of the August Revolution on August 19, 1945, which had entirely swept away Vietnamese feudal and French colonial oppression and began a new era in the country, President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the nation’s independence and the national name Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born on September 2, 1945. Although Vietnam suffered from war and separation in the following 30 years, the sacred words "Viet Nam" were very popularily used from the north to the south, and were deeply imprinted in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.

Following the liberation of Southern Vietnam on April 30, 1975, the entire country of Vietnam was completely unified. In the first meeting of the national assembly of the unified Vietnam on July 2, 1976, the assembly decided to name the country The Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The constitution of 1980, and 1992, continued its affirmation of the country’s official name, legally and actually.

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Vietnam Travel - Public Holidays (Part 4)

2008-01-15T20:40:00.000-08:00

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

1 Jan

New Year’s Day

7 Feb 8
Lunar New Year (Tet)

30 Apr
Saigon Liberation Day

1 May
International Labour Day

2 Sep
National Day

• Business hours: (GMT + 7)- Offices: 8:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m and 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m, closed on Saturdays & Sundays.- Banks: 8:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m, closed on Saturdays & Sundays. more detials

Vietnam Travel - Health (Part 3)

2008-01-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

HEALTH

No vaccinations are presently required for visitors to enter Vietnam. However, it is advisable that precautionary measures be taken for cholera, malaria, hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tuberculosis.

Although international medical centres are available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, it can be expensive for emergency care. Therefore, health and emergency medical insurance prior to visiting Vietnam is highly recommended for foreigners.

Clinics with qualified Vietnamese and foreign doctors to treat foreign patients:

Hanoi:

+ Viet Duc Hospital40 Trang Thi St., Hoan Kiem DistrictTel: (84.4) 8253531

+ Asia Emergency Assistance31 Hai Ba Trung St., Hoan Kiem DistrictTel: (84.4) 9340555

Ho Chi Minh City:

+ Asia Emergency Assistance65 Nguyen Du St., District 1Tel: (84.8) 8298520

+ Columbia International Healthcare08 Alexandre de Rhodes St., District 1Tel: (84.8) 8238455

see more list of hospitals and clinics

Vietnam Travel - Things to know and useful tips (Part 2)

2008-01-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

Electric power: Electric current in Vietnam is 220 Volts.

Water supply: Tap water in urban areas in Vietnam is chlorinated, but it is recommended that it should be boiled before drinking.

Money: The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used unformly throughout the country. Bank notes in denominations of 200d to 500,000d are presently in circulation. The exchange rate is approximately 16,000d = US$1. At present certain travelers' cheques such as Amercian Express and credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted in cities.

Language: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Foreign language learning, particularly English, is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and other cities. Tourist guides can speak English, French, Russian, Chinese and Japanese.
Postal service: A regular international post service is available. In addition there are some new, special services: Express Mail Service (EMS). The domestic EMS ensures that letters and small parcels are delivered within 24-48 hours. International EMS has relations with nearly 30 countries world-wide, with a delivery time ranging from 2 to 10 days. Air mail and small parcels must however be subject to additional charges. Express money transfer is also available; money is delivered to the receiver within 24 hours.

Telecommunications: Long-distance and international direct-dial calling is available throughout the country. Fax machines are quickly proliferating in Vietnam; public and registered fax machines are available in hotels, business and public offices. Internet access is available at most hotels and Internet cafes.

Television and Radio: Vietnam Television (VTV) broadcasts three channels (VTV1, VTV2 and VTV3) throughout the country and VTV4 for overseas Vietnamese. VTV will have eight channels by 2010. International channels such as CNN are available in most hotels equiped with sattelite dishes or TV cables. Voice of Vietnam Radio broadcasts throughout the country; all provinces and cities have their own radio stations as well.

Read on >>

Vietnam Travel - Things to know and useful tips (Part 1)

2008-01-15T19:23:00.000-08:00

Vietnamese people are very friendly, polite and generous. In general, we will make every effort to have foreign guests feel comfortable. In the cities and countryside towns, do not be surprised to be invited into a home to meet the family of someone you may have just met. These are the experiences that will enrich your visit to Vietnam.

Below is a list of Do's and Don’ts to help you avoid some of the social taboos during your visit. Take these into consideration and you will be rewarded with a culturally and socially enriching experience.

Do's

ALWAYS drink plenty of bottled water. During the summer months you should be drinking a minimum of 2 liters per day. If you drink tea, coffee & alcohol you should increase you water intake accordingly as these will dehydrate you.

Before venturing out from your hotel, ensure you have a hotel business card from the reception desk. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi or cyclo much easier.

For longer excursions from your base hotel, it is always a good idea to carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack. You never know when you will need it.

Always dress appropriately. Not only for the prevailing climatic conditions, but also not to cause offence to the local people. Vietnamese have conservative dress codes and it is only in larger cities that these codes are relaxed a little.

Always leave your excess cash, airline tickets, passports and valuables with the hotels safety deposit facility.

Always be aware when entering someone’s home as at some homes it is a must to remove your shoes at the front door.

Always ask his or her permission first when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes. DO NOT push the issue or offer money.

Don'ts

Never wear shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.

Never give your empty water bottles, sweets and candies to the local people when trekking through ethnic minority villages. You cannot guarantee that the empty bottles will be disposed of in a correct manner and most of these people do not have access to dental health. If you would like to give pens/paper, ask your guide to introduce you to the local teacher and give them to the teacher for distribution.

Never sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar in someone’s house.

