Vietnam

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country with China, Laos and Cambodia as immediate neighbours. It is officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Vietnam is a beautiful country steeped in history and ancient traditions with various natural attractions. From the green rice field in the north to the fascinating bustle of the Mekong Delta in the south, visitors are spoilt for choice. Visitors can visit historical attractions and old temples. Vietnam is home to beautiful beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. The captial Hanoi has French colonial landmarks, Vietnamese War history museums and Cu Chi tunnels, used by Viet Cong soldiers. The Cu Chi tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located 40km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. These tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during the Vietnam war and were the base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. Visitors can crawl around the safer parts of the tunnel system. Vietnamese are welcoming and polite to tourists. Most Vietnamese are conservatively dressed and avoid wearing short sleeved shirt or shorts. When visiting religious sites, tourists should take care to dress in a long sleeved and shoulder-covered shirt as well as long pants.

Capital: Hanoi, Dialing code: +84, Currency: Vietnamese dong, Population: 89.71 million (2013), When to visit: All year-round., Climate: Tropical climate, rainy season Sep-Nov