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Vietnam, a name too long
associated with the horrors of war, has finally won its last battle
- to capture the imagination of the travelling public. Elegant
Hanoi now vies with its dynamic sister, Ho Chi Minh City
(still fondly called Saigon by the locals), for the attention of
visitors drawn by the eclectic mix of old and new. In both cities
the streets are jam-packed with motorbikes and scooters, often
carrying whole families, and the markets are chaotically busy.
Elsewhere, the scenes are timeless. Early morning on the Mekong
Delta brings the daily floating markets where fruit and vegetables
are peddled. Everywhere the green patchwork of rice paddies
stretches into the distance, broken only by the silhouette of water
buffalo and conical-hatted farm workers bending down to tend the
young plants.
Start with the capital, Hanoi, which retains an air of French
colonial elegance, with pretty yellow stucco buildings lining leafy
streets. Wander round the Old Quarter, a fascinating maze of tiny
shops, markets and cafes. Pay respects at the Ho Chi Minh
Mausoleum.
Discover the architecture of Hué, the former capital of the
emperors of Vietnam, and the remains of the Imperial Citadel
(largely destroyed during the Tet offensive in 1968). Tour the
nearby mausoleums of several of Vietnam's emperors, including Khai
Dinh and Tu Duc, each unique in style.
To escape the heat of the plains, head for Dalat, a former
colonial hill station, reminiscent of a French town, with faded,
elegant villas evocative of another era. The romantic lakes and
alpine scenery are magnets for Vietnamese honeymooners. |
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