VIETNAM GENERAL INFORMATION

Unique in Southeast Asia, differ from Laos and Cambodia, Vietnam is a fascinating meld of Confucian values, western capitalism and the somnolent pace of life that is so characteristic of the far east.

While the legacy of both the war and Vietnam's seductive French colonial era remain well evident, both are being pushed well into the background as the very young, vivacious and enterprising Vietnamese population concentrate fully on the future.

For the independent traveler and tourist, Vietnam offers enough experiences and attractions to fill a lifetime. From sitting on a barge in the Mekong Delta eating freshly caught crispy fish, to the breathtaking vistas of Haling Bay or the charming yet cheeky novice that takes you around his village pagoda, traveling in Vietnam is an experience you'll never forget.

Sitting in a Saigon streetside cafe you can enjoy steaming noodles, while just down the road, cyclo drivers -- relics of yesteryear -- badger and bark at each other over a game of checkers, only to look up, catch your eye, and break out into that amazing Vietnamese smile.

Open to foreign tourists for well over a decade, Vietnam has rapidly developed a well-trodden trail of tourist attractions. In the north, hanoi charms, while the vistas of Ha Long Bay and the hilltribes of Sapa draw tourists in their thousands. In the centre of Vietnam the remnants of the war can still be seen around the DMZ, the Imperial capital of Hue offers a glimpse into yesteryear and the incredibly popular Hoi An attracts shoppers in their droves. South again to the beach strips of Nha Trang and Mui Ne offering the opportunity of a bit of sun and sand, before reaching the country's southern capital Saigon. Below Saigon the Mekong Delta offers much to the independent and intrepid traveller -- be sure to palm of the organized tours and do it yourself -- you won't regret it.

See more: Vietnam Travel Guide