MAIN Travel South & Southeast Asia Vietnam

Vietnam, struggling to get back on its feet following years of war, has in recent years flowered as a major Southeast Asia tourist destination.

By day, visitors walking along the streets of Ho Chi Minh City today can watch hundreds of shoppers fill chaotic, bustling markets - and, as the sun sets, watch the city come back to life - with the sound of young people enjoying a night out in clubs and discos in the city center.

Everywhere are reminders of Western influences, whether at the Hard Rock Cafe, or in the Romanesque architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral. And everywhere, everywhere are the scooters and motorbikes hoping to wend their way out of the latest traffic jam.

In Hanoi, the capital city, old and new is starkly contrasted in the remains of French colonial architecture mixing with the steel and glass of modern high rises.

However, it is away from the metropolitan areas where Vietnam's natural beauty can truly be appreciated. Nowhere is this more evident than in Dalat, a popular outdoor getaway excellent for hiking in the nearby mountains, or strolling around Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace.

Along the coast, Nha Trang offers crystal clear waters and long stretches of beach front perfect for diving and snorkeling. Also hugging the shore is Hu (or Hue) a seaside resort offering fine dining, famed dragon boat rides and historic sites of interest including the Citadel, a royal 19th century castle.

Finally, no visit to Vietnam would be complete with a stop on Halong, where travellers may tour around the 3,000 islands that dot the Gulf of Tonkin (either by high speed boat, paddle wheeler or more traditional junks) to explore numberless beaches and mysterious grottos.

Elsewhere on the Web, dig deeper into all that Vietnam has to offer the saavy world traveler with information on what else to see and do, where to stay, along with guides to top attractions in photo galleries and virtual tours ...

Vietnam Tourism - The official site with the focus on travel industry news, but use the menu to navigate to practical travel tips, including culture & customs, food and shopping, train schedules, boat transport, and related contact information.

Vietnam Travel Guide - Bugbog - Excellent, insider guide to the country with tips on what to see and what to avoid, how to get around, food and dining advice, plus a separate guide to top travel highlights, beaches and resorts.

Vietnam travel guide - Wikitravel - Encyclopedic knowledge of the country's culture, food, transportation system and top attractions with practical tips on travel etiquette, health & safety, communications & Internet access.

Hanoi - Vietnam Landscapes - A virtual tour with impressive color photos and a detailed narrative of the city's place in literature & history, as well as Hanoi's place in modern Vietnam.

VietnamNetBridge - English language news, business & entertainment portal with the latest on what's going on, what to see and do, plus feature travel stories, photo gallery.

Also see -> Cambodia | India | Indonesia | Malaysia

Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam

in Holidays -> Mid-Autumn Festival | Chinese New Year

in Wines of the World -> Wines of Southeast Asia