Vietnam Adventure

From all we’d read before we left, we understood that Vietnam is rapidly going places .  The economy is developing , the people are happy and clever and the food is amazing.  We knew that before we left as we have enjoyed the food for years.  What we found was a country which is poor in parts, but not dirty or squalid, an amazingly varied landscape, friendly people and a safe environment to explore.  The country is heavily influenced by its history and its position, with Hindu  influences in the south to Chinese in the north, from its French colonial days (almost 100 years of occupation) and reminders of the American conflict everywhere.

Hanoi in the north has much French legacy, the historic old port of Hoi An has its pretty streets and buildings (UNESCO protected) and in the south, Saigon, which has become a major trading and financial hub for the region is busy and has an eclectic mix of cuisines, from baguettes sold on street corners to traditional pho (soup) and regional foods, all of it fresh and tasty.

We have much to thank Kate, at “Vietnam on Line” , a travel specialist in Adelaide, for in providing lots of information and ensuring that we got the best deals in the best hotels (excluding the big internationals).  The company puts together modules which you can mix and match, add to or not, giving a great experience with no hassle.  Their website is at:

www.vietnamonline.com.au