In a world that is constantly integrating and becoming homogenised, Vietnam stands out as a unique and decidedly exotic destination. Long stigmatised for its conduct during the American War, Vietnam is emerging as one of the more popular Asian spots to visit, encouraging a burgeoning hospitality industry. With a rapidly growing resort and hotel industry come the inescapable pains that accompany such growth. Furiously trying to stay ahead of infrastructure and manpower needs, the country is rapidly advancing in all areas to support the influx of visitors. Vietnam’s freshness on the international holiday scene also helps to soften any problems that come about due to the clash of this former rigidly communist nation with today’s modern western capitalistic culture.
There’s no question that Vietnam’s beaches are its major draw, and form the foundation of its tourism industry. The white, pristine sands of Vietnam’s southern beaches are among the best in the world. Resorts are springing up all over the region to serve the growing throngs flocking there. Visitors will find the typical accruements one would expect in beach cities, as the streets come alive at night with restaurants, nightclubs and bars providing food, drink and lively entertainment.
Don’t forget the other gems Vietnam offers. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi offer a fascinating big city vibe, with lots of outdoor markets, shopping locales, and cultural sights to enjoy. Due to its proximity to China and the other southeast Asian cultures, Vietnam boasts many influences in its food, architecture and religious cultivations. When travelling to Vietnam, you can expect the northern regions to be a bit cooler than the tropical south. The Mekong Delta, fabled for so many settings of the war, is now a bucolic, yet dynamic ecosystem that affords visitors a chance to admire the tremendous beauty of the water ways, yet also an opportunity to observe the river culture of its inhabitants, who live their lives much as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago.
Make no mistake about it. Vietnam is one of the few remaining enigmas of the modern world, the more so as it seeks to shed its stodgy totalitarian past and emerge as a full blown modern state. Be sure to visit while the changing dynamics are still there to be observed and fascinated by.