Vietnam's General Information

Background

Even though Vietnam is known for war by some western countries, we still have to take a look in reality that Vietnam possesses a very fascinating beauty and peaceful cultural living. Its Natural milieus are among the finest, and its cuisine is very possibly the most delicious you will ever discover.

History
Vietnam's identity has been shaped by long-running conflicts, both internally and with foreign forces. In 111 BC, China's Han dynasty conquered northern Vietnam's Red River Delta and the ancestors of today's Vietnamese. Chinese dynasties ruled Vietnam for the next 1,000 years, inculcating it with Confucian ideas and political culture, but also leaving a tradition of resistance to foreign occupation.

Language
The official national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese, a tonal monosyllabic Mon–Khmer language which is spoken by the majority of the population. In its early history, Vietnamese writing used Chinese characters.

Religion
For much of Vietnamese history, Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism have been the dominant religions, strongly influencing the national culture. About 85% of Vietnamese identify with Buddhism, though not all practice on a regular basis.

Culture
Vietnam's culture has developed over the centuries from indigenous ancient Dong Son culture with wet rice agriculture as its economic base. To some extent, the national culture can be seen as part of the Sinosphere, drawing on elements of Confucianism and Laoism in its traditional political system and philosophy.

Cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine uses very little oil and many vegetables. The main dishes are often based on rice and soy sauce. Sugar, serrano peppers, lime and nuoc mam (fish sauce) are among the most common flavorings, as are mint and basil.

 

Tourist Spots

130-year old house in the Western Southland
It deals with an ancient house in Binh Thuy. The owner is respected Mr. Duong Minh Hien, an old sentimental man, by chance, remaining in the XX century.

A Fairy Land
With renowned landscapes, such as Tam Dao, Tay Thien, Dai Lai, Dam Vac and Thac Bac, Vinh Phuc Province has become a wonderland with innumerable marvels that have left unforgettable impressions on every visitor.

Am Chua Temple
According to the legend, this was place where the Goddess descended on earth. The temple was restored many times, and today it looks nicely. Every year, on the first, the second and the third day of the third lunar month, the festival is organized at the temple which is attracting many Cham and Viet people to attend.

An Binh-Binh Hoa Phuoc River Island
Mr. Sau Giao’s Flower Garden in Hoa Ninh, with hundreds of various ornamental plants: yellow apricots, chieu thuy plums and jasmine.

An Sinh Temple and Tran Tombs
They were built in the period of Tran Dynasty and restored many times under the following Le and Nguyen Dynasties.

An Son Temple
In 1783, Nguyen Anh was defeated by Tay Son and ran away to Con Dao Island. Together with fishermen, Lord Nguyen Anh founded three villages: An Hai, An Hoi, and Co Ong.

Ba Danh Pagoda
The Ba Danh Pagoda can be found in the Kim Bang District of Ha Nam Province, about 10km from the town of Phu Ly.

Ba Vi National Park
Along with Cuc Phuong National Forest, Ba Vi National Park is thought of as the natural “air - conditioner” or “green lungs” of the northern delta and the city of Hanoi within.

Ba Ho Stream
Ba Ho stream is 25 km from Nha Trang to the north. This is a stream originating from the top of Hon Son (over 660m), flowing between the two sides of the rocky mountains into the fields of Phu Huu hamlet, Ninh Ich village, Ninh Hoa district, then pours into Nha Phu swamp.

Ba Den Mountain
Ba Den Mountain is located 11 km NorthEast of Tay Ninh and 106 km from Ho Chi Minh City. It is an historical and beautiful site covering an area of more than 24 km2.

Nha Trang
Nha Trang is Vietnam’s most popular seaside resort town located along the second most beautiful bays in the country. It features beautiful beaches with fine and clean sand and clear ocean water with mild temperatures.

Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located about 40 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during the Vietnam War, and were the base of operations for the T?t Offensive in 1968.

Mekong River (Mekong Delta)
The Mekong Delta is the region in southern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea. It is a very rich and lush area, covered with rice fields, that produces about half of the total of Vietnam’s agricultural output.

Mui Ne
Mui Ne has seen some serious development in the last 15 years. Due to strong sea breezes it is a popular destination in Vietnam for kite- and windsurfing. No trip to Mui Ne is complete without a trip to the famous sand dunes located a short distance north of the town.

Sa Pa Terraces
Sa Pa is a town in northwest Vietnam not far from the Chinese border. Rice terraces can be found in the Muong Hoa valley between Sa Pa town and the Fansipan Mountain, on a backdrop of thick bamboo woodlands.

Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam. Phu Quoc is what Phuket would be if it hadn’t been overrun by development. The island features pristine tropical forests, undamaged coral reefs and great beaches.

Hoi An
This fishing-village-turned-tourist-attraction is situated on the coast of the South China Sea. Hoi An has been an international port from the 16th century although the serious shipping business has long since moved to the city of Da Nang.

Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi)
HKiem Lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as the locals’ favorite leisure spot. Hoan Kiem means “returned sword”, and the name comes from a legend in which King Le Loi was given a magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading Chinese.

Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue)
The Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue is the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. The pagoda overlooks the Perfume River and is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital.

Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is situated in North Vietnam round a 120 kilometer long coast line and is literally translated as “Bay of Descending Dragons”. The top tourist attraction in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay features thousands of islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars.