Vietnam is one of our favourite destinations, with a great
combination of incredible scenery and
a varied history with vibrant cities,
great food and exceptionally friendly people - laze on the beach,
explore the
cities, head to the hills or combine all of it!
Escape Worldwide's Mark visited most parts of the Country on a whirlwind visit recently,
and brings you his take on this incredible destination . . .
Vietnam is a country of contrasts, none more apparent than
that of its two main cities, the elegant
and charming capital Hanoi; and the vibrant southern powerhouse Saigon. Vietnam’s geography makes it easy to start your journey in one and finish in the other, and to my mind both are well worth a few days |
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
Meet Uncle Ho!
|
|||||
|
Hanoi's French influence is apparent in its
buildings and avenues, while the Old Quarter dates back 1,000 years
and is a fascinating place to wander - I got completely lost when I was here!
Pretty Hoan Kiem Lake is a good place from which to get your
bearings, with the photogenic Rising Sun Bridge crossing the water. Close by, Ho
Chi Minh’s mausoleum is most popular with Vietnamese visitors who come
to see Uncle Ho’s final resting place, while his nearby former home gives you
an insight into the life of the Country’s most famous leader of recent times.
|
|
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
A City of Contrasts
|
|||||
|
Saigon – or Ho Chi Minh City – is the contrast to
Hanoi, where the climate is steamier and pace of life is far more frenetic -
personally I prefer Saigon to Hanoi but visiting both is really worthwhile.
Modern Saigon congregates at the designer boutiques close to theOpera House,
while the more traditional side heads to Ben Thanh market for groceries,
clothes and plenty more – it’s a great spot to pick up a souvenir too. The Reunification
Palace is one of Saigon’s most striking buildings, and is now a museum
preserved pretty much as it was when the Americans left in 1975; while
buildings such as the post office, the Hotel De Ville and Notre Dame
Cathedral show the French influence In the city. If time allows, take a trip
out of the city to see the Cu Chi tunnels, a mind-boggling series of 250
km or more tunnels that criss-crossed the region at the height of the Vietnam
war (although the tunnels are so small I struggled to get through!)
|
|
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
History & Countryside of Central Vietnam
|
|||||
|
Central Vietnam is home to some of the country’s most
beautiful scenery and interesting towns, with the gems of Hue and Hoi An
being linked by the beautiful Hai Van Pass. The former capital of Hue is home to numerous tombs of emperors, several
beautiful pagodas and the remains of the Citadel, which is an impressive
complex of buildings on the banks of the Perfume River. Hoi An is perhaps the more interesting of the two
and a real highlight of a trip to Vietnam, with its restored wooden buildings
and long history of seafarers and traders giving it a charm that’s hard to
resist - I love it! A half day walking tour of the World Heritage listed
Old Town will take in the key sites including the famed Japanese Covered
Bridge and the Fujian Chinese Assembly Hall.
|
|
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
Beaches, beaches, beaches!
|
|||||
|
With over 1000 miles of stunning coastline, Vietnam is
home to some beautiful beaches, from the diving paradise and nightlife
of Nha Trang and the restaurants and bars of Mui Ne (where I found the best bargains for meals
and beer), to more peaceful spots such as Ninh Van Bay or relaxed Quy Nhon,
famed for its seafood. Both Hoi An and Hue have beaches close by so are great options for a
holiday that combines sightseeing with beach time. The trickiest thing about
visiting Vietnam, with so much to see and do, is working out where to visit –
and where to line up for next time!
|
|
||||
The
fascinating War Remnants Museum in Saigon, quite possibly the most moving
museum you’re likely to visit, and one that really brings home the effects of
war.
 |
| War Remnants Museum in Saigon, a must see! |
Crossing the road in Saigon is an art form as thousands of motorbikes bear down on you, so avoid getting in to difficulties by keeping a constant pace and your wits about you!
 |
| Crossing the roads in Saigon is a fine art! |
DON'T MISS
Bia
hoi, or ‘fresh beer’, Vietnam’s unique draft beer that’s brewed daily and drunk
immediately – and from 10p a glass it’s enjoyed the country over. Tram
phan tram, as the Vietnamese say!
 |
| Amazingly Cheap Beer |
Vietnam is a simply amazing destination and a must see. I really loved the place and would really recommend it.
Mark
http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk
Comments
Post a Comment