Vietnam

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Vietnam Overviews

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Vietnam Overview | History | Weather

Vietnam Overview

Hanging off the bottom of China and wrapped around Laos and Cambodia with a long China Sea coastline, Vietnam is an up-and-coming Southeast Asian destination. Perhaps better known for the Vietnam War that ravaged the country in the 1960s and ‘70s than its diverse tourist attractions, the country is fast becoming a firm favourite on the Asia tourist circuit and has moved on both politically and economically.

Most beaches are in the Vietnamese south and are best visited early in the year outside the monsoon seasons. China, My Khe, Mui Ne, and Hon Chong beaches are among the most popular and have good facilities and transport options. The Mekong Delta is another wonderful facet of Vietnam and is within easy reach of Hoh Chi Minh, while the mountainous northern interior near Hanoi offers some superb trekking and hiking.

Every type of accommodation is available in Vietnam’s main cities and beach resorts, and choices are also often good in the larger villages and rural spots. Prices and service are often better than those found in neighbouring countries, and more and more mid-range and high-end hotels are springing up all the time. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City easily have the best hotel options, which generally include internet and extras such as spa treatments and sightseeing tours as standard.

History

Mongol invaders were continually repelled between 1255 and 1285, yet Vietnam remained independent until well into the 19^th century until it was colonised by the French. At this time the Nguyễn dynasty’s power was diminishing in the capital of the time, Hue.

Tourism is today a significant earner for Vietnam and the number of tourists visiting the country has been rising since the 1990s. Significant funds have gone into building a tourist infrastructure and improving facilities at the beaches.

Weather

Vietnam has a subtropical climate and spans a lengthy longitude. Visitors thus experiences different climatic conditions depending on whether they are in the north, central or southern regions.

Typically, southern Vietnam is very hot and humid and has a more distinct tropical climate than the central and northern parts of the country. Although temperatures don’t rank much above 35°C, the humidity can be a killer, particularly in the Mekong Delta. The wet (monsoon) season in the south is between May/June to October/November and this is not an ideal time to visit. In addition, the south can also sometimes see two monsoons in a given year.

The central regions have an amalgamation of weather with high humidity and a wet season in the summer. Visitors should plan ahead and avoid the monsoon seasons in the south as typhoons often roll in from the South China Sea, wreaking havoc along the coastline.