WHY Vietnam ?
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about Vietnam, without daring to ask!
A land of stunning natural beauty and cultural complexities, vibrant megalopolises and mountain ethnic villages (54 minorities in total), VIETNAM is both exotic and fascinating.
Vietnam is a country of endless beauty, charm and fascinating traditions. It offers a heady mix of natural wonder and cultural complexity, a beautifully diverse hub of South East Asia characterized by adventure, overflowing with flavors and rooted in a millennial history of colonization, wars and drama. The juxtaposition of modern city life and the calm and serenity of farming villages and mountain towns make this country one of a kind.
History has not spared this once majestic country. He still bears the scars today, even if the pressing desire to make up for lost time tends to hide them. Open to the world only since the 80s, the steep paths of Vietnam are still, for some, preserved from mass tourism.
So from the hubbub of modern cities, where ancient pagodas rub shoulders with neon bars and skyscrapers, through misty highlands covered in rice terraces, where buffaloes still wade alongside farmers in conical hats, golden beaches and towering karst formations, sprinkled over the emerald waters of the South China Sea, Vietnam truly has it all and will please you.
General presentation
Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia, surrounded by Laos, Cambodia and China. It is bordered by the South China Sea, the Gulf of Tonkin et le Gulf of Thailand. It is made up of three main groups: northern, central and southern Vietnam.
For this trip to Vietnam, put all your senses to work. Contemplate landscapes of unparalleled beauty. Listen carefully and listen to the distant hubbub of bustling cities.
Do you smell this sweet scent of authenticity? Your taste buds are not left out with the local cuisine and use your hands to learn traditional gestures.
The beauty and diversity of the landscapes, the kindness of the Vietnamese, the local cuisine and the history of this country, make Vietnam: the Pearl of Southeast Asia! Nature lovers, in search of authentic encounters, history buffs or adventurers at heart… Vietnam is made for you!
Natural wonders and stunning landscapes
Those looking for a real change of scenery on their travels will find a garden of treasures in Vietnam, where pristine beaches, untouched islands, soaring mountains and scorching jungles combine to form a landscape as varied as it is beautiful.
From Mekong delta to golden dunes to the south, from theRed River Delta du fleuve Rouge, from the rice terraces to the karst formations in the north, Vietnam really packs a punch when it comes to landscapes.
Head to Con Dao Island for its deserted beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, wildlife and diving, or look for near-pristine sites in national parks. The National Park of Phong Nha Ke Bang is the perfect destination for nature and adventure enthusiasts.
The southeast is known as Vietnam’s rice bowl, where a rolling vista of orchards, rice paddies and floating markets unfurl like arteries on the mighty Mekong.
Here you will see a timeless way of life where locals ply their trade on traditional boats called Sampan and the floating markets add a splash of color to the landscape.
Dynamic and bustling cities
Vietnam is home to nearly 97 million people, many of whom are crammed into the 2 large swirling areas of the country’s two main cities, Hanoi in the north and Saigon in the south.
Hanoi, nicknamed the “Paris de l’Orient”, is the cultural heart of Vietnam, where Parisian style meets the vibrant energy of Asia.
It is here that you will also find picturesque lakes and leafy boulevards, weaving between French colonial buildings, 11th century ruins, modern skyscrapers and colorful pagodas.
Far from the chaos of the main streets, women practice Tai Chi in the park, while farmers set up their stalls in the winding alleys of the old quarter.
Quieter than Saigon in the south, Hanoi offers old-world charm in sync with its modern sprawl.
Hô Chi Minh-city (formerly Saigon) is the original pearl of the orient, where new and old collide, skyscrapers, clubs and restaurants share the horizon with pagodas, ancient markets.
The city’s fascinating and often turbulent history adds a wild and chaotic modern edge to its character.
Culinary delights
Vietnamese cuisine is distinctive and delicious, blending salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, all tied together in the ubiquitous nuoc mam sauce. Each dish is given a savory twist with combinations of cane sugar, citrus or tamarind and chili peppers, while generous helpings of fresh herbs add color to the table and unmistakable flavor to the kitchen.
All along the great coast of Vietnam, you will find excellent seafood dishes, in places like Nha Trang, which is the nation’s beach capital, scenic mountains provide a backdrop for seaside parks and sculpture gardens, stylish restaurants and bars.
It is here that the unique flavors of Vietnam are showcased, in superb seafood meals, complemented by party culture and nightlife.
Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an old trading port in a scenic riverside location, home to richly decorated architecture and ancient cobbled streets. Influenced by centuries of trade and an influx of cultures from China and Japan among others, the region’s multicultural character is evident in the many restaurants, cooking schools and markets.
Hoi An’s pedestrian streets offer some respite from the traffic, adding to the laid-back charm of this quiet town, the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat and get a taste of the real taste of Vietnam.
The presence for centuries of imperial dynasties in Hue has led to the development of a refined cuisine, with complex and subtle tastes elevated to the rank of art. Moreover, the culinary art of the royal court of Hue is considered as the apogee of Vietnamese gastronomy and is therefore considered as national cultural heritage.
The former imperial capital, proud of its prestigious past and its cultural and culinary heritage, can pride itself on being a Mecca for Vietnamese gastronomy where royal, popular and vegetarian cuisine is skilfully combined.
Excitement and intensity
Whether you are looking for cultural immersion, natural spectacles or water sports, Vietnam is guaranteed to get your pulse racing.
Vietnam a nation on the move, where swarms of scooters zip along city streets, winding rides burrow into the breathtaking Hai Van Pass (pass of the clouds) and traditional junks or fabulous luxury boats frolic among the karst towers in the emerald waterways of the mythical Halong Bay.
Visit a terraced tea plantation, soak up the bright sunshine any time of the day, step between the raindrops of the monsoon, or try on a traditional conical hat…
That’s what Vietnam has to offer, and much more!
