HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
Vietnam today is a very different country from what many remember from the war era. It is developing extremely quickly with its infrastructure and technology. It is very digitally connected. Many people relocate here for its inexpensive lifestyle and amazing cuisine (FYI ... Banh mi sandwiches are very popular and delicious).
I discovered a city with a mix of traditional culture and a modern way of life. Cosmopolitan, hectic and noisy, but at the same time, full of charm and wonder.
The 20th century was a tumultuous time for the country, particularly the Vietnam war which lasted for two decades, with US involvement from 1965 -1975.
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest city. During the Vietnam war it was called Saigon and was a part of South Vietnam. The Vietnamese government renamed the city in 1976 after Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces.
Preparing street food
Motorbikes are the main form of transportation
Vietnam has a booming coffee scene ... egg coffee, coconut coffee, etc. It is a coffee drinker's nirvana.
French colonial architecture, dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be seen throughout the city. Vietnam remained a French colony for several decades until the French were defeated in 1954.
Statue of Ho Chi Minh
Post Office
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM
A trip to Ho Chi Minh City's War Remnants museum is a sad reminder of one of the country's darkest periods, the Vietnam War.
The exhibit reflects the Vietnamese perspective and can be intense and difficult to view.
There are photographs and documents covering the war including the aftermath of Agent Orange and chemical warfare.
It is important to remember this time but also to keep in mind that there is hope for the future.
MEKONG RIVER DELTA
The Mekong River Delta was strategically important during the war because its maze of waterways and dense vegetation hindered military operations.
Today, a peaceful excursion on a narrow boat takes you through small canals with coconut palms overhead. Villages, markets, and farms have developed along the waterway. The region also produces a large share of the country's rice.
Me enjoying the ride
Tuk tuk transportaion to the river
Tran, our super knowledgeable and friendly tour manager
Phillipe enjoying the freshly caught fish
Tran again ... now in the rice field
HOI AN / DA NANG
Hoi An is one of Vietnam's more charming towns and a UNESCO site, filled with narrow streets, colorful lanterns and temples. It is a shoppers' paradise. At night, the old town becomes magical, with hundreds of lanterns reflected in the river.
It is also known for its town's tailors who can turnaround a new outfit from scratch in 1 day.
Da Nang is located on a beautiful coastline and is a modern city with many restaurants and accommodations. The big attraction is My Khe Beach, which is a long sandy beach alongside the city. The Golden bridge is a pedestrian bridge and also nearby.
HUE - THE IMPERIAL CITY
The former imperial capital of Vietnam was Hue. It is one of the country's most important cities historically.
Da Nang is located on a beautiful coastline and is a modern city with many restaurants and accommodations. The big attraction is My Khe Beach, which is a long sandy beach alongside the city. The Golden bridge is a pedestrian bridge and also nearby.
HUE - THE IMPERIAL CITY
The former imperial capital of Vietnam was Hue. It is one of the country's most important cities historically.
The founder of the Nguyen Dynasty built its centerpiece, the Citadel there in the early 1800s. The Nguyen emperors ruled Vietnam until 1945. Inside the fortified complex, lived the emperor, his family, and the royal court.
Tran, our Tour Manager, pointed out that before the war, his family was relatively wealthy and had high societal status but was forced to relinquish all of their property. He shared his experiences growing up in Vietnam and how in time, the family bounced back, earning a livelihood. Those were very rough years.
His family's name was etched in a Citadel plaques in Hue.
The structures' decorative detail are extraordinarily stunning and worth soaking up for an afternoon. If you love antiquities, you must stay in Hue.
Boats along the Perfume river
Group photo
HALONG BAY
Halong Bay, a UNESCO site, is an amazingly beautiful area in northern Vietnam which stands out for its thousands of limestone islands and cliffs formed hundreds of millions of years ago.
Halong means "descending dragon" and ties to a legend that dragons helped defend Vietnam.
There are many daytime cruises for sightseeing and overnight luxury cruises.
The boats stop at caves, beaches, and even floating villages.
If you can, don't miss an opportunity to see this unique scenery.
If you can, don't miss an opportunity to see this unique scenery.
HANOI
Hanoi is Vietnam's capital. Much of the city's history is tied to French colonialism. You can definitely see the French influence in its architecture and cuisine.
The old quarter is the heart of the city with narrow streets, shops, markets and constant stream of motorbikes. The city is constantly busy, energetic and atmospheric. You get a sense that the pace of life is changing among the younger Vietnamese who are connected to global culture.
Hoan Kiem lake is a center point of Hanoi.
Locals practice tai chi around the lake.
Today, Vietnam is a country of contrasts - ancient temples, modern cities with bustling streets and constant flow of motorbikes, peaceful countrysides, and beautiful landscapes. Every destination offered something completely different.
The warmth of the people, incredible food, and remarkable resilience stayed with me. It is a country with so much history looking towards the future.
I look forward to someday seeing more of this part of the world again.
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