Introduction
Vietnam, an Asian country, has long been separated into two states. North Vietnam with its capital Hanoi and South Vietnam with Saigon, which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. The two parts were reunited following the end of the Cold War. Today, it is quite possible to travel the country from north to south without a visa and without crossing a border. The mountains of the north and its famous Ha-Long Bay give way to the beaches of Nha Trang in the south, not to mention the beautiful Mekong Delta. And since neighboring Cambodia is only a 2-hour flight away, this travel will end with a visit to the archaeological site of Angkor Wat.
Hanoi
A gigantic city of 8 million people, Hanoi is a city that teems like an ant farm. City dwellers get around mainly by motorcycle or scooter. It is crossed by the Red River. Hanoi was the capital of French Indochina until the mid-20th century. Its old quarter and market are one of its main activities.
Rambutans, a kind of small red fruit covered with thorns, contain a translucent white fruit, similar in structure to a lychee, but with a more bitter taste.
Ha-Long Bay
Ha-Long Bay is 170km from downtown Hanoi. It takes 3 hours by bus to get there, then take a ferry. It is possible to spend the night on the water, staying with local people.
Ha-Long Bay allows for kayaking, the most ecological and enjoyable way, alone or with two people, to discover totally untouched coves by passing underneath these amazing rocks.
Cat Ba Island
On the way back from Ha Long Bay, it is possible to dock on the neighboring island of Cat Ba. Many hotels welcome tourists who want to extend the Ha-Long Bay experience. Some jungle tours are possible, with the help of a guide. The food is excellent. It is really a resourceful place.
Hue City
Hue is a city located 700km south of Hanoi, along the coastal road. Hue is very touristy, because of these old buildings and its Forbidden City, seat of the Nguyen Dynasty. Many shows and concerts are given there in traditional costume.
Hue is also a central point to visit the Vinh Moc tunnels used during the war with the Americans, as well as the demilitarized zone. It can be reached by car or motorcycle with driver. It is located about 70km north of Hue.
Hoi An
Hoi An has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1999. It is a port city and its old quarter is very popular, even more so during the Full Moon Lantern Festival.
The locals live a lot on the products of the sea and tropical forests, such as the fruit of the Jacquier tree, which is exclusively grown in Southeast Asia. It can weigh up to 50kg. It is part of the mulberry family, but its taste is mild and sweet, a bit like mango.
While walking on the beaches, you can see natives dressed from head to toe. It may seem strange, but you should know that Vietnamese people do not want to tan, and this for social class reasons. The more tanned you are, the more it means that you work in the fields or outside, so you are poor. It is also a sign of beauty for young women. You can find in supermarkets, anti-UV sun creams with bleaching agents.
Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien is a tropical national reserve. It is located 150km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It is entered by purchasing a ticket in the village of Nam Cat Tien. It is possible to rent bicycles in the park to visit it, which is very nice. Some rooms are also available for overnight stays. Its ecosystem includes many species of trees that are several hundred years old. The park is full of hiking trails, as well as botanical gardens and unusual wildlife, including crocodiles. The climate is tropical.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
The city is the capital of South Vietnam. The architecture of the buildings has nothing to do with Hanoi. It’s much more modern and very Western. The impression of being in a European city could almost be true. It’s very touristy and it’s especially the obligatory passage to reach the Mekong Delta or to take the plane to leave elsewhere.
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is a vast and very fertile region where the branches of several rivers, including the Mekong, flow into the sea. Interesting places to visit are Vinh Long, Can Tho and Bac Liêu, at the very south.
One of the attractions not to be missed is the floating market. But for this, you have to book your place in a boat at an agency and get up early, very early. The market starts at 5am. The goods pass from one boat to another.
Angkor Wat (Cambodia)
Having planned to visit Cambodia to put a fitting end to this travel, the best thing to do was to go back up to Ho Chi Minh City and fly to Siem Reap. The archaeological site of Angkor Wat, the jewel of Cambodia, is only 500km from Ho Chi Minh City and no more than 2 hours by plane. Siem Reap town adjoins the site and it is very easy to get a bicycle to ride around.
If you ride a bicycle along the temple circuit, you can see an architecture unique in the world. Nature has regained its rights and the roots of trees grow in the old walls left to abandon.
It is not uncommon to come across processions of young monks or entire groups following Buddha’s teachings.
That’s it, the travel stops here. Cambodia is much bigger, starting with its capital, Phnom Penh. Maybe that will be for another time.
