 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.
With its sublime beaches, many people forego the rest of Vietnam. Yet the vibrancy of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Cityare addictive. Other major tourist destinations include Da Lat, Nha Trang, Hue, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta.
Vietnam has a rich and varied history, much of which has been tumultuous, usually at the hands of outsiders. As such, there is a fabulous wealth of temples and palaces scattered around the towns, cities and countryside.
Although not the capital, Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) in the south of Vietnam is the largest and liveliest city, featuring busy street markets, cafés, and bars that coincide nicely with ancient pagodas, temples and shrines. Lying in the far north is Hanoi, the capital, which has a cooler climate than Ho Chi Minh and also boasts many fantastic sights.
Hue lies roughly midway between the two main cities on the Perfume River and is one of the most popular smaller towns on the tourist trail, while nearby Hoi An is another must-see with its easy-on-the-eye ancient architecture.
 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
Vietnam is no stranger to war, even before the Americans tried to keep the northern communists from taking the south. The Chinese, Japanese and French have all occupied parts of the country at one time or another.
Vietnam’s history goes back to around 700 BC. The country was largely under the control of Chinese-based dynasties between 111 BC until 938 AD, after which Vietnam regained independence.
 Mongol invaders were continually repelled between 1255 and 1285, yet Vietnam remained independent until well into the 19th century until it was colonised by the French. At this time the Nguyá»?n dynasty’s power was diminishing in the capital of the time, Hue.
The Japanese briefly occupied Vietnam during WWII, after they had expelled the French. France tried to continue to rule after the war, but they failed and the country was split under the Geneva Accords with the premise that it would be reunited democratically.
The partitioning ultimately led to the Vietnam War, civil war, and Cold War assignations. The Soviet Union and People's Republic of China backed the communist North while the US supported the South. The war spanned the early 60s into the 1970s. After millions of Vietnamese deaths and thousands of dead American soldiers, along with unrest at home, the Americans withdrew in 1973 with Saigon falling to the North in 1975.
After reunification Vietnam isolated itself further due to its continued part in the Cold War and the subsequent invasion of Cambodia. It wasn’t until 1986 that the Communists lightened their political and economic agenda and the country began to prosper.
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.
In stark contrast, the north has four seasons. Here it is hot and dry for most of the year, apart from November to February when it is nice and cool on high ground. Temperatures in Hanoi in the winter can dip as low as 15°C, while April and May are usually hotter than places in the south.
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.
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