by Ronald HN Tan

For many people still, the mention of Vietnam brings back the traumatic events of the 1960s and 70s, but the country has moved on while not forgetting. The two major cities of Vietnam are well known because of the war, but there are others which are now beginning to come out from under the shadow of the past.

Hanoi, the capital of ancient and present day Vietnam has a history of over 1,000 years and much of the relatively recent past is well preserved. The city is said to have over 600 temples and pagodas and, as it was also the capital of French Indochina, it has a large number of French style villas and other examples of French imperial architecture such as the Grand Opera House and the Presidential Palace (formerly the Palace of The Governor-General of French Indochina).

Hanoi’s Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem lake, still retains the original street layout and architecture of old Hanoi. The area is best explored on foot and features many small artisan shops and small restaurants offering local cuisine.

At the opposite end of the country lies Vietnam’s largest city, known as Ho Chi Minh City since 1975, but still known to many as Saigon. The city is noted for its wide boulevards and its French colonial architecture such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and hotels such as the Hotel Majestic.

But Ho Chi Minh City is a rapidly changing city. As Vietnams’ financial centre, it is in the process of building the infrastructure of a dynamic international city. This means that much of the traditional culture of the city has become rather hidden, but one of the joys of the city is in finding unexpected gems among the new high rise blocks.

In Central Vietnam lies the less well-known city of Hue. From 1802 to 1945, Hue was the Imperial capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. The emperors lived in The Citadel, Vietnam’s equivalent of China’s Forbidden City. The Citadel lies on the north side of the river which bisects Hue, but was badly damaged during the Vietnam War and little remains, although efforts are now being made to restore the palace.

But the city has many other historical monuments – enough to merit United Nations World Heritage status. Thien Mu Pagoda is the symbol of the city and there are several reminders of Vietnam’s imperial past, including the tombs of many emperors. Here too the French built their imposing buildings such as the famed Quoc Hoc High School.

Da Nang is the largest city in central Vietnam and was used as an air base by American troops during the war. It also boasts the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach, a white sandy beach which was a favourite R&R spot for US troops. Today, the beach is home to expensive resorts, surfing and entertainment facilities.

Can Tho, in the far south, could be said to be the capital of the Mekong Delta area. This area is the ‘rice basket’ of Vietnam and Can Tho is famous for its floating markets and the wide selection of fruit available.

But perhaps, Vietnam’s greatest attractions are not in its cities, but in the countryside and along the country’s long coastline. In the far north-west one can find the once mysterious hill tribes and ethnic minorities who still largely live as they have done for thousands of years. Despite their fierce resistance to the French colonists, they are a hospitable people who welcome visitors.

On the coast there are hundreds of pristine beaches, some highly developed offering every luxury and some remote and secluded. Then, in the north, there is the stunning Ha Long Bay area with its thousands of karst peaks rising from the sea, its spectacular caves and its magical islands.

Are you planning to visit Vietnam? Please contact Indochina Odyssey Tours ,  maybe they can give you some help.

48 visits Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city, its economic and cultural hub and one of the most promising cities in Asia.
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