Vietnam - General Information

We, a family of 3, (myself, husband and teenage daughter) needed a break and I was just going through various destinations which were in my mind since long, and this was the first one on the list - VIETNAM..

I had thought of Vietnam since December 2019, when Vietjet Airlines launched its operations in India in economy range, one of the whatsapp groups had a post about its beauty,  A321 AIRBUS..I was about to book the tickets in March 2020 and ... Covid 19 lockdown, fear and anxiety struck. Lucky I was!!! I didn't lock my money that time..

3 years later.. again Vietjet Airlines came up with a bang to revive Vietnam's travel and tourism industry with flights from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bengluru to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam (Northen Vietnam), Ho chi Minh city - commercial capital (Southern city Saigon), Da nang (Central Vietnam). This ignited a thought in mind to visit this country. 

And gathered the General Information about the country..I went through its official website, https://vietnam.travel/ and our own Google baba 😀 and then some of the blogs and Tripadvisor 

Then browsed some of the Tour packages providers from India as well as Vietnam. In India its not very common and popular destination like, other Asian countries like Thailand, Singapore or Malaysia. But definately an upcoming one considering the cheap flights and ease in getting E-visa online, and on the top of it cheaper destination with natural beauty and wonderful, helpful people. 

Vietnam is 1.5 hr ahead of (IST) Indian time zone.

Vietnam is Unique.. It has beaches, islands, bays, rivers, mountains and peaks, hills, cultural centres, man made marvels, Caves, Highlands, rice fields, French architecture, Buddhist temples, Chinese influence and what not.. all in one package.

What used to fascinate me was its S shape map with coast line all along its eastern side. 

It is broadly classified into three narrow regions, namely

1. Southern Vietnam - 

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) as the main location and surrounding attractions, Metropolitan city, commercial capital with modern archetecture with natural surrounding, beaches, islands.

2. Central Vietnam - 

Da nang as well connected international airport, which has  most luxurious resorts, best beaches, with closeness to World famous Unesco site, Hoi An’s Ancient Town and Golden Bridge nearby. Central Vietnam glows in colourful lanterns amazingly.

3. Northen Vietnam - 

Along the banks of the Red River lies Hanoi, Capital city of Vietnam, with  Old Quarter, beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and classic colonial architecture, excellent museums and art galleries, northern streetfood, weekend night market with a feel of safety and security even at the night hours. 

Easily approachable from Hanoi, fairy tale landscape of Ninh Binh, with paddy fields, and rowboats will bring you on a mesmerising journey through river caves. 

A luxurious cruise on Halong Bay to soak in the sight of thousands of islets and the bay’s deep emerald green waters.

Photo Courtecy - Vietnam Travel Advisor