From the jagged mountains and verdant rice paddies in the far north to the lush south and the mighty Mekong River, Vietnam is hauntingly beautiful. There is majestic scenery in abundance here, whether it is the towering limestone islands of Halong Bay, the jungle-clad peaks of the remote northwest or the sweeping deserted beaches along the central coast.
Mention the name Vietnam, and most people assume you mean the war, thirty years since the end of the war, it is a country at peace, with spectacular geography, a vibrant culture, and genuinely friendly people. it is in reality a country filled with captivating natural beauty and tranquil village life. Its highlands and rainforest regions, far from being devastated, continue to yield new species and team with exotic wildlife. Its islands and beaches are among the finest in all of Southeast Asia, and its cuisine is very possibly the most delicious you will ever find.
Verdant patchworks of rice paddies, pointed lampshade-style hats, a country ravaged by war, and economic repression - these are the international images of Vietnam, seen on worldwide television and read about in the newspapers. But there are other scenes to be found, ones of natural beauty, ethnic culture, and imperial history, of timeless traditional villages, idyllic sea resorts and dynamic cities. The impact of Japanese and Chinese trade, French occupation and American intervention has left its stain on Vietnam, smeared over a period of more than two thousand years of recorded history.
However, the country has also been left with a vivid legacy from different cultures evident in the character of its towns, as well as in the architecture and food. The quaint town of Hoi An, once a major trading port, boasts the perfectly preserved architectural influences of the Asian merchants from the north, while the broad leafy boulevards of the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are reminiscent of France. Menus offer Chinese variations of spring rolls, steamed dumplings and noodles. Hue is the old imperial capital of Vietnam with its royal palaces and palatial mausoleums, and nearby the battle sites of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) are reminders of the brutality of war.
