Travel the Mekong countries - Vietnam

VIETNAM

From 1802 to 1945, when it was the capital of the Nguyen emperors, Hue was the most beautiful, most cultured city in the entire country.

Larger and more densely populated than its Mekong neighbours, Vietnam is also culturally distinct. Whereas ancient Lao PDR and Cambodia were infl uenced by India, Vietnam’s cultural roots are Chinese. Hence, the art, the architecture, the religious mix and the social fabric in general are quite different.

Ho Chi Minh

Geographically, Vietnam occupies the eastern portion of the Indochina peninsula, facing the South China Sea, and the land is defi ned by two river deltas, that of the Red River in the north and the Mekong in the south, separated by a long narrow strip bordering the sea and back by the Central Highlands. Both of the river deltas are extremely fertile and are the countryûs largest rice-producing areas.

The history of Vietnam is largely defi ned by a 1,000-year expansion of the Vietnamese from north to south, gradually achieving dominance over the Chams in the centre of the country and the Khmer in the Mekong delta area. A dynasty of emperors, with their capital at Hue, unifi ed the country in 1802 until the French exerted colonial control in the middle of the 19th century. Only after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 was the country again united as a single independent nation.

Founded in 1010 AD, Hanoi is the historic heart of the nation, long providing the cultural nexus that has shaped the national character. The city is built around several lakes that, together with characteristic small parks, tree-lined boulevards and French colonial architecture, make for an attractive destination.

A number of venerable temples top the sightseeing list, along with Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum

One of Vietnam’s most scenic areas, Ha Long Bay, some 160 km. east of Hanoi, comprises an archipelago of some 3,000 islands, oddly-shaped karst outcrops that produce a stunning and unforgettable seascape. Many of the islands are honeycombed with beautiful grottoes, the fi nest being the huge Dau Go Cave which, with its superb stalactites and stalagmites, was appropriately named by the French Grotte des Merveilles, “Grotto of Wonders”.

From 1802 to 1945, when it was the capital of the Nguyen emperors, Hue was the most beautiful, most cultured city in the entire country. In spite of suffering severe damage during the Vietnam War, Hue still holds considerable sightseeing possibilities, including the remains of the Forbidden City, as the former palace complex of the emperors was known, as well as a number of impressive imperial tombs that are extensive memorials combining monumental architecture with attractive landscaping. The city, located in central Vietnam, also inspires accolades for its beautiful setting on the banks of the Perfume River.

A large and lively port city lying just over 100 km. south of Hue, Danang is noted for its Cham Museum, which houses the worldûs fi nest collection of Cham stone carvings dating from the 7th to the 15th century. On the outskirts of town is Marble Mountain, actually fi ve limestone peaks, where a series of grottoes were transformed into holy shrines a long time ago.

The mountain also provides panoramic views of the famous China Beach.

One of Vietnamûs most historic towns, Hoi An, 30 km. south of Danang, was a noted seaport as far back as the 2nd century. Its era of greatest prosperity, however, was between the 15th and 19th centuries when European, American and Asian ships called at the port to purchase high-grade silk and other exotic cargoes.

Hoi An was eclipsed by Danang as a port and centre of commerce early in the present century. But the clocks had stopped before that and, with temples, merchants’ houses and many other venerable structures miraculously preserved, parts of the town appear today much as they must have been a century or more ago.

A livelier and more modern metropolis than Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s largest city and commercial centre. Sights are mostly limited to a number of pagodas and the Historical Museum, while fascinating day excursions can be made to Cu Chi, a vast network of underground tunnels constructed by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, and to Tay Ninh, famous for its fabulously designed cathedral of the Cao Dai faith.

Immediately south of Ho Chi Minh City is the Mekong delta, vast fl atlands criss-crossed by the Mekongûs nine branches and a maze of canals. Riverine towns, villages, fl oating markets and paddy fi elds all offer views of traditional lifestyles in a setting of exceptional geographical interest.