Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam generally has four geographical sections that range from one extreme to the other. In some areas you will find mountains with a rocky terrain and in complete contrast there are flatlands with marsh like places found elsewhere. In the north of the country you will find the highest point of Vietnam, this being Fan Si Pan. In the south you will find what some consider the backbone of Vietnam – the Truong Son (Highlands).
Two of the major naturally occurring rivers in Vietnam are the Red River and the Mekong River. There have been various mad made waterways built around these rivers to ease pressure and prevent the likelihood of flooding. Vietnam has managed to bring itself from a war torn picture to a tourist haven. Making the most of its natural beauty and colorful history – thousands of Westerners visit Vietnam every year. There are literally dozens of stunning places in Vietnam but below are some of the popular places most of which have historical sites which have amazing stories to tell.
Ho Chi Minh City – there are lots of sites to see in this large city. The Notre Dame Cathedral is located here and is a reminder to everyone of the historical French presence in Vietnam. From this city you can get a boat trip to Cambodia. There is also a community resort placed here called Maui Ne, it is noted for its sand dunes and beaches.
Hanoi – this is a city full of French architecture again reminding its visitors of the French historic presence. In this city you can also find the Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology and the One Pillar Pagoda (Goddess of Mercy) this was built in 1049. You will find Cue Phong National Park not far from Hanoi; this is the largest park in Vietnam. One building which does not fall into line with the French architecture in the city is the Temple of Literature; this is an example of Chinese and Vietnamese architecture.
Hai Phong – this city is best known for its natural beauty. The Cat Ba National Park is made up of three hundred and sixty tiny islands nestled between two bays. There is also the Do Son beach which is a well known natural beauty spot.Halong Bay – this is a UN World Heritage site uniquely there are two thousand limestone islands. Each island has its own cave/s which visitors are able to access. Each cave its own name, some examples are Trong Cave, Bo Nau Cave and Sung Sot Cave.
Hoi An – the old town in this area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hoi An was also a major port in the 15th-19th century. In Hoi An you will also find Quan Cong Temple which was built in 1653. For the best place to find local history in this area visit the Museum of Trade Ceramics.
It is worth remembering that March in Vietnam is generally smoggy, as it is in all Asian countries. This is not the best time of year to be visiting. If visiting the north of the country it is recommended you try to visit between November and April. During this time there are usually festivals happening and it is not so hot. In the south, between the months of October and May the weather is best and so this is the best time to visit. To enter the country of Vietnam you need a Vietnamese Visa and passports. Do make yourself aware of all the entry requirements before you travel there. Vietnam is considered bio-diverse, only twenty five countries in the world are considered worthy of being categorized like this. Even in fairly recent years new mammals and flowers have been discovered. Vietnam has allocated one hundred and twenty six acres of its land to conservation. Vietnam has had very many problems in its history and only united as one whole nation two decades ago. Since then it has done amazingly well to get where it is today. Vietnam is now a very popular tourist destination and its beaches are considered some of the best in the whole of Asia. The cuisine Vietnam has to offer has earned a fantastic reputation the world over and dining in Vietnam is a unique and unforgettable experience.