Never venture out from your hotel with more cash than you really need for that day. It is NOT something to be paranoid about, simply do not make yourself a target for pickpockets or drive-by bag snatchers in the big cities. Ho Chi Minh City seems to be a little worse than anywhere else in Vietnam is. On the whole it is one of the safest countries you could wish to travel in.

Never lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both parties. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanor and you will be reciprocated with the same.

Never try and take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security.

Never take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by many local people.

Read on >>

Delicious Food for Christmas and New Year

2007-12-24T21:28:00.000-08:00

Try experiencing your country's food along with Vietnamese ones in Vietnam to see how wonderful it is.

Enjoy these wonderful foods with your friends and family on these special holidays of the year in Vietnam.

Dessert & beverage for Christmas and New Year

Understand about Tet - Traditional Holiday of Vietnam

2007-11-25T05:31:00.000-08:00

Ancestor worship is an indispensable activity for Vietnamese people in special ceremonies, especially at Tet (Lunar New Year). Reported by Thanh, Nguyen

“Birds have nests, humans have ancestors” – is a well-known saying that has existed long time ago so the belief of ancestral worship dates is known from that time. It has been playing an important role in Vietnamese and influencing on the spiritual life of the country when Tet comes. Every time Tet comes, Vietnamese carefully prepare for worshipping; they are very serious about this.

Ancestor worship, one of the Vietnamese customs, was under the influence of China, but after thousands years of existing, it becomes the Vietnamese particular cultural character and long-standing custom that can be indispensable in every Vietnamese people.

Tet is an opportunity to invite and welcome deceased ancestor back for family reunion with their descendants to join the family’s Tet celebration. Preparation for the celebration of the New Year is usually make weeks ahead. On that day, family members together make food, fruit and incense that offer on the altars to commemorate their ancestors.

Food and A tray of five kinds of fruits:

According to the ancient Oriental people, the universe was taken its shape by five elements – called five basic elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Ideology as well as the image of “five basic elements” entered into the material and spiritual life of Oriental people with many features. The Vietnamese people’s custom of worshipping the Tet fruit tray is one of these features.

The fruit tray in the North is, as a whole, smaller than that in the South. It must have three kinds of fruits: banana, grapefruit, mandarin (or orange) while a pair of watermelons and four kinds of fruits: custard apple, coconut, papaya, mango cannot be missing on the fruit tray in the South. For Southerners, this fruit tray means that it will bring a comfortable life and best wishes – the most common demand in the New Year. Tet days are always regarded as a perfect time for people to offer traditional food such as banh chung - a square-shaped sticky rice cake and boiled-chicken on the altar to welcome back our ancestors.

Vietnam travel

2007-11-15T21:07:00.001-08:00

Ha Long Bay - Vietnam

Most visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats.

There are some divine beaches along the coast, while inland there are soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by dense, misty forests। Vietnam also offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty rapidly opening up to the outside world.

There are no good or bad seasons to visit Vietnam। When one region is wet, cold or steamy hot, there is always somewhere else that is sunny and pleasant। Basically, the south has two seasons: the wet (May to November, wettest from June to August) and the dry (December to April). The hottest and most humid time is from the end of February to May. The central coast is dry from May to October and wet from December to February. The highland areas are significantly cooler than the lowlands, and temperatures can get down to freezing in winter. The north has two seasons: cool, damp winters (November to April) and hot summers (May to October). There is the possibility of typhoons between July and November, affecting the north and central areas.

Travellers should take the Tet Festival (late January or early February) into account when planning a trip। Travel (including international travel) becomes very difficult, hotels are full and many services close down for at least a week and possibly a lot longer.

The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese with minute percentages of Chinese। The Viet culture originated on the delta of the Red River and the Ma River where the Viet people cultivated paddy fields। They led a simple farming life in small villages, usually living around a communal house. Today the people living in the countryside follow this lifestyle. The Viet people are influenced by Confucianism, in particular the principle of respect for their elders.

In spite of the immense suffering of the Vietnamese and the somewhat ruined state of the country, they are generally warm and friendly, and surprisingly, the Vietnamese bear little if any resentment or bitterness toward Americans। Children in the streets will commonly greet visitors with the name Lien Xo, which means Russian, but they will easily be corrected if you respond, "Hello!" or "Good morning" and explain you are an American, European or Australian, etc.

Ethnic Groups:
The country is predominantly 85-90% Vietnamese, 3% Chinese, ethnic minorities include Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham, and other mountain tribes.

Languages:
Vietnamese is the official language; French, Chinese, English, Khmer and tribal dialects (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) are also spoken.

Religion:
Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic and Protestant.

Vietnam, a name too long associated with the horrors of war, has finally won its last battle - to capture the imagination of the travelling public. Elegant Hanoi now vies with its dynamic sister, Ho Chi Minh City (still fondly called Saigon by the locals), for the attention of visitors drawn by the eclectic mix of old and new. In both cities the streets are jam-packed with motorbikes and scooters, often carrying whole families, and the markets are chaotically busy.

Elsewhere, the scenes are timeless। Early morning on the Mekong Delta brings the daily floating markets where fruit and vegetables are peddled। Everywhere the green patchwork of rice paddies stretches into the distance, broken only by the silhouette of water buffalo and conical-hatted farm workers bending down to tend the young plants.

The soaring mountains in the north of the country tower over tiny villages where life continues much as it has done for centuries, with traditional costumes still proudly worn. Old French hill stations survive throughout the country offering welcome respite from the heat of the plains below.

The ancient former imperial capital, Hué, takes visitors back to a time of concubines and eunuchs. In every town, young women wearing the simple but feminine national dress, the ao dai, weave their way through the traffic at the controls of a motorbike.

Only in Vietnam could the past and the present be encapsulated so perfectly.