Insight Guides - Insight Guides: Explore Vietnam

How To Use This E-Book

This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With top-quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the worlds most exciting destinations.

Best Routes

The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destinations many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights, and there are also excursions for those who want to extend their visit outside the city. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.

We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments options are shown in the Food and Drink box at the end of each tour.

Introduction

The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more, while a succinct history timeline highlights the key events over the centuries.

Directory

Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with a clearly organised AZ of practical information, our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafs and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings, plus a handy language guide and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.

Getting around the e-book

In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

Youll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

2016 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

Table of Contents

Recommended Routes For...

Art & architecture

Whether its ancient Vietnamese temples, Chinese shop houses or French colonial villas, great architecture is everywhere, from HCMC ().

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Beachcombing

Vietnams coastline is extensive, and while most cities on travellers itineraries have a beachfront, offer visitors the best of Vietnams sunbathing and water sports.

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Champa Kingdom

The Champa Kingdom controlled all of central Vietnam for over a century. Explore their temple ruins, ancient citadels, refined sculptures and thriving modern culture in .

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Cuisine

Vietnamese cuisine is deservedly the subject of much international attention. Be sure to visit Hanoi () for the best selection of cuisine.

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Hill tribes

Vietnam has a vast, mountainous interior inhabited by 54 recognised ethnic minorities. Meet some of them and learn about their traditional lifestyles on .

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Modern Vietnam

Vietnam has undergone a tremendous growth spurt over the last decade. Partake in urban Vietnams nightlife, shopping and entertainment in HCMC ().

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Outdoors

Ecotourism is the least developed aspect of Vietnams tourism industry, which is a surprise given its beautiful landscapes. Get your fill of the countrys natural splendours in .

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

War history

Vietnam has been caught up in conflict during most of the nations history. The last war with America is still the one on most peoples minds. Get a glimpse into the past on .

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Explore Vietnam

21st-century Vietnam is thriving economically and as a tourist destination thanks to freedoms introduced over the past three decades. Visitors are flocking here to explore the countrys infamous history, diverse culture and modern dynamism.

Modern yet traditional, communist yet capitalist, cosmopolitan yet quaint calling Vietnam diverse doesnt even begin to tell the story. Its associations with war may still be present, but today the tunnels are tourist traps, the tanks are displayed in museums and the divisions are all but healed.

The sheer range of landscapes and attractions makes Vietnam something of a challenge. The long, sandy beaches and the turquoise seas are tempting, but then so are its forested mountains and verdant countryside. Vietnamese cities are dynamic, full of life and colour. Todays ruling communist government still keeps a tight reign on cultural and political affairs, and the sheer pace of development means major cities are packed to bursting point. Despite this, there has never been a better time to visit Vietnam as much of the progress is aimed at attracting tourism. In the three decades since Vietnam first began to open up to the outside world, great changes have been made. Standards of living have risen dramatically, communications have improved and most of the country is now accessible.