Vietnam

A Place of Prehistoric Past and Clearing Scenery and Colorful Culture

Vietnam is a state of Southeast Asia region of east historical background, multicultural nature and of marvelous nature. With its lush rice terraces of the north and the dynamic cities of the south, Vietnam is one place that provides the right amount of ancient and modernity coupled by awe inspiring sceneries. Vietnam with its rich cultural heritage, historical attractions, and natural beauty has turned out to be one of the most thrilling and trending travel destinations of the Asian continent.

During this detailed guide, we are going to discuss geography, history, culture, economy, and the top five attractions that you must visit in this wonderful country Vietnam that would provide you with all the information that you would require to have a great experience of the beauty and diversity of this unique country.

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Geographical Location

Vietnam is in Southeast Asia, with China in the northern border, Laos and Cambodia in the Southwest, and the South China Sea in the eastern boundaries. The state is 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) long north and south and has an area of 331,210 square kilometers.

The country of Vietnam also possesses a long coastline which is around 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) long and which is endowed with beautiful beaches, fishing villages and major ports. The country is typified with mountains in the north, fertile plains in the center and in the south they have lush deltas.

Natural Features and the landforms

The land of Vietnam is completely varied with mountains being the main feature especially in the northern part of the country. The red river Delta, which makes up the Hanoi region offers fertile grounds to farm, whereas the Mekong delta of the South region is a delta of rivers, swamps, and islands that are characterized by an incredible biodiversity.

The country of Vietnam is also known to be home of the Ha Long Bay which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where limestone hills protrude magnificently out of the emerald waters. The other natural attractions that are in Vietnam are the Phong Nha-Khong bang national park, the Phong Nha cave which is one of the biggest caves in the world, and Sapa rice terraces that are also some of the most beautiful agricultural landscapes in the world.

Ancient Historical and Medieval History

The history of Vietnam spans back to thousands of years ago with the first trace of civilized living being Dong Son culture which was formed around 1000 BCE in the red river delta. The early history of Vietnam is characterized by the Chinese occupation (111 BCE to 938 CE) that significantly influenced the culture, language and the systems of governance in Vietnam.

When Vietnam became a sovereign state after independence from China in the year 938 CE, it developed its own dynasties, the most famous of which include the Ly Dynasty and the Tran Dynasty. It was the time when Confucianism and Buddhism developed as the major philosophical and religious forces, and the only place of the Vietnamese imperial capital was established in Hanoi.

French colonization and Independence

Vietnam turned into a French colony within French Indochina in the 19th century. This exploitation of resources, suppression of culture and economic inequality during the colonial times gave rise to resentment among Vietnamese people.

The country finally got its independence after decades of fighting, after the First Indochina war of 1946-1954, and the nation was divided into the North Vietnam of the communist village leader, Ho Chi Minh, and the US and its allies controlled South Vietnam.

Vietnam War and Reunification

The Vietnam war (1955-1975) was one of the most important happenings in the history of the modern origin of the country. The conflict developed between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, and the United States greatly participated and supported the South. The war caused massive death to its people, massive destruction of the country and huge political severance.

North Vietnam managed to achieve the victory in 1975 and the reunification of the country with the communist regime. The newly established Socialist Republic of Vietnam was going through a tricky phase of reconstruction and isolation, and the economy was devastated, and international sanctions were applied.

Modern Vietnam

Vietnam has made profound political and economical changes since the 1980s, where it has transformed its centralized planned economy to a market-oriented economy. Such transformations have been dubbed as Đổi Mới (Renovation) and they have brought forth fast economic performance, more trade with the world and an escalated tourism industry. Nowadays, Vietnam is a fast growing state with a blossoming middle-class population and a gradually more notable role on the international market.

Religious Christian Diversity

Vietnam is a multiethnic state, and it has more than 50 ethnic groups. Most inhabitants are Kinh (Vietnamese) however there are also large groups of Tay, Hmong, Hoa and Muong individuals who are all oriented toward their own language, traditions and ways. The cultural diversity of the country is involved in the celebration of these differences through different kinds of the festivals, art forms and cuisine.

Vietnam has a strong Buddhist population (approximately 70 percent) where most of them are Mahayana Buddhists. Confucianism and Taoism have found their way into the culture of Vietnam also at least when it comes to family and social order. The Catholics, Protestants and Muslims also have their communities.

Practices and Traditions

Vietnamese culture revolves around family, respect towards elderly and community values. The most relevant holiday of the year is the Traditional Vietnamese New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán) that involves family reunions, worship of the ancestors, and diverse cultural festivals.

