Intro

Vietnam is one of the most delightful places in south-east Asia,a land of idyllic beaches, tranquil bays, coral islands,spectacular mountains, valleys and primal forests, and is home to a warm-hearted and hospitable people. The striking and varied landscapes, from high rolling hills to undeveloped beaches, are a traveller's paradise and cover a wide range of climates. There is plenty to see from a long, varied history, and the French colonial inheritance is visible in many ways, not least in a serious interest in food.

Vietnam consists of two river deltas, the Red River in the north (Tonking) and the Mekong in the south, and these are connected by a narrow, hilly coastal strip (Annam) about 800km long. Much of the country is very fertile, and it has attracted a succession of invaders, including the Chinese, Japanese and French. Over the last few years Vietnam has opened its doors voluntarily to outsiders. Private initiatives and businesses are being encouraged (although still often drowned in red tape), and tourism is high on the agenda for development. Almost all travel restrictions have been dropped, and we can now visit the whole length of the country.