Unfortunately for Vietnam, much of the Western world remembers it for a very bloody and upsetting conflict that raged for 20 years until its conclusion in 1975.
The war was made famous by the involvement of the USA who were ultimately forced to withdraw in what is regarded as one of the most embarrassing parts of their military history.
The conflict put Vietnam off-limits for many Westerners for a number of years afterwards, but now the country has recovered and the tourism industry is thriving.
A visit from Top Gear in 2008 presented the country in a new light and raised awareness of a region that had often slipped under the radar.
In truth, Vietnam is a beautiful country with plenty to see and do which is why we’ve picked out a few of the hotspots that should definitely be visited if ever in the country.
Nha Trang
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A hugely popular seaside resort, Nha Trang is the scuba diving centre of the country. Its golden beaches and beautifully clear waters need to be seen to be believed!
Mekong Delta
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A huge area of agricultural development, much of the Mekong Delta is covered with rice fields and navigated via boat. Located in the southern part of the country, the region is responsible for a third of the country’s agricultural output, despite being just 10% of the country’s total landmass. Tours can be found in abundance if you ever fancy visiting.
Hoi An
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A fishing port for around 500 years, the heart of the city features many narrow winding lanes and Chinese-style shops. A visit to the ‘Venice of Vietnam’ – so-called due to its abundance of canals provides a chance to see an array of different architecture and styles. From French colonial buildings to Vietnamese tube houses and Chinese shop houses, there is a mix of cultures that makes Hoi An popular with tourists from all over the globe.
Ha Long Bay
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Ha Long Bay features thousands of islands, all covered with thick vegetation which create a wonderful landscape of limestone pillars. The region features at the end of the Top Gear special mentioned above and is home to many fisherman who have never set foot on the mainland, instead living entirely on floating villages. For lovers of geography (and everyone else) Ha Long Bay is an absolute must-see.
Cu Chi Tunnels
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A vast network of war tunnels were in use by the Viet Cong guerrillas at the height of the Vietnam War and many formed the launch points of the famous Tet Offensive in 1968. Visitors can crawl around the safer parts of the tunnels to experience just what life was like during the conflict.
Phu Quoc
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Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc near the Cambodian coast features a wealth of undamaged coral reefs, fantastic golden beaches and untouched tropical forests. More than half of the island is a national park and it’s very popular for biking and hiking; there’s plenty of wildlife to see too.
Hoan Kiem Lake
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Found in the centre of Hanoi, the leisure spot of Hoan Kiem translates as ‘returned sword’, with the name coming from ancient legend. It is said King Le Loi was handed a magical sword by the Gods with which he fended off an invasion by the Chinese. After these exploits the sword was returned to the Golden Turtle God that inhabited the lake.
Mui Ne
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An area of rapid development of late, Mui Ne is especially popular with kite and wind-surfers due to the exceptional sea breezes that tend to blow across the shallow waters. A slight trip inland of the small fishing village are a wide expanse of sand dunes which are renowned for being a photographer’s dream, especially when the sun is setting.
Thien Mu Pagoda
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The tallest pagoda in Vietnam, Thien Mu is regarded as a symbol of the old imperial capital. Built in 1601, much of the pagoda has been developed in the time since to feature an expanse of highly intricate architectural features.
Sa Pa Terraces
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The rice terraced landscape near Sa Pa draws comparisons with many found in the wine producing regions of Europe. Set among bamboo woodlands, the tranquil settings offer something a little bit different to enhance the tourist experience.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi
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The ancient historical site, and UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the capital of Vietnam for eight centuries. A symbol of military architecture and of previous powers, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long covers a number of dynasty’s and still bears the scars of numerous conflicts from the past.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
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One of Hanoi’s most visited attractions, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh offers a unique insight into the country’s history. Ho Chi Minh was the most iconic of the leaders of Vietnam and the site is still guarded on a daily basis. Visitors must adhere to strict rules when inside but it is certainly worth a seeing.
My Son Hindu Sanctuary
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Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the My Son Hindu Sanctuary offers an example of the ancient Champa civilisation that once lived in the south of Vietnam. The region existed as an independent state until the 17th century when Vietnam occupied it.
War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh
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Given the impact that the Vietnam War had on the country, it is unsurprising that there is a museum dedicated to it. The War Remnants Museum was once known as the Museum of American War Crimes and provides a graphic insight to the conflict. A number of vehicles and weaponry that were used against the Vietnamese are on display, alongside powerful imagery that shows the brutal nature of war.
Pongour Falls
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The last location on our list is Pongour Falls, the largest waterfall in Vietnam. The echo of the water can be heard from a long way away and the 20 metre high falls can reach 100 metres wide at the height of rainy season. Buddhist Monks also visit the site where waters drop over seven or eight layers before reaching a splash pool at the bottom.
So there you have it, some of the must-see parts of Vietnam. There’s plenty more off the beaten track to be seen as well…
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