VIETNAM: FROM THE CHINESE NORTH TO THE AMERICAN SOUTH

VIETNAM: FROM THE CHINESE NORTH TO THE AMERICAN SOUTH

When I think of Vietnam, Rambo's film comes to mind. Certainly not a beautiful image: villages destroyed by war, death and poverty. Well, reality is not very different from this. With the exception of the big cities, Vietnam is a country that still suffers following the numerous wars of which it was the protagonist. From the Chinese domination, to French colonialism up to the famous Vietnam War against the United States.

HALONG BAY is one of the most touristic places in Vietnam, along with the rice fields of Sapa in northern Vietnam. It is a charming and unspoiled place (except for some disrespectful tourist). Although I prefer to travel alone, I suggest you book an organized tour that will take you from Hanoi directly to Halong Bay and from there get on the boat for the island tour (buy the package for the island of Cat Ba, it is less touristic and amazing). The view is spectacular, but the most interesting part is kayaking between the coves or trekking on one of the small islands (tours costs $20 and offer those kind of activities).

HANOI is a confused city. Traffic does not have precise laws: the fundamental principle is that nobody respects the driving rules and therefore everyone is careful and slowdown in uncertainty. I'll give you an example: at a green light, everyone slows down and looks at the other drivers, like western scene. And so to cross the road: slowly you make a small step and it is hoped that the scooter or the car will stop.

The city center is developed around the Restored Sword's lake. If you take a hotel or hostel there, you can easily walk around the city on foot or by scooter.

The mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh is certainly the most important monument of the city, not for its artistic beauty but for its symbolism: Ho Chi Minh is considered by the Vietnamese the savior, the hero of freedom, almost revered. He is so important that the city of Saigon was renamed in his honor after the victory of the Vietnamese Liberating Front in 1975.

HO CHI MINH is not a Vietnamese city, it is American in all aspects. More than a city to visit, it is a city to live. Scattered with skyscrapers, western-style pubs and massage centers. Walking around you can see many Indi temples and, if you want to see some history, do not miss the War Museum and the tunnels used during the war.  

If you like shopping (not original goods mainly), Bến Thành Market is the perfect place for you. I recommend you negotiate the price, at least 30% less. It is worth going to the Mekong Delta, about two hours by bus from Ho Chi Minh.  Here it is possible to see some charateristic village and to eat tasty fish directly from the sea. If Hanoi is a poor, crowded city, Ho Chi Minh is the rich, clean and western sister.

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Unfortunately I could not see many small villages on this trip for time reasons. If you want to experience Vietnam, you should go around by bus or car to see the non-tourist villages where the children, poor but happy, stare at you with curiosity, smiling.