Vietnam
Few countries have changed so much over such a short time as Vietnam. Only thirty-odd years after the savagery and slaughter of the American War, this resilient nation is buoyant with hope. It is a country on the move: access is now easier than ever, roads are being upgraded, hotels are springing up and Vietnam's raucous entrepreneurial spirit is once again alive and well as the old-style Communist system gives way to a socialist market economy. As the number of tourists finding their way here soars, the word is out that this is a land not of bomb craters and army ordnance but of shimmering paddy fields and sugar-white beaches, full-tilt cities and venerable pagodas – often overwhelming in its sheer beauty.
Many visitors find more than enough to intrigue and excite them in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and the other major centres; but despite the cities' allure, it's the country's striking landscape that most impresses. To the north and south of its narrow waist, it fantails out into the splendid deltas of the Red River and the Mekong, and it's in these regions that you'll encounter the paddy fields, dragonflies, buffaloes and conical-hatted farmers that constitute the classic image of Vietnam.
Ten Things You Must Do
1 The northern mountains • Vietnam's most impressive mountainscapes offer not just scenic rewards but also the chance to visit an ethnic minority village.
2 Browse the markets • Markets such as Binh Tay are good grazing grounds for snacks such as soups, spring rolls and sticky rice cakes. Try a banana-leaf filled with pâte to keep you going while you shop.
3 Bahnar villages • Spend the night in a communal house (rong) where timeless village ceremonies are performed and important decisions are made.
4 Temples and pagodas • The Vietnamese architectural style is best represented by its temples and pagodas, which reflect the country's diverse range of religions. Ngoc Son on Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is a particularly good example.
5 Trekking around Sa Pa • Go trekking in the northern mountains around Sa Pa – a small market town perched on a high plateau facing Fan Si Pan, Vietnam's highest peak.
6 Express silk tailoring • Pick up a bargain at Hoi An market from one of the many tailors who can rustle up a made-to-measure silk dress, suit or even shoes for you in just a few hours.
7 Nha Trang • Take a snorkelling trip in the emerald waters of the outlying islands around Nha Trang, followed by a seafood feast on board your boat.
8 Cao Dai Cathedral • Vietnam's most charismatic indigenous religion goes in for exuberant architecture, with its Supreme Being symbolized by the all-seeing Eye.
9 The citadel, Hué • The former capital's historic citadel, mausoleums and gardens are idiosyncratic enough to impress even the most jaded traveller.
10 Hon Chong peninsula • Enjoy the Mekong Delta's most attractive palm-fringed beaches, dramatic offshore isles and calm waters.
Discover more to see and do in Vietnam at Rough Guides.
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