Vietnam has always had a special place in my mind over the years. Starting with Ho Chi Minh City we began our three week journey through Vietnam . Saigon ( HCM City) – My Context .Here are some of the highlights.

My series of posts on Choosing the right hotel has really come of age. With eleven posts in this series I have covered cities in Europe and the Far East and have repeatedly proven the value of the three step process in selecting the right hotel. Read about in Choosing the Right Hotel – Hanoi & Choosing the Right Hotel – Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh city is a good blend of the modern and the colonial. It was the capital of the French government from 1887 to 1902 and 1947 till 1954 when most of the colonial style buildings were constructed. These buildings are a must see both by day and by night when they are well lit up. Do Check out our progress at Night ride through Ho Chi Minh City and Iconic buildings in HCM city

My Tho is the largest town on the mighty Mekong river delta. The Mekong river is the life line of the population along the river which traverses through four countries. There are four main islands in the river and rough boat ride through the river and canoe rides through the island canals are highly recommended. Sample the delights of Vietnamese food on the islands. The cuisine dispels the notion that a vegetarian Vietnamese meal is not possible. The Vinh Trang Pagoda at My Tho is the largest in the region and makes for a good stopover enroute. Do follow our journey to My Tho at the Mekong River Delta .

For military history enthusiasts, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi tunnels north of the city provide a deep insight into the struggles endured during the Vietnam War. This is further enriched by a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, which offers a glimpse into the harsh life of the political prisoners. Add to this the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum/museum and you have a good understanding of the tribulations of the revolutionaries who fought against the French colonizers and the Americans for a little less than a hundred years. Along with the many other museums in Hanoi the impression that is conveyed is that while the Vietnamese people acknowledge the struggled for independence and they have moved on without dwelling in the past to build a new modern and great nation, Photos below are from the Vietnamese History Museum , Women’s museum, War Remrnants museum an Hoa Lo Prison. Select your museums wisely in Hanoi – There are too many of them. Read about our museum experiences at Museums and a Mausoleum – Hanoi and Museums and a Mausoleum – Hanoi – Contd and The Last day in Hanoi ,

A Trip to Hanoi would not be complete without a trip to the UNESCO Heritage site of Ha Long Bay ,three hours away so selected for its “stunning natural beauty and a notable example of karst(limestone formations) terrain shaped by the sea“. Another excursion i would recommend is a trip to the Northern highlands town of SAPA and the Mountain Phang Xi Pang (Fansipan) the highest peak in the region. Do enjoy the stunning beauty of Halong bay with us on a cruise Halong Bay aboard a Luxury Yacht and the conquest of Fansipan by cable car and funicular at Fansipan via Sa Pa .

On the last leg of our tour we visited Da Nang and Hoi An. The fire breathing dragon on the Dragon bridge was an interesting diversion from the pagodas and the history of Vietnam Check it out at Fireballs, Beaches and more : A Trip to Da Nang, The Linh Ung Pagoda is a recent and popular tourist spot offering brilliant views of the My Khe beach. Hoi An is a small town an hours drive away from Da Nang which is mini capsule of all the offerings of the Vietnam for the tourist – History, temples and pagodas, great food , beaches and an extremely well preserved old quarter which reflects the multi cultural influence of the city. Above all Hoi An is the tailoring capital of Vietnam and well worth trying out the skills of the tailors. Read About them at A short trip to Hoi An .

Vietnam is a great tourist destination filled with history , stunning beaches , great food , excellent tourist infrastructure and above all the warmth and friendliness of the people who go out of their way to make a trip through the country memorable.