Vietnam

Devastated by war and a failing economy, Vietnam has rebuilt itself over the past thirty-five years and has grown into a popular tourist destination. Shelled buildings and bomb craters have been replaced by bustling cities, vibrant paddy-fields and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

History

It is believed that the history of early Vietnam began with the emergence of an organized community of rice farmers around 2000 BC. By 111 BC, the Han Empire of China expanded their lands and ruled Vietnam for a thousand years. After the Vietnamese gained independence from their Chinese rulers, a period of infighting occurred followed by ten centuries of Vietnamese dynasties.

French occupation of Vietnam began in 1858 when a French armada captured Da Nang. The French saw the potential of Vietnam as an important trade route into southern China. By 1887, France controlled the entire country and formed the Union of Indochina along with Laos and Cambodia. Under the direction of the French, the economy in Vietnam shifted to large-scale rice production for export thus forcing peasants to work as indentured laborers. Under French occupation, Ho Chi Minh began his rise as a communist leader; receiving a majority of his training and education outside of the country. With the onset of World War II and while France was German-occupied; Japanese began to take control of Vietnam in 1941. In that same year, Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam and began gathering forces in northern Vietnam. In March of 1945, Japan appointed Bao Dai emperor.

By fall of 1945, the Japanese had surrendered to the Allied forces and on September 2, 1945 Minh declared that Vietnam was now the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The world failed to formally recognize the independence of Vietnam and China and French forces alternately attempted to seize control of the country. War soon erupted between French forces and the guerilla forces of the Viet Minh in the north. At the Geneva Conference in May 1954, the French and Viet Minh agreed to a ceasefire with neither the approval of the U.S. or Bao Dai. In July, Bao Dai named himself president of South Vietnam, only to be ousted out of office by his prime minister Ngo Dinh Diem.

In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh was building a socialist government and the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail was created to gather fighters in the South. Diem coined these fighters the Vietcong. In 1955, the United States began funding and training Diem’s army to combat the Vietcong. The U.S. supported Diem out of fear that a communist Vietnam would start a chain reaction and spread throughout Southeast Asia. In August 1964, a North Vietnamese ship attacked two U.S. ships and the U.S. retaliated by bombing northern bases and sending troops to Vietnam. In 1965 under President Johnson, the U.S. began Operation Rolling Thunder, a three-year carpet-bombing campaign in the North but even this could not stop the Northern fighters from infiltrating the South. Growing opposition to the war from Americans and increasing fatalities in what was considered a fruitless effort spurred withdrawal of troops and increased bombing that eventually led to the Paris Accords, a ceasefire was established and America withdrew its troops. The U.S. lost over 57,000 soldiers in the war while the Vietnam lost over two million civilians and one million troops.

In 1974 and 75, renewed fighting led to the South falling to the North. In July 1976, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam emerged but its economy and land had been destroyed by war. Its people were crippled and corrupted and the government took private land. It wasn’t until 1986 when Nguyen Van Linh introduced a market economy and other political and economic reforms did Vietnam begin to attract foreign capital and aid and begin to reintegrate itself into the world economy. In 1997, Vietnam took a hard hit in the economic crisis that pervaded Southeast Asia but the country’s economy has since improved through further restructuring and privatizing the economy. The deep poverty rate of Vietnam is lower than that of China, India and the Philippines. Vietnam is now a chief producer of cashew nuts and rice for export. Education in Vietnam is still in need of much restructuring and improvement as only education for 6-11 year olds is mandatory and free and education above this level is not free.

Before You Go

With a population of over 86 million, Vietnam has quickly become the 13th most populated country in the world. Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate; so the weather is determined by the south monsoon from May to September and the northeast monsoon from October to April. In general, late September to December and March to April are the best times to visit the country although there are major regional deviations. Although it is likely to still rain during these periods, you will avoid typhoons and heavy flooding. Southern Vietnam is typically dry from December to April while Hanoi and the north are warm during October to December, cold from January to March and wet and hot in the summer months.

There are border crossings into Vietnam in Cambodia, Laos and China. Tourists can enter into the country from these neighboring countries via international bus lines and trains. Vietnam has 10 international airports and many more domestic airports. International airports serve large cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue and Nha Trang. All foreign visitors require a visa to enter Vietnam. Tourist visas are valid for thirty days but three-month visas can be obtained. Visas can be obtained upon arrival or at any Vietnamese embassy; Bangkok is the most popular place to apply for a visa.

The currency in Vietnam is called the dong. The exchange rate for the dong is about 17,800d for one U.S. dollar. Vietnam has a two-tier pricing system where tourists often pay more than locals for transportation and accommodation. Transportation in Vietnam is centered on Highway 1, which runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and passes through Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. The main rail line runs parallel to Highway 1. Public buses can be unreliable and train service is slow but public transportation continues to improve each year. Privately run minibuses and internal flights are popular alternatives for travelers looking to save on time.

Travel Tips

Special care should be taken when drinking the water in Vietnam; in fact, it is highly recommended to refuse ice in drinks and to drink only bottled water since you body is not acclimated to the water and flooding can often contaminate the water system in Vietnam.

Petty theft is as common in Vietnam as other Southeast Asian countries. Expect to be offered drugs in Vietnam but be careful as engaging in the drug trade has consequences in Vietnam (fines, jail) as many sellers can turnaround to be snitches. Also, as Vietnam was once a war zone, the off-beaten-path itinerary may involve the threat of unexploded mines and other booby traps.

Over two-thirds of the population in Vietnam is Mahayana Buddhists who also follow the principles of Confucian. Vietnam, like its neighboring Southeast Asian countries, is socially more conservative than the Americas and Europe. It is recommended that travelers dress modestly and are respectful to locals and local traditions, especially when visiting temples.

Vietnam has many beautiful natural wonders to visit and important historical sites as well. Top places to visit include Cu Chi Tunnels where the Vietcong hid during the Vietnam War and the must-see Ha Long Bay, which is a World Heritage Site and the nearby Cat Ba Island. A visit to Hanoi, formerly Saigon, is typical on any itinerary as is a dive trip to Nha Trang. The stunning vista of paddy-fields and coconut plantations along the Mekong Delta is also a highlight of Vietnam. Whatever you choose, Vietnam is sure to delight and surprise you with its quiet beauty and truly remarkable emergence from war-torn country to coastal gem of Southeast Asia.

  Favorite Nighlife in the Area

  Favorite Events in the Area