What is there to see or do in Veitnam?

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Here's what I wrote in reply to anothere question:

"..... I've traveled through North and Central America, Europe and Asia and never have I come across a country so beautiful and interesting and a people so friendly, open, engaging and so optimistic as Vietnam and the Vietnamese. The accomodations are mostly new or recently renovated, modern, clean, very attractive and reasonably priced and the food is the best this side of heaven: fresh, flovorful and low in fat.

.... It will be my second visit in recent years. We will be there for three weeks later this year and plan to visit:

1. Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon): The largest city and the most dynamic economic area of Vietnam. On our agenda: The Reunification Hall (the Old Independence Palace) where the last American-backed regime surrendered to liberation forces on April 30, 1975. Ben Thanh Market: Easily the largest market place in the world. Cholon: Vietnam's Chinatown. Museum of War Remnants: displays of war crimes committed by the American side.

2. Cu Chi Tunnels: The tunnel system that sheltered ressitance fighters during the war against the Americans. Not far from Saigon.

3. Mui Ne Resort: A seaside resort area full of beautiful and luxurious hotels/bungalos. Near the city of Phan Thiet and just 160 miles North of Saigon.

4. Vinpearl Resort: Another 150 miles up the coast from Mui Ne. Near the City of Nha Trang. The diving capital of Vietnam. Even better than in Thailand.

5. Hoian: An old mideaval harbor town once thriving with traders from other countries and hosted several international settlements. There are now several famous tailor shops in the area: you can have suits, shirts and dresses made exactly to your measurements and in any style of your choice for a fraction of what you pay for an off the rack item in the US. They'll even ship the items home for you or you can pick them up at the shop within a couple of days. Hoian has been designated a Unesco Heritage Site. North of Nha Trang but South of Hue.

6. Hue: The old Imperial City locating about half way between Hanoi and Saigon, also not far from the coast. We'll visit the old Imperial Palace and the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors nearby.

7. Halong Bay: The beautiful bay in Northern Vietnam, full of natural wonders. Also a Unesco world heritage site.

8. Sapa: the hill town with a great local market where you can buy local craft products from colorfully-garbed inhabitants who are members of Vietnam's mountain minorities. We have also arranged for a visit to a minority village.

9. Dienbienphu: In the Northwest of Northern Vietnam about 200 miles from Hanoi. Now a modern town but it was a frontier village in 1954 and site of the greatest battle wage by the Vietnamese against the French occupiers. The French were thouroughly whipped and sued for peace in Geneva. They left Northern Vietnam by May of 1955 and Southern Vietnam a year later.

10. Hanoi: The ancient capital of Vietnam, much older than Hue. A beautiful city on the Red River and with several beautiful lakes. We'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Musoleum (where Vietnam first president's enbalmed remains can be seen), the Museum of Military History, the original/mideaval "36 streets" where even more traditional craft and modern products can be purchased at great prices (the women in our group will go beserk over this shopping opportunity). Also the Temple of Literature: the 900-year-old university, the first Vietnamese institution of higher learning.

We are looking forward to meeting the friendly, hospitable and beautiful Vietnamese people again and have the opportunity to sample the best food this side of heaven: fresh, flavorful and low in fat. The cost there for everything is so reasonable for what you get people are going to Vietnam for their vacaction more and more every day. $35/night for a nice hotel room, $1 to $3 for a great meal, $1 for a long taxi drive...The facilities are so clean and well maintained, often very new ...great values for your money. "

Aschwin

Really depends on where you go as well of course.

Halong Bay in the north with all the little rock formations in the water.
Hue with all its history.
Saigon/ Ho Chi Minh City: Benh Than market, China town, Cu Chi tunnels (outside the city), Nha Trang with one of the best beaches in Vietnam, Dalat in the mountains, many ruins of temples left by the Cham people (all over the country), the Delta area, take a trip to Cambodia, visit the water puppet plays, have a massage, there is so much to do.

Best check with a local travel agency when you get there.

Have fun!

tommybear45

look for POWs!!!

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