TRAVEL GUIDE 2017

VIETNAM

HANOI

SAPA

HALONG BAY

HUE

HOI AN

HO CHI MINH CITY

VIETNAM INSIDER FROM HEALTH HINTS TO CULTURAL NO-NOS

NHA TRANG

The basics Population: 92 million Capital: Hanoi

While you’re there, please don’t… • give handkerchiefs, black items or yellow flowers as a gift. • take pictures of military installations, buildings or personnel. This is considered a breach of national security. • sit with your feet pointing towards people. Before you go, read … Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes – published in 2010, this has been described as the first “great” novel about the Vietnam War. Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X Pham – the author left Vietnam as a “boat person” and grew up in California. This book is about his return to his home country. Before you go, watch … Cyclo (Xich lo) – from the Vietnamese director of The Scent of Green Papaya , a film about an 18-year-old bicycle-taxi driver trying to make a living. The Quiet American – it’s a pale imitation of Graham Greene’s famous book, but there are some great scenes of Vietnam. And it has Michael Caine in it. They said it “Rice and fish are as inseparable as mother and child.” – Vietnamese proverb “If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.” – Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh

Religion: Vietnam is a multi-religious state. The majority of Vietnamese identify with Buddhism, but Taoism, Confucianism and Catholicism are also practiced. Emergency numbers: 113 (police), 114 (fire), 115 (ambulance) The key dates 16 February: Tet Nguyen Dan. Also known as the Vietnamese New Year or Tet. Celebrations usually go on for three to six days. The dates vary from year to year. 30 April: Victory Day. Celebrates the fall of Saigon and the reunification of Vietnam in the year of 1975. The hot spots Popular destinations include Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Sapa, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang and the Mekong Delta. Among the eight World Heritage Sites are Halong Bay and the monuments of Hué Monuments. Some itinerary ideas • Mekong Delta: Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho – Cu Chi Tunnels – Ben Tre • Beaches: Mui Ne – Nha Trang – Hoi An – Da Nang • The North: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Sapa How to stay healthy • Typhoons and heavy rain during the wet season (June- December) can cause flooding and landslides. • Traffic accidents are very common. Buckle up, if you can, and tell your driver to slow down if necessary. • Choose street-food vendors as wisely as you can – there have been cases recently of travellers falling ill from contaminated food.

“If necessity is the mother of invention, then the Vietnamese should win top prize …” – journalist Jane Lasky

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TRAVELGUIDE2017