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History of Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam is a densely-populated, progressing country that in the last 30 years has had to recover from the devastation of war, the loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the inflexibility of a designed economy. Significant advancement was accomplished from 1986 to 1997 in progressing ahead from an enormously low intensity of development and considerably plummeting poverty.
Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter “S”, situated on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula. To the north is China, to the west – Laos and Cambodia, the East Sea to the east and to the east and south the Pacific Ocean. Mountains and hills surround three quarters of Vietnam’s territory. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam.
The beautiful natural surroundings of the country is excessively fascinating to visitors with the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and roughly the entire coastal strip is covered with green rice paddies take care of by women in conical hats. Soaring mountains some covered by dense forests and beaches along the coast, make Vietnam a brilliant spectacle.
Languages Spoken
Even though there are dialectic variations across Vietnam, the official language of the country is Vietnamese (kinh). Various ethnic minorities speak different languages and Khmer and Loatian are spoken in some parts. Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), English, French and Russian are the most widely spoken foreign languages in Vietnam.
Religion
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity are the four great philosophers and religions which have influenced the Vietnamese people. Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have melded with prevalent Chinese values and ancient Vietnamese animism to form what is known as Tam Giao (or 'Triple Religion')
Best season for a vacation
You can go to visit Vietnam at any time of the year. One region may be scorching hot or bitterly cold and another may be wet while it may be pleasing somewhere else. Predominantly, there are two seasons in the south – the wet i.e. from May to November, wettest being from June to August and the dry season from December to April.
The hottest and most humid period 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 regions are considerably cooler than the lowlands, where it can get freezing in winter. There are two seasons in the north cool, damp winters from November to April while the hot summers being from May to October. Between the months of July and November there is a possibility of typhoons affecting the north and central regions.
What to look for
Trendy arty forms comprise: traditional painting created on frame-mounted silk; an eclectic array of theatre, puppetry, music and dance; religious sculpture; lacquer ware and ceramics.
Food
The staple food of the people of Vietnam is simple white rice dressed up with a plenty of vegetables, fish (which is common in Vietnam), meat, spices and sauces. Spring rolls, noodles and steamed rice dumplings are well-liked snacks, and the omnipresent soups contain eel and vermicelli, shredded chicken and bitter soups.
It is said that there are about 500 various traditional dishes includes meat – though you must watch out before you make your pick as you might eat a rare animal. Incredible cuisines are also on the list for the vegetarian traveller.
Fruit is abundantly available; some of the more bizarre ones include green dragon fruit, jujube, khaki, longan, mangos teen, pomelo, three-seed cherry and water apple. Vietnamese coffee (ca phe phin) is very good and it's usually served very strong and very sweet.
Sight Seeing
Vietnam’s tranquil Mui Ne Beach, further north in Nha Trang offers a varying feast for the eyes. You may trek through the northern mountains or sashay through the colonial elegance of Ho Chi Minh City. The fabulous rock formations, sea cliffs and grottoes of Halong Bay are waiting to be discovered by the enthusiastic traveller.
Dalat
The jewel of the southern Central Highlands region is the city of Dalat, which is one of the most enchanting cities of Vietnam. The climate is cool and pleasant and the park-like environment (dotted with Vietnamese-style kitsch) makes it a wonderful sight. Dalat is also a good base for trips into the surrounding highlands, which remain serene.
Appealing art and artefacts are satiated in Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace which you can browse through. The Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery, nicknamed the Crazy House by locals is a counter-cultural gem created by artist and architect Mrs Dang Viet Nga (known as Hang Nga).
Dien Bien Phu
The heart-shaped Muong Thanh Valley near the Lao border is Dien Bien Phu, one of the remotest parts of Vietnam. The valley is encircled by steep, heavily forested hills and the area is inhabited by hill tribes, particularly the Tai and H'mong. It was here in 1954 that Viet Minh forces overran the besieged French garrison after a 57-day siege, concluding any possibility of France re-setting colonial control of Indochina.
Ha Tien
The town of Ha Tien situated on the Gulf of Thailand, 8km (5mi) from the Cambodian border, are well-known for their warm-water, white-sand beaches, fishing villages , seafood, black-pepper tree plantations and towering limestone formations.
