A country of contrasts, Vietnam offers a rich and varied cultural history, combined with the charm of a country which is still in the early stages of development. Vietnam, a name too long associated with the horrors of war, has finally won its last battle - to capture the imagination and attention of tourists from around the world.
From the dozens of islands in the south to the haunting beauty of Ha Long Bay, from the fertile land of the Mekong Delta to the rugged mountain ranges of the centre and north, Vietnam has at last opened its welcoming arms and smiling faces to the world.
Elegant Hanoi now vies with its dynamic sister, Ho Chi Minh City, for the attention of visitors drawn by the eclectic mix of old and new.
Out of town the scenes are timeless. Early morning on the Mekong Delta brings the daily floating markets where fruit and vegetables are sold. Everywhere the green patchwork of rice paddies stretches into the distance, broken only by the silhouette of water buffalo and conical-hatted workers bending down to tend the young plants.
As the number of tourists finding their way here soars, the word is out that this is a land not of bomb craters and army ordnance, but of shimmering paddy-fields and white sand beaches, vibrant cities and venerable pagodas. The speed with which Vietnam's population has been able to transcend the recent past comes as a surprise to visitors who are generally met with warmth and curiosity rather than shell-shocked resentment and war fatigue. Despite Vietnam's ongoing economic liberalization and the pressures of rapid development, this dignified country has managed to preserve its rich civilization and cultured society.
Vietnam is the S-shaped country taking up the easternmost part of Indochina with a long coastline of 3,300 km and a land area of 331,689 square kilometres. It is a rugged country of mountains, coastal plains, and river deltas. Cambodia and Laos lie to the west, China to the north and the South China Sea to the east.
Vietnam is not a war, but a country. This patriotic nation's history of fierce resistance goes back a lot further than its battle with the United States. Before ousting the Americans, the Vietnamese repelled French colonial forces and before that, overthrew their Chinese rulers, not to mention seeing off the terrifying Mongol hordes.
Vietnam's greatest resource is its friendly, welcoming people. Long closed to the outside world, Vietnam retains a charming innocence that most tourist regions lack. Yet in the decade since the country opened its doors to visitors, the country has built world-class hotels and tourism facilities with international standards and traditional Vietnamese hospitality. Vietnam is ready to take you on an unforgettable adventure.
