Vietnam is a fascinating place to visit. It is rich in history and culture. Much of Vietnam’s history is fraught with strife, colonization and war. Even before the Americans arrived on her shores, Vietnam was invaded and occupied by China at least four times. The resilient people of Vietnam have been able to fight off invaders from France and Japan as well.

1. The Capitol City of Hanoi

Hanoi can boast being the capitol of Vietnam for nearly one thousand years. It is considered the cultural center and every dynasty that has ever ruled has left their mark. Some of the relics didn’t survive, but the city is chock full of historical monuments and a wealth of culture to make any visit to Vietnam incomplete without visiting this ancient city. The center of commerce is the Red River where you can see rice paddies stretching as far as the eye can see. When visiting Hanoi, take a tour of one of the hundreds of temples and pagodas to get a real feel for the Vietnamese culture.

2. Ho Chi Minh City Formerly Saigon

Located near the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City has the distinction of being the largest city in Vietnam. Before the 17th century, it was the chief port of the Cambodians before Vietnam annexed it. When the American’s left the conflict in Vietnam, the city of Saigon was merged with the province of Gia Dinh and given the name of Ho Chi Minh City. Citizens and visitors alike still call this city by the name of Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City is home to more than nine million people and is said to be the largest of any metropolitan area in Indochina.

Visitors will enjoy the flamboyant buildings and boulevards built by the French when they occupied the area. Be sure you take a tour of the architectural wonders of City Theater, Reunification Hall and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

3. Halong Bay-A Haven for Beach Enthusiasts

For those looking for a more relaxing vacation sitting along the shoreline, then Halong Bay is the area to visit. The bay is home to more than 1900 islands made of monolithic limestone. The islands are rich with vegetation and many of the isles rise majestically from the ocean. You will find a number of the islands have facilities for tourists such as hotels and beaches where you can frolic in the clear water and leave your cares behind.