The S-shaped country is known for its war-stricken history born by the Chinese settlers, the French, and finally, the great Vietnam War that involved the US military force. All that experience moulded the modern-day Vietnam with deeply-rooted Chinese traditions mixed with French influence and a hint of westernization.
Saigon is a popular tourist destination mainly which still displays symbols of the French colonialism with its architecture that withstood the war. Also known as Ho Chi Minh, the city has already been modernized with shopping malls and skyscrapers. Tourists still flock to museums that display war remnants and the Cu-Chi Tunnels that served as hiding spots and supply routes for food, medicine and weapons for the Viet Cong soldiers. The 75-mile long tunnels are now part of the War Memorial Park where tourists can crawl around the safe parts of the tunnel system. Tourists also take home lacquered wares from the famous Ben Than market as an oriental souvenir of their Saigon trip.
In the middle of the "S" land is a developing city of Danang. Traditional practices are still maintained in this part of Vietnam that mixes the strong French heritage from the South and the influences from the neighboring Laos and Cambodia. The province is famous for the Marble Mountain whose cave once housed a Viet Cong hospital, cunningly hidden from under the noses of the US American airfield. A few caves still exist and contain Buddhist statues carved onto the rocks. The caves became hidden grottoes that allowed the Vietnamese to practice their rituals. Vietnam's modern stone-cutting industry creates the most exquisite marble and jade figurines shaped into religious symbols, as well as depictions of ancient Chinese stories. A few kilometers from Danang is the ancient Hue, a city where old houses and temples of Chinese influence are preserved and marvelled by tourists.
In the north is the famous Ha Noi, a favorite site for backpackers partly because it is the only place where some American food establishments can be found. The bustling city of Hanoi is concentrated in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The old-street layout is still eminent, with traditional shop fronts still fashioning old architecture. Travellers love the cheap finds of silk and jewelry in the Old Quarter shopping area which is near Hoan Kiem Lake. Six hours from Ha Noi is the HaLong Bay archipelago, home to the Dau Go Cave and existing fishing villages. Two-day HaLong Bay cruises are popular among travellers as they admire a few of the 1,969 islands that make up the archipelago.
Vietnam is an exotic blend of history and culture, with its war-torn with years of battle and its various foreign influences lending a unique air to this now peaceful country. Discover Vietnam and other beautiful destinations in Asia when you visit Travelingeast.com
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