REGIONAL ADVISORY

The territory of Vietnam, occupying more than a thousand miles of coastline and the fertile Red River Valley, has been coveted through the ages by its neighboring countries. Several times over past millennia, China has conquered the region, and been repeatedly driven out by the will and tenacity of the Vietnamese people. France and Cambodia have also briefly held Vietnam.

For decades now, Vietnam has enjoyed peace as the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam. After so many years of conflict, Vietnam is now blossoming, sharing its natural wonders and unique culture with the world.

Vietnam’s bountiful waters: rivers, deltas, and the sea, have given rise to a culture as at home on the water as it is on land. Boats on the river congregate into floating markets; and some residents live in floating houses. Unique to Vietnam is its beautiful water puppetry, in which puppeteers stand waist deep in a pool, hidden behind a floating stage, and use underwater levers and pulleys to manipulate elaborate, waterproof, puppets.

The jewel of Vietnam’s coastline is Ha Long Bay, which means “Bay of the Descending Dragons.” Artists over the ages have tried to capture the beauty of its mists and towering spires of stone, but this is one sight that has to be experienced to be truly appreciated.

The city of Hué, half-way down Vietnam’s coast, contains many architectural treasures: The Citadel, a huge complex modeled after China’s Forbidden City; and many imperial tombs, such as the one built for Ming Manh in 1843, in which elaborate bridges connect each of the ceremonial halls to a manicured garden.

Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City, welcomes visitors with several points of interest: the fascinating labyrinth of temples in Cholon, the Cao Dai Cathedral with its unique blend of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, and Cu Chi, an amazingly elaborate and far-reaching system of tunnels used by the Vietnamese to hide weapons and soldiers in times of conflict.

Neighboring Cambodia contains the wondrous ruins at Angkor Wat. Built in the 7th and 11th centuries, these terraced temples are wonderfully ornamented with bas relief carvings which are amazingly well-preserved. Other archeological sites of interest include: Ta Phrom, Bantreay Srei, and Bayon. Bayon contains bas-reliefs depicting over 10,000 figures in scenes from all walks of life. In Ta Phrom, trees grow among the ruins, creating a panorama of man’s art amidst nature’s implacable force.

North of Cambodia in Laos, a traveler encounters the villages of the colorful hill tribes. The innocence and enthusiasm of these native people, and their amazing silver jewelry and handicrafts are sure to delight.

The experienced guides at First Cabin Travel stand ready to show you the wonders of Vietnam and its neighbors, ensuring you see all the best sights and smoothing your way with expert translation and descriptions of local culture and customs.

 

Design by Damian Bendersky