Situated on the Indochina Peninsula, Vietnam pleases all tourists with a diversity of topography, climate and thousands of years of history.
Striking mountain ranges, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, arid plateaus and dense forests are a magnet for hikers, cyclists and nature lovers. With thousands of kilometers of fine sand beaches, rocky cliffs, coral reefs and uninhabited islands, water lovers have plenty to see and explore. Add the unique pinnacles of Ha Long Bay, the astonishing Mekong Delta, the classic terraces of the Northern Mountains and the ubiquitous vivid green of the rice fields, and even the most jaded visitors will recover the excitement of traveling.
Throughout the land, thousands of temples, pagodas, shrines and churches attract millions of worshippers. Wherever visitors travel in Vietnam, relics of the past would never be far away. Hanoi’s architecture, Hue’s splendid Imperial Citadel, Hoi An’s charming wooden buildings and Ho Chi Minh City’s ‘Chinatown’ are obvious examples, but there are many more. In Da Nang, a unique sculpture museum pays homage to the traditions of the Cham people. In the Central Highlands, the ancient rituals of the Gong players lives on, now recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural treasure.
Attractive museums document important periods of the past while symphony orchestras, opera performances, conservatories and national dance theatres rub shoulders with centuries-old performing arts such as North Vietnam’s world famous water puppets. The many ethnic minority communities in the Northern Mountains and Central Highlands provide yet more insights into Vietnam’s colorful and exotic society.
The Vietnamese gastronomy offers an endless variety of tasty cuisines, ranging from regular food to fine cuisines that can please the taste of the most demanding epicurean. In addition, there are thousands of restaurants offering food from the four corners of the world.
Among the multitude of attractions in Vietnam the most fascinating is its people. Vietnamese are very peace-loving, kind, considerate, sociable and hospitable, and well known for their sense of humour.
Vietnam is a safe and fascinating country for travellers who appreciate culture, nature, adventure and relaxation. No wonder Vietnam’s slogan is ‘The Hidden Charm’.
