Thursday

Visiting Vietnam: Visiting Halong Bay - Vietnam

By John Roney


Vietnam, that once war torn country of savagery and fighting, has blossomed into a great tourism location, with many cities and land forms to explore. The country itself is extremely tropical as far as climate goes. In the summertime it's been known to shower for many days straight, making it one of the wettest places on earth. The ground is lush and green from all of the moisture, and rice paddies dot the landscape. Thanks to the limestone base that makes up a lot of the country, water has made under ground caverns and lake valleys that are just about unique anyplace else on earth.

Da Nang. During the Vietnam War, American soldiers headed to Da Nang for R&R. The beaches were pristine then, and they are still clean and dazzling today. Da Nang is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world. While it does see its share of visitors, it largely remains a hidden treasure as some of its most memorable spots are tucked away, waiting to be discovered. Da Nang is not tourist-friendly in that its attractions are spread out and its best are unadvertised. Visit the Cham Museum, Cham Island, Ba Hill Na Station, and the Marble Mountains, and the wondrous My Son Sanctuary, which has been called the best spot to visit in Da Nang. This city is also less expensive than neighboring Hoi An and Ho Chi Min City.

My Son Museum. Located in quiet Quang Ngai, the museum commemorates the horrific My Lai Massacre of 1968. During this massacre, over 500 people, mostly women and children, were killed by American soldiers. As terrible as it is to witness this brutality, especially if you are American, the museum is a must-see with its detailed, graphic exhibits. The surrounding village is part of the museum, and its burned-out huts give a clearer picture of what happened better than any words. This is one of the most powerful and emotional destinations in the world.

It is a region with considerable biological diversity with ecosystems of salt water forests, tropical forests and coral reefs. It has also been acknowledged to be an important area of the beginnings of human existence at such archaeological sites as Xich Tho, Dong Mang, Thoi Gieng and Soi Nhu. It borders Cat Ba Island in the southwest and the East Sea to the east, with a coastline of 120km. Many of the islands resemble legendary characters and are given fantastic names such as Dragon Island, Man's Head Island and the Incense Burner, because of their shapes. The best way to view the islands is by boat and there are many cruisers offering day trips as well as 3 or 4 days full board. Trips by boat can be organised from Hanoi, where most tourists start their visit. The independent traveller can travel by bus from Hanoi to Haiphong City, followed by a journey by boat or bus-boat to Cat Ba. The sea around Halong Bay is warm and ideal for swimming although there are strong currents in places. The region is renowned for its inclement weather with storms during the summer and plenty of rain in the winter. The best time to visit is during the spring.

Both of these cities have centuries of history to explore and discover. French like boulevards lined with trees pop up sometimes, and it is not tricky to find find a non secular pagoda or statue; Vietnam has more of these structures than any other place around the planet. It's dazzling to stroll through these cities today. On the one hand, you see the traditional roots of a rich and various culture. On the other, you see fast expansion and growth and growth a booming economy. Don't miss out on Visiting Vietnam you