Vietnam

Types of trips: Historical and Cultural, Events and Festivals, City tourism, Outdoor and Active, Sight-seeing, Ecotourism, Relaxation

Best known for: Weasel coffee, Water puppets, Ice-cream, Friendly citizens, Cu Chi tunnels, Cuisine.

Why Go?: The country boasts one of the most rich and fascinating histories in South East Asia. There are many places for you to learn about this. The variety of untouched, beautiful landscapes that are found here are also a reason to visit.

Fact File

Population: 89.71m

Capital: Hanoi

Language(s): Vietnamese

Ties to the UK: Slowly becoming a popular destination for British tourists.

Landscape: Mountains, Waterfalls, Rivers, Forests, Lakes, Beaches, Islands

Climate/Seasons: Monsoon season is May to October. Dry season is November to April.

When to Go: It is probably best to avoid monsoon season. There are festivals celebrating local culture held all year round.

Reasons to Visit: The largely untouched landscape gives you the opportunity to see sights far removed from anything you’ll find at home.

How to Get There: Flying is the only option for getting to Vietnam. The country has three international airports with a number of smaller domestic airports.

Places to Go: Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Trails,  

Famous People: Jonathan Ke Quan, Cung Le, Eugene Trinh, Dustin Nguyen

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba National Park, Mekong Delta, Giant Shell Tortoise.

History: Indochinese Communist Party, Vietnam War, Ho Chi Minh.

Architecture: Hue Imperial City, Pho Minh Pagoda, Ho Dynasty Palaces.

Culture: Religion is largely defined by largely defined by the East Asian mix of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Water puppetry is a tradition that Vietnamese people hold dear.

Sport: Football, Badminton, Ping Pong, Chess

Events: Many regional festivals held throughout the year. Lunar New Year and Moon Festivals are also a highlight.

Watch Out For: Be aware of local etiquette, pickpockets are a danger in the big cities.

Medical Issues: No mandatory vaccinations but certain areas do require antimalarial medications. Please consult with your G.P before leaving the U.K.