Traditions of the country are reflected in Vietnamese art, music and dance. Among the most well-known representations of Vietnamese art are water puppetry, folk music and calligraphy. Women wear an ao dai that is a traditional Vietnamese dress on festivals and formal occasions.

Cuisine

Vietnamese food is widely acclaimed in the world due to its cleanliness of ingredients, colorful taste, and sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste combination. Among the most popular dishes there are:

Pho: It is a mouthwatering beef or chicken noodle soup flavored with herbs and rice noodle.

Banh mi: The French-inspired sandwich that consists of a crispy baguette, meat, vegetables and sauces.

Banh xeo: Vietnamese pancake with filling made of shrimp, pork and vegetables.

Spring rolls (Gỏi cuốn): These are the fresh rolls/spring rolls that contain shrimp, vegetables and rice noodles, which can be accompanied with dipping sauces.

The Economy of Vietnam: The Agriculture, Industry and Technology

One of the pillars of the economy in Vietnam is agriculture and among the main agricultural products that are exported include rice, coffee, tea, cocoa, and rubber. Rice is also one of the most popular crops in the country; moreover, its rice terraces in such places as Sapa are known to be of spectacular beauty. In Vietnam, there is also a variety of tropical fruits grown such as the mangoes, papayas and the bananas.

Industry and manufacturing

Vietnam has obtained its rapid increase of industrialization in the last several decades. Textile and garment is another big industry of the economy and Vietnam is among the largest exporters of clothing in the world. Some other important industries are electronics, motor vehicles and construction materials. Notable foreign investment has been incurred in the country especially in the manufacturing and exportation sector.

Technology and innovation

The technology and the IT markets in Vietnam are growing at a crazy pace as well, as the government is encouraging innovation and digitalization. The nation is emerging as a centre of tech start-ups and it has shown a trend of more investment in software development, e-commerce and artificial intelligence. Southeast Asia is a coming tech hub, with Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi.

Cultural and Historical Sites

Hanoi- The Capital City that is famous with French colonial buildings, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Temple of Literature.

Hue- Hue is a historic city with an imperial city, royal tombs and a perfume river.

Hoi An – an ancient town and a UNESCO World Heritage that is known to be lit up with lanterns and beautiful beaches.

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam The largest city of Vietnam, is a city with French colonial architecture, Ben Thanh Market and lively nightlife.

Natural Attractions

Ha Long Bay – A UNESCO world heritage site is famously known as the bay containing thousands of limestone islands, caves, and clear waters.

Phong Nha-KHe Bang national park: It is an area renowned due to its enormous caves including the largest cave in the world, Son Doong.

Mekong Delta: Mekong Delta is a great place to take a boat tour of the endless rivers and water fairways of the south of Vietnam. It is worth going to its legendary floating markets and experiencing its cultural life.

Healthcare System

Over the past few years, Vietnam has recorded substantial gains on the outcome of health infrastructure. All citizens have access to the public healthcare system and the number of citizens who can use the services that the private healthcare sector also offers has increased especially in areas such as the major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The nation has improved on the health condition of the country on mothers, vaccination, and disease management.

Education System

Vietnam has achieved a lot in the area of education as literacy rate is high and much importance is given to primary and secondary education. Institutions such as Vietnam National University and Hanoi University are able to provide the top education in the world and the nation is regarded as a land of science, technology and engineering.

Ideal Seasons

March to April and September to November are the best times to visit Vietnam because the favorable and mild weather during those seasons is suitable for spending an outdoor day. Southern regions are quite hot and humid in summer months, whereas the north tends to be colder during the winter season.

Festivals and Events

The best known festival in Vietnam is T bi L b X t Nguyen Dan (Vietnamese New Year) celebrated in January or February. It is party time when families get together, eat and meet and perform the cultures. Additional good culture experiences can also be found in other festivals such as the Hue Festival and Mid Autumn festival.

Summary: Cultural richness and Natural Beauty of Vietnam

Vietnam is a land which is unique in terms of ancient history, culture as well as natural beauty. Be it catching up with the history of Hanoi street or scaling the Sapa rice terrace or taking a beach break in Hoi An, Vietnam has it all to suit everyone! Vietnam is still one of the most interesting places in Asia in terms of its warm welcome, unique beautiful sceneries and traditions of cultural life.

Frequently asked questions

When is the right time to visit Vietnam?

Spring (March to April) and autumn (September to November) will be the best time to visit Vietnam since the weather is favorable.

So what are the must see places in Vietnam?

There are Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, and Hoi An top attractions.

Which are the languages spoken in Vietnam?

Vietnamese is the official language. Most cities and tourist towns speak English.