Vietnam: The Star of The East

Vietnam: the star of the East, is a country of striking contrasts and timeless charm. It is so called this for it’s war-torn history, lush green mountains and valleys, white-sanded beaches, delicious cuisine and pulsating cities. If you can see past the over-populated cities full of millions upon millions of Vietnamese going from A to B on their motorised scooters. If you can see past some of the poverty and the cramped and unsanitary living conditions of the people. You will love this country!

Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia along the eastern edge of the Indochinese Peninsula. Bordered by China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, and the South China Sea to the east, Vietnam stretches in a long, narrow shape that spans more than 1,600 kilometers from north to south. This unique geography creates a rich diversity of landscapes, climates, and cultural experiences that makes it a captivating travel destination.

Vietnam History, Food & Culture

The country’s history is both complex and compelling. Vietnam has endured centuries of foreign rule, including Chinese domination for over a thousand years and later French colonialism in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The 20th century brought further turmoil through the Vietnam War, a conflict that deeply shaped the nation’s identity. Today, Vietnam stands as a resilient and rapidly developing country, embracing modernization while preserving its heritage.

Vietnam is one of the most vibrant and dynamic countries in Asia. Its culture reflects a blend of indigenous traditions and influences from China, France, and other parts of the world. This fusion is evident in everything from its cuisine to its architecture and daily life.

It has some of the best food I’ve ever tasted with dishes like: Pho, rice paper rolls, Banh Mi, and Vietnamese pancakes. The accommodation in cute little boutique style hotels is not only cheap (around $50 per night), but clean, modern and well equipped. The only complaint I would have is that the mattresses were sometimes extremely thin and hard.

Although Vietnam is home to a population of over 100 million people, the Vietnamese people are delightful. They go out of their way to be friendly and hospitable and go beyond the call of duty. Some of the Vietnamese women are so beautiful and the children ever so cute!

Ho Chi Minh City

Our ten day tour of Vietnam commenced in Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, it is the economic centre of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the energy is immediate and unmistakable. A must-visit landmark is the War Remnants Museum, which provides a powerful and sobering insight into the Vietnam War through photographs, artefacts, and personal accounts. Nearby, the Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace, stands frozen in time, offering visitors a glimpse into the dramatic events of April 1975 that marked the end of the war.

The city’s French colonial heritage is evident in elegant structures like the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and the Saigon Central Post Office, both architectural highlights that transport visitors back to the 19th century. For a more modern perspective, the Bitexco Financial Tower offers panoramic views of the sprawling city from its Skydeck.

No visit is complete without experiencing the bustling markets. Ben Thanh Market is the most famous, where visitors can shop for souvenirs, textiles, and local street food while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. For a deeper cultural experience, we decided to venture just outside the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This extensive underground network of tunnels used during the war, offers a fascinating look at guerrilla warfare and resilience.

Mekong Delta

On our second day in Ho Chi Minh City we embarked on a full day tour of the Mekong River area. The Mekong Delta is by far Vietnam’s most productive region in agriculture and aquaculture. Life in the Mekong Delta revolves much around the river, and many of the villages are often accessible by rivers and canals rather than by road. We visited a coconut farm where they extracted the oil from the coconuts to produce goods such as soap, moisturizers and sweets. There are some very good floating markets here as well, where you buy almost anything from fresh fruit and vegetables to silk scarves.

Along the way we stopped at a disabled people workshop where they were making this incredible lacquer ware. Some of the work was painstakingly created out of tiny pieces of mother-of-pearl or egg shells – quite beautiful.

Hoi An

After a few days in Ho Chi Minh we jumped on a flight to Da Nang where we were transferred to the charming beach resort town of Hoi An. Here we spent a few days enjoying the pristine white sand and aquamarine water.

Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. They have hundreds of tailors that can whip up anything you desire out of the most beautiful silk fabrics in a variety of colours and patterns. They also have leather shoemakers who can craft a custom-made pair of soft leather shoes in a day. Like everything in Vietnam, the prices are very reasonable.

Hanoi

The last leg of our stay was spent in the northern city of Hanoi. Here we explored this vast heavily populated city that is located on the right bank of the Red River. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, renowned for its centuries-old architecture, tree-lined boulevards, and tranquil lakes.

In the heart of the city of Hanoi lies the Old Quarter Hanoi, a maze of narrow streets where each lane historically specialized in a particular trade. Today, it’s a lively hub filled with street food stalls, boutique shops, and colonial-era buildings. There’s the thousand-year-old district known as the “36 Streets”. Each street once belonged to a separate merchant guild and is still very specialised – a street of shoes, of herbal medicines, of fake Ray-Bans. Shopper’s heaven really!

A focal point of Hanoi is the serene Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals gather to exercise, relax, and socialize. In the middle of the lake sits Ngoc Son Temple, accessible by a charming red bridge and steeped in legend. For history enthusiasts, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important site where visitors can pay respects to the nation’s founding leader.

Hanoi is also home to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, dating back to the 11th century. Its peaceful courtyards and traditional architecture provide a glimpse into the country’s scholarly past. Another highlight is the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that reveals layers of Vietnam’s imperial history.

Ha Long Bay

We drove four hours out of Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and boarded a luxury cruise boat (Vietnamese junk style) for a two night cruise around this magical area in the Gulf of Tonkin. The bay consists of a dense cluster of over 1969 limestone monolithic islands each topped with thick jungle vegetation, rising spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves.

We spent two days exploring some of these islands and caves, including a walk up 400 stairs to a very scenic lookout on Tip Top Island. The bay is heart-stoppingly beautiful, especially at dawn and dusk, when the shadows on the forested limestone towers turn it into dreamland. As part of the cruise we visited a completely self sufficient floating village complete with their own school and a fish farm.

Vietnam’s appeal lies not only in its destinations but in the rhythm of everyday life—the hum of motorbikes, the aroma of street food, and the warmth of its people. Whether exploring ancient towns, cruising through scenic landscapes, or delving into its layered history, Vietnam offers a journey that is as enriching as it is unforgettable.

Vietnam is an exciting place, with much of the charm of Thailand but less problematic and tawdry. Its terrible history has, so far, kept it mostly unspoiled by tourism and, goodness knows, is compelling in itself. If you are looking for a great holiday on a budget with cheap tasty food, good shopping and beautiful beach resorts, then Vietnam is a must see!

Here’s some interesting facts about Vietnam by KarolinaPatryk