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Vietnam has a wide range of unforgetable and unique vacation options.
Considered by many travelers to be the friendliest vacation destination in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is an inviting land with a fascinating history, diverse scenic beauty, and a rich cultural heritage.
Vietnam bygone eras are carefully preserved in spectacular World Heritage Sites, French architecture stands in testimony to the nation's colonial past, and smiles and friendly people everywhere extend a genuine welcome.
In the cities of Vietnam, the historic and mythical past mingle with present the is vibrant with the activities of life.
In the Vietnam mountains you can expect a very tranquil experience that has remained unchanged for centuries.
History weighs heavily on Vietnam, but as the number of visitors finding their way here grows, the word is out that this is a land not of bomb craters and army ordnance, but of shimmering paddy fields and sugar-white beaches, vibrant cities and venerable pagodas.
 Begin your tour in Ho Chi Mihn City, formerly known as Saigon, once known as the "Paris of Southeast Asia", this city served as the Capital city of South Vietnam and has it's own splendid culture and rhythm. Let our Virtuoso specialists lead you on a culinary tour of the splendid restaurants of this historic bustling city - or explore the ornate Buddist temples, Ho Chi Mihn Square, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace), and the War Remnants Museum.
Then move to Hanoi, Vietnam's thousand-year old capital, best known for three things, its bustling Old Quarter, its serene lakes and its vibrant art scene. The city's artistic roots go back to feudal times, when craftsmen serviced the royal court. Attisans founded Hanoi's thirty-six guild streets, with each street devoted to making and selling a different product! To this day Hang Bac (silver) Street is lined with silversmiths, Hang Chieu (Mat) street still sells the woven rush mats that are traditional wedding gifts and Hang Ma (Votive paper) Street is festooned with brightly colored paper items that are burned as offerings on the first and fiteenth days of the lunar month. These traditional crafts inspired later generations of artists with the arrival of the French-founded Ecole des Beaux Arts in the 1930s. This fusion of East and Western Art still fourishes today.
 According to legend Ha Long Bay was formed when a massive drago slithered down from Vietnam's mountains and crashed into the sea. As the dragon descended beneath the waves its tails gouged up huge chunks or rock, creating the thousands of strangely shaped limestone islets that pepper this vast archipelago.
In the distance, a cluster of islands, look the sailing ships braced against the wind. The island straight ahead evokes a fairytale castle! Let our Virtuoso consultants take you on a breathtaking kayak trip through a narrow passage between two cliffs so you can observe the local wildlife in its natural habitat, before you senter a cave; your torch revealing a narrow, barnace-encrusted tunnel. Moments later you're left blinking in wonder, you've entered a lagooin in the center of an island, the glassy water encircled by high walls carpeted in green!
Many other adventure tours are available. One can bike the Mekong Delta, through the rustic rice paddies and small villages making their way to Sam Mountain, a sacred site near the Cambodian border. Or you could bike through the southern coast highlands, past the settlements of the Hmong hill people through Da Lat's colorful market! Climb Fansipan, at 10,000 feet it is the highest peak in Southeast Asia, its rocky summit offering unforgettable view of jagged jungles and lush valleys. When the mist lifts, you may even see distant peaks in China and Laos.
You won't want to miss Hue, the capital of Vietnam from 1829 to 1883. The splendor of Emeror Tu Duc's mausoleum and palaces are not to be missed!
Our Virtuoso consultants can also plan a tour for those interested in recent military history. Let us take you to Da Nang, Pleiku, Hue, Dien Bien Phu, Khe San and let you explore the former military bases and battle sights to see tragedy of war and the triumph of peace.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a sovereign and reunified independent country, has a high percentage of territorial waters. Looking at the map, Vietnam is located in the center of the Southeast Asia, and is shaped like the letter "S". The country lies in the eastern part of the Indochina peninsula, bordered by China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, and the East Sea and Pacific Ocean to the southeast. Vietnam's coast line is 3,260 km long and its inland border measures 3,730 km.
Vietnam's total length, from the northernmost point to the southernmost point, is 1,650 km.
Its width, stretching from east to west, is 600 km at the widest point in the north, 400 km in the south, and 50 km at the narrowest part in the Quang Binh province on the central coast. Vietnam is also a transport junction from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Vietnam is located in both a tropical and a temperate zone. It is characterized by strong monsoon influences, but has a considerable amount of sun, a high rate of rainfall, and high humidity. Regions located near the tropics and in the mountainous regions are endowed with a temperate climate. The annual average temperature ranges from 22ºC to 27ºC. In Hanoi, the average temperature is 23ºC, in Ho Chi Minh City it is 26ºC, and in Hue it is 25ºC.
There are two distinguishable seasons in Vietnam. The cold season occurs from November to April and the hot season from May to October. The difference in temperature between the two seasons in southern Vietnam is almost unnoticeable, averaging 3ºC. The most noticeable variations are found in the northern provinces where differences of 12ºC have been observed. There are essentially four distinct seasons, which are most evident in the northern provinces.
Vietnam is a poor agrarian country controlled by a communist government. Tourist facilities are not well established, but are improving.
The Vietnam Vacations, Vietnam Cruises and Vietnam Luxury Travel Packages Guide |
