With over 80 million inhabitants and a young
population, there is a tangible sense of
growth and excitement as Vietnam adapts its
Socialist rule to the modern age, overcoming a
turbulent past and hurtling towards a prosperous
future. Shopping in one of Hanoi’s increasing
number of chic boutiques, staying at one of the
latest stylish resorts or sampling Saigon’s emerging
bar and restaurant scene, you will be amazed by
the frenetic pace at which these great cities are
developing.
Vietnam is however also characterised by the
picture postcard Asia of old which has captivated
travellers for so many years. It is here that you will
see many of the iconic images of a disappearing
Asia – vendors in conical hats selling food from a
shoulder yoke, endless green rice paddies being
ploughed by water buffalo, sampan boats in narrow
waterways or entire families being ferried around by
a rickety cyclo.
Despite the fast-paced development of her cities,
Vietnam retains a strong pride in the rich and
complex fabric of her history. Allow your guide to
unlock the ritual and ceremony surrounding the
Imperial Citadel in Hue or explore the ancient port
of Hoi An, whose lantern-lit old town has remained
virtually unchanged for centuries.
My Holidays: VIEWED
