Archaeological excavations indicate that Vietnam was inhabited as early as the Paleolithic age. The ancient Vietnamese nation was annexed by China in the 2nd century BC, which subsequently made Vietnam a division of China for over a millennium. The first independent monarchy emerged in the 10th century AD. This paved the way for successive imperial dynasties as the nation expanded geographically southward until the Indochina Peninsula was colonised by the French in the mid-19th century. Modern Vietnam was born upon the Declaration of Independence from France in 1945. Following Vietnamese victory against the French in the First Indochina War, which ended in 1954, the nation was divided into two rival states: communist North and anti-communist South. Conflicts intensified in the Vietnam War, which saw extensive US intervention in support of South Vietnam and ended with North Vietnamese victory in 1975.
Immerse yourself in the highlights of Vietnam on this in-depth tour of the country. Enjoy hearty bowls of pho in Hanoi, snorkel in turquoise waters in Nha Trang and cruise through the majestic limestone caves in Halong Bay. Explore the vibrant and stunning Hoi An, before experiencing the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. Get off the beaten track in the Mekong Delta as you visit local villages and witness the beauty of the Vietnamese countryside. We guarantee Vietnam is a country you will never forget!
Due to differences in latitude and the marked variety in topographical relief, Vietnam's climate tends to vary considerably for each region. During the winter or dry season, extending roughly from November to April, the monsoon winds usually blow from the northeast along the Chinese coast and across the Gulf of Tonkin, picking up considerable moisture. The average annual temperature is generally higher in the plains than in the mountains, especially in southern Vietnam compared to the north. Temperatures vary less in the southern plains around Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, ranging from between 21 and 35 °C (69.8 and 95.0 °F) over the year. In Hanoi and the surrounding areas of Red River Delta, the temperatures are much lower between 15 and 33 °C (59.0 and 91.4 °F). Seasonal variations in the mountains, plateaus, and the northernmost areas are much more dramatic, with temperatures varying from 3 °C (37.4 °F) in December and January to 37 °C (98.6 °F) in July and August. Vietnam receives high rates of precipitation in the form of rainfall with an average amount from 1,500 mm (59 in) to 2,000 mm (79 in) during the monsoon seasons; this often causes flooding, especially in the cities with poor drainage systems. The country is also affected by tropical depressions, tropical storms and typhoons. Vietnam is one of the world's countries most vulnerable to climate change, with 55% of its population living in low-elevation coastal areas.
There was a time when Vietnam was considered an inexpensive exotic tourist destination, but these days things have changed a lot. Hotel prices have increased and during the peak spring travel season the accommodation prices can rise as much as 60%. Also, there is no secret that the country has a shortage of international standard hotel rooms.
What is considered luxury in the Western world is considerably different in Vietnam. The rooms range from the standard fan-cooled room with iced-water to the ones equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV and a mini bar. Even the definition of a tourist resort is different here. It is not the all-inclusive accommodation units we are used to. These are some pretty landscaped hotels close to the beach that offer free breakfast. The rest of the meal and services can be purchased separately. Also, the newer the accommodation unit is the better the staying conditions are.
Much of Vietnam's modern transportation network can trace its roots to the French colonial era when it was used to facilitate the transportation of raw materials to its main ports. It was extensively expanded and modernised following the partition of Vietnam. Vietnam's road system includes national roads administered at the central level, provincial roads managed at the provincial level, district roads managed at the district level, urban roads managed by cities and towns and commune roads managed at the commune level. In 2010, Vietnam's road system had a total length of about 188,744 kilometres (117,280 mi) of which 93,535 kilometres (58,120 mi) are asphalt roads comprising national, provincial and district roads. The length of the national road system is about 15,370 kilometres (9,550 mi) with 15,085 kilometres (9,373 mi) of its length paved. The provincial road system has around 27,976 kilometres (17,383 mi) of paved roads while 50,474 kilometres (31,363 mi) district roads are paved.
Vietnam's culture has developed over the centuries from indigenous ancient ?ông S?n culture with wet rice cultivation as its economic base. Some elements of the nation's culture have Chinese origins, drawing on elements of Confucianism, Mah?y?na Buddhism and Taoism in its traditional political system and philosophy. Vietnamese society is structured around làng (ancestral villages); all Vietnamese mark a common ancestral anniversary on the tenth day of the third lunar month. The influence of Chinese culture such as the Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien and Hainanese cultures is more evident in the north where Buddhism is strongly entwined with popular culture. Despite this, there is are Chinatowns in the south, such as in Ch? L?n, where many Chinese have intermarried with Kinh and are indistinguishable among them. In the central and southern parts of Vietnam, traces of Champa and Khmer culture are evidenced through the remains of ruins, artefacts as well within their population as the successor of the ancient Sa Hu?nh culture. In recent centuries, Western cultures have become popular among recent generations of Vietnamese.
