DK Travel - DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Vietnam

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t Ho Chi Minh City skyline at sunset

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t The dramatic Cau Vang Golden Bridge, held up by giant concrete hands, Ba Na Hills near Danang.

With its golden beaches, lush green mountains, jungles, fertile river deltas, ancient pagodas and temples, and delicious cuisine, Vietnam is a fascinating country of diverse landscapes and peoples. Whatever your dream trip to Vietnam entails, this DK Eyewitness Travel Guide will prove the perfect traveling companion.

As well as the famous picture-perfect Halong Bay, Vietnam has a wealth of other natural beauty to savor. Enjoy spectacular vistas from the norths dramatic mountains at Sapa, laze on long stretches of pristine, palm-fringed sands by an azure sea on the east coast, and inland, trek through the rugged jungle of the cool central highlands. Meanwhile, in the south, watch the rich birdlife and bucolic rural landscape of the Mekong Delta from a river boat, or chill out offshore on the remote and beautiful Con Dao Islands. The human landscape is no less varied. Explore the ancient temples and pagodas dotting the capital Hanoi, try a steaming bowl of pho noodles at a bustling night market, or stroll the moped-clogged streets of Ho Chi Minh City with its imposing French-Colonial architecture. Between the two main cities lie the countrys most spellbinding historic sites that include the grand ancient capital of Hue, reminders of the Vietnam War in the Demiliatrized Zone, the weathered ancient Cham temples rising from the jungle at My Son, and pretty, pastel-colored French and Chinese buildings in Hoi An.

Weve picked out themes and planned itineraries to whet your appetite, broken the country down into easily navigable chapters, and created colorful, comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. Whether youre staying for a week, a month, or longer, this Eyewitness guide will ensure that you see the very best the country has to offer. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Vietnam.

Thac Ban Gioc, Cao Bang , Vietnams largest waterfall.

Vendor of tropical fruit in Hoi An Old Town.

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With its rich history, diverse cultures, dynamic and charming cities, and stunning landscapes, Vietnam offers a wealth of sights and experiences. Superb food and welcoming people add to the many reasons to visit.

t In Vietnams stunning national parks you can explore the coastline, mountains, rivers, and jungles, and the worlds biggest cave. Look out for birds, elephants, monkeys, deer, dolphins, and other wildlife.

Discover Reasons to Love Vietnam

t Try a steaming bowl of pho noodles at one of the many street food spots in Hanoi. Goi cuon (spring rolls), banh thom (shrimp patties) and banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) are other delicious, healthy staples.

Discover Reasons to Love Vietnam

Cruise in Halong Bay

t Take a boat trip around the steep, jungle-covered limestone outcrops jutting out of an azure sea in one of the most beautiful bays in

Discover Reasons to Love Vietnam

River Boat Trip through Paddy Fields

t Chug gently up the Mekong River on a boat from Nam Binh to Tam Coc, traversing verdant rice paddies with a backdrop of dramatic karst mountains.

Discover Reasons to Love Vietnam

Colonial Architecture in Ho Chi Minh City

t Stroll along the grand streets of Vietnams capital, where Frances legacy of imposing colonial buildings is stamped on a varied and vibrant cityscape.

Discover Reasons to Love Vietnam

Hoi An

t Wander or cycle through the narrow streets of the beautiful, laid-back historic town of past well-preserved traditional Chinese and French architecture.