A network of caves, many of which have been turned into cave temples are found here. Ha Tien is a 10-hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City. Because of uncleared land mines and booby traps, be cautious of travelling off the beaten track near the Cambodian border.
Halong Bay
One of Vietnam's natural marvels is Halong Bay, with its 3000 islands rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, dotted with countless beaches and grottoes created by the wind and waves. Hang Dau Go is the most impressive grotto, a huge cave of three chambers.
Ha Long means 'where the dragon descended into the sea', and refers to a legend about a dragon who created the bay and islands with its flailing tail. There's a modern legendary creature, the Tarasque, said to haunt the area. Taking a tour of the bay is the key pursuit of the traveller.
Hanoi
Hanoi is one of the most mesmerising cities in Southeast Asia personifying the spirit of historic Vietnam in the temples, monuments and pockets of ancient culture along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter reflects the brisk changes sweeping the country as Hanoian yuppies sip cappuccinos in roadside cafes and compare cell phones.
Hanoi is slow-paced and pleasant, with a charming landscape of lakes, shaded boulevards, grassy public parks and French-colonial architecture.
Sight Seeing in Hanoi
The city offers countless attractions that can be seen year-round, and the climate is generally agreeable. The tourist season runs from late June through August and October through Tet, the New Year's celebration that takes place in late January or early February. It's worth making the effort to see Hanoi dressed up for Tet, accommodations and transportation are to be booked in advance as Vietnamese are apt to travel in the summer and around Tet, thus public transportation becomes much more difficult to avail.
Ho Chi Minh
The heart and soul of Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in the country, the economic capital and the cultural trendsetter is an active and industrious centre. Yet within the teeming metropolis are the timeless traditions and beauty of an ancient culture. There are a muddle of street markets, store, pavement cafes, stands-on-wheels and vendors selling wares extended out on sidewalks which is a real treat to the eye.
Best season to visit Ho Chi Minh
January and February can be hectic and stimulating if you desire to enjoy the revelry of the Tet Festival. Though, weather- wise the best season to visit this city is during the dry season between December and April, when humidity is a little low and endurable. Tourists usually drop in around November staying on through March.
Hue
Conventionally, one of Vietnam's main cultural, religious and education centres is Hue. The magnificent Royal Tombs, of the Nguyen emperors (9mi) is about 15km south of Hue. One of the most famous buildings in Vietnam is the Thien Mu Pagoda which possesses the remains of the huge moated citadel, erected by Emperor Gia Long, includes many remarkable sights, worthy of being noted for instance the Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Holy Cannons, the Palace of Supreme Harmony, Nine Dynastic Urns and the Halls of the Mandarins.
Ba Be National Park
A picturesque tropical rainforest zone containing more than 23,000 hectares (56,800 acres) and boasting over 550 named plant species, waterfalls, rivers, deep valleys, lakes and caves set amid towering peaks is the Ba Be National Park. The adjacent vicinity is home to members of the Tay minority, who live in stilt homes.
Halong Bay
Indisputably, the natural wonder of Vietnam, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, it comprises 3000 or more, unbelievable islands rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, dotted with beaches and grottoes created by wind and waves, and have sparsely forested slopes ringing with birdsong.
Mariamman Hindu Temple
45 ? Truong Dinh
Though there are only 50 to 60 Tamil Hindus in HCMC, Mariamman Hindu Temple is considered sanctified by many ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese. This temple was built at the end of the 19th century and is devoted to the Hindu goddess Mariamman. The visiting hrs are 7:00am-7:00pm.
My Son
A monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site, My Son is the most important centre of the ancient kingdom of Champa. The monuments are set in a lush verdant valley bounded by hills and overlooked by the mammoth Cat's Tooth Mountain. The visiting hrs are 6:30am - 4:30pm.
Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda
184 ? Hung Vuong
One of the most skillfully adorned in the city stands the Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda built by the Fujian Chinese congregation in 1902. The countless small porcelain figures, the sophisticated brass ritual items and the fine woodcarvings on the altars, walls and hanging lanterns are particularly magnetising. You can get a fascinating view of the ceramic scenes, from outside the building, each made up of endless small figurines, embellishing the roof.The visiting hrs are 7:00am-5:30pm.
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