VIETNAM

Official name          : Socialistic Republic of Vietnam

Capital                      : Hanoi

Currency                  : Dong (VND)

Language                : Vietnamese

Inhabitants              : 86.000.000

Visa required          : Yes (not on arrival)

The country of Vietnam had always a “label” around his neck even before the tourist came here to explore the land – and this was not always very positive. First there was the war with the France, then the Americans were here which ended up with thousands of “boat” refugees. For years the communistic country of Vietnam was boycotted by the West – not only by the U.S. but also many European countries.

The last years the country is “booming’ although still communistic or social whatever you want to call it. Vietnam is young, wild and willing; in the streets commerce is everywhere although the government preaches Marxism, the economy is capitalism and nothing else. Vietnam exports more coffee than Brazil , more rice than Thailand and the country is in the last 10 years in every top 10 concerning fastest growing economies in the world.

Next to a very driven and interesting history the country has got a very diverse landscape with high mountains, wild rivers, sandy beaches, rice terraces and a huge delta. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are metro poles while Halong Bay is to be considered one of the top touristic sites of South East Asia. A very small strip of land on the edge of the continent of Asia is definitely worth wile visiting. 

In het south of Vietnam there is the mighty Mekong-delta, which is a very big area that’s also referred to the rice bowl of the country. This is one of the most populated areas of Vietnam and in the world and full of little and big canals, rivers and islands. Ho Chi Minh City or the old Saigon is a conglomerate of millions of people, the big economic drawcard of the country and has got some very interesting “war” sites next to other places.

The central part of Vietnam is probably the most fascinating part concerning diversity; beautiful sandy beaches with white sand and waving palm trees, but also old Cham ruins, the Central Highlands and the Colonial city of Hoi-An that survived the war tremendously intact. The old Emperor capital Hue and the DMZ are also in the centre of the country with the old border between North and South Vietnam. You can make a tour to all the old American military camps that once were part of the McNamara line during the Vietnam war.  

The biggest draw card for tourists has to be Halong Bay in Northern Vietnam – a bay full of pointy Limestone mountains and hills with sandy beaches, little “green” islands and surrounded by amazing blue waters. A boat trip through this wonderful and unique UNESCO worldheritage area is a definite must. This very photogenic landscape you can also admire on land in Vietnam; between the capital of Hanoi and the city of Ninh Binh there are lots of opportunities to take a better look at his spectacle.

Many people will mention Hanoi, the capital city of Socialistic Vietnam, the classic lady of the Orient and or the pearl of Vietnam should also not be missed. Cyclo’s (bicycle taxi’s) find their way into the crowded narrow streets in the old quarter next to thousands of scooters, busses and other traffic. Another highlight of the city is the mausoleum were the Father of Fatherlands is balsemed; Ho Chi Minh.