Travel To Vietnam - Vietnam Cities and Attractions

For many people still, the mention of Vietnamlies on the north side of the river which bisects
brings back the traumatic events of the 1960sHue, but was badly damaged during the Vietnam
and 70s, but the country has moved on while notWar and little remains, although efforts are now
forgetting. The two major cities of Vietnam arebeing made to restore the palace.
well known because of the war, but there areBut the city has many other historical monuments
others which are now beginning to come out– enough to merit United Nations World
from under the shadow of the past.Heritage status. Thien Mu Pagoda is the symbol of
Hanoi, the capital of ancient and present daythe city and there are several reminders of
Vietnam has a history of over 1,000 years andVietnam's imperial past, including the tombs of
much of the relatively recent past is wellmany emperors. Here too the French built their
preserved. The city is said to have over 600imposing buildings such as the famed Quoc Hoc
temples and pagodas and, as it was also theHigh School.
capital of French Indochina, it has a large numberDa Nang is the largest city in central Vietnam and
of French style villas and other examples ofwas used as an air base by American troops
French imperial architecture such as the Grandduring the war. It also boasts the beautiful Non
Opera House and the Presidential Palace (formerlyNuoc Beach, a white sandy beach which was a
the Palace of The Governor-General of Frenchfavourite R&R spot for US troops. Today,
Indochina).the beach is home to expensive resorts, surfing
Hanoi's Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem lake, stilland entertainment facilities.
retains the original street layout and architectureCan Tho, in the far south, could be said to be the
of old Hanoi. The area is best explored on footcapital of the Mekong Delta area. This area is the
and features many small artisan shops and small'rice basket' of Vietnam and Can Tho is famous
restaurants offering local cuisine.for its floating markets and the wide selection of
At the opposite end of the country lies Vietnam'sfruit available.
largest city, known as Ho Chi Minh City sinceBut perhaps, Vietnam's greatest attractions are
1975, but still known to many as Saigon. The citynot in its cities, but in the countryside and along
is noted for its wide boulevards and its Frenchthe country's long coastline. In the far north-west
colonial architecture such as Notre-Dameone can find the once mysterious hill tribes and
Cathedral and hotels such as the Hotel Majestic.ethnic minorities who still largely live as they have
But Ho Chi Minh City is a rapidly changing city. Asdone for thousands of years. Despite their fierce
Vietnams' financial centre, it is in the process ofresistance to the French colonists, they are a
building the infrastructure of a dynamichospitable people who welcome visitors.
international city. This means that much of theOn the coast there are hundreds of pristine
traditional culture of the city has become ratherbeaches, some highly developed offering every
hidden, but one of the joys of the city is in findingluxury and some remote and secluded. Then, in
unexpected gems among the new high risethe north, there is the stunning Ha Long Bay area
blocks.with its thousands of karst peaks rising from the
In Central Vietnam lies the less well-known city ofsea, its spectacular caves and its magical islands.
Hue. From 1802 to 1945, Hue was the ImperialAre you planning to visit Vietnam? Please contact
capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty.Indochina Odyssey Tours ,  maybe they can
The emperors lived in The Citadel, Vietnam'sgive you some help.
equivalent of China's Forbidden City. The Citadel