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| Most travelers to Vietnam are attracted by the country's natural beauty; from the green rice fields in the north to the fascinating Mekong Delta in the south. |
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Vietnam has a population of about 86 million. The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. Central Vietnam has high plateaus, wonderful beaches and lagoons, a major attraction for many tourists, and the ancient city of Hue. The south is divided into coastal lowlands, the Mekong Delta, Annamite Chain Peaks, extensive tropical forests and poor soil.
Hanoi in the north is the capital of Vietnam and with a population of around 6.3 million the country's second largest city. It has a fascinating blend of East and West, with Chinese influence from centuries of dominance, and French design from its colonial past.
Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon) in the south has a population of around 7.2 million and is Vietnam's largest city and the economic centre of the south. |
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One of the major historical tourist attractions in Vietnam is Hue, it lies in the central area of the country on Huong River (Perfume River). Hue is the former capital of the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) and has various artifacts and structures standing to tell the tales of its time. Another well visited place by tourists is Nha Trang that lies in a beautiful bay on the south central coast of Vietnam. Nha Trang is known as one of the best places in Vietnam for snorkeling and diving. The coastal area of the Mekong Delta is also exciting with the chalk islands in the Halong Bay in the South China Sea; it is undoubtedly among the most popular tourist destinations of Vietnam.
Extending over an area of nearly 60,000 km, the Mekong Delta is a maze of the Mekong tributaries. It is one of the most fertile areas of Vietnam, and has a population of nearly 17 million , consisting mostly of farmers and fishermen. There are huge patches of green paddy fields everywhere with cattle and farmers busy tilling and farming their land. The floating markets in the Mekong Delta is one of the most distinctive features of this place, the market has eateries, gas stations and lots of goods where local dealers buy things to sell again in the markets or to other cities. Among the various markets spread all over the place, Phung Hiep, located in a significant junction of seven main canals is by far the largest. There are many boat tours you can take on the Mekong River, from hydrofoil to more relaxing cruise boats.
Vietnam has international airports at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, which connects to many cities in the world and South East Asia. Most visitors still need to apply for a Vietnamese visa in advance to enter the country. A fairly convenient visa on arrival process has recently been introduced, but this requires a pre-arranged application to Hanoi Immigration Department and is generally helpful to nationals of countries without Vietnamese embassies. Check on visa requirements when planning your trip to Vietnam at your local Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
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