Monday, June 1, 2009

Vietnam


Welcome to another world, a world where the colours are more vivid, the culture is richer, and the history more compelling. This is the world of Vietnam. Nature has blessed Vietnam with a bountiful harvest. With soaring peaks like Hoang Lien mountains and a killer coastline, with beaches like Quy Nhon and Nha Trang, Vietnam is simply stunning. Blanketed from head to toe with a patchwork of emerald-green rice paddies, timelessly tended by peasant women in conical hats, etc.

The rumble of a million motorbikes, the cries of hawkers and the buzz of business transactions are as ever-present as the tinkle of the past in the pagodas, and the swish of the scythe. Modern Asia meets medieval Asia. For culinary adventurers, Vietnam is a treasure trove of more than 500 different dishes. It's a wonderful world of pungent herbs and secret spices. Dip delicate spring rolls in nuoc mam, a fish sauce that is as compulsory as ketchup for the Vietnamese. Or play 'down-in-one' with xeo (rice wine), the whisky of the mountains.
Sapa
Swoon at the valley views from this rugged mountain retreat, a home to a wealth of minority peoples and a base for exploring the Tonkinese Alps.

Halong Bay
Experience nature at its outrageous best, where hundreds of limestone peaks tower above the shimmering seas, a karst system with a difference.
Hanoi
Steeped in history, pulsating with life, bubbling with commerce, buzzing with motorbikes and rich in exotic scents, this is a captivating capital.
Mai Chau
Go native with an overnight stay in a traditional Thai stilt house, amid the lush valleys.

Ninh Binh
Encounter rural life from this country town, surrounded by ancient temples, limestone crags, nature reserves and endless paddies.

Hué
Intellectual, cultural and spiritual heartbeat of Vietnam, the old imperial capital offers historical, spiritual and culinary stimulation.
Hoi An
Spared from wartime devastation, Hoi An’s cobbled lanes and historic buildings make for a magical and memorable stop.
Quy Nhon
Access beautiful beaches and amazing Cham architecture from one of the coast’s less touristy cities.

Nha Trang
Beach culture to the max, this is the place to chill out, party hard or dive into the turquoise depths.

Dalat
A completely different view of Vietnam, this mountain town combines the French Alps with plenty of Bohemian cool.

Cat Tien National Park
Lush refuge for city dwellers with ample hiking and bird-watching opportunities, plus elephants, crocodiles and the endangered Javan rhino.

Mui Ne
Action or inertia, take your pick, this place is made for surfing (wind, board or kite) or blobbing on the beach.

Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s commercial heart, a riverside metropolis of old and new with world-class restaurants and bars, and buzzing, seductive energy.

Mekong Delta
Watery world of bustling river towns and sleepy villages, floating markets and tasty fish served by uber-friendly locals.

Phu Quoc
White-sand beaches and little development make for a magical tropical getaway on this forested island gem.

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