Vietnam:

As the number of tourists finding their way to Vietnam increases steadily, roads are being upgraded, hotels are being built and everything is moving forward. Now is a great time to visit Vietnam, not only to soak up the culture & cuisine but also to experience the rumble of a million motorbikes, the buzz of the markets and it’s killer coastline.

Ho Chi Minh (still Saigon to the locals) in the south provides a head-spinning introduction to Vietnam. It is Vietnam’s commercial heart and a metropolis of old & new with world-class restaurants, bars and seductive energy. For day trips outside Saigon, any tourists will venture southwest to the Mekong Delta for a taste of the simple fishing village life and maybe some Coconut Candy. Another popular stop is the Cu Chi Tunnels where Vietnamese villagers used the 200-kilometer tunnel system to hide from the US bombs.

Following the coastline going north you can discover the relaxing beach community of Nha Trang. This is the place to chill out on the beach or boat. Don’t miss a stopover in Hoi An and walk the cobblestone streets, see the historic buildings and get some fine looking silk clothes tailor made. Hue is the ancient and former imperial capital of Vietnam. Take a step back to the times of emperors, palaces and mausoleums. From Hue, take the Reunification Express to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city for close to one thousand years. Life here is at a gentler pace than the hustle and bustle of Saigon. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace.

A day (or two) trip outside of Hanoi is Halong Bay is not to be missed. Experience nature at its outrageous best, where hundreds of limestone peaks tower above the shimmering seas. A train ride north of Hanoi will bring you to the area of Sapa. A home to a wealth of minority peoples and a base for exploring the Tonkinese Alps.

Vietnam is one of the most enriching, enlivening and exotic countries on earth.

Did you know?

• John Denver was the first North American musical artist to perform a concert in Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War.
• Vietnam is the largest exporter of Cashews in the world, as well as the 2nd largest exporter of rice and coffee.
• The population of Vietnam is approximately 84 million, 67% of whom are aged 15 to 64.
• The currency of Vietnam is the "Dong".
• "Uncle Ho" (Ho Chi Minh) does NOT look like Colonel Saunders (KFC).
• Avoiding eye contact is considered respectful when talking to senior Vietnamese people.
• Ao Dai is the traditional dress for Vietnamese women and is worn during ceremonies and other important events. The Ao Dai consists of a body-tight tunic, with two side-slits from the waist to the ankles, worn over flowing white trousers. It's also the uniform for many Vietnamese schoolgirls.
• In the 1990s, English surpassed French and Russian as the second most popular language in Vietnam.
• Nuoc mam (fish sauce) is the one ingredient that is quintessentially Vietnamese and it lends a distinctive character to Vietnamese cooking. The sauce is made by fermenting highly salted fish in large ceramic vats for four to 12 months.
• Another Vietnamese speciality is ruou ran (snake wine). This is basically rice wine with a pickled snake floating in it. This elixir is considered a tonic and allegedly cures everything from night blindness to impotence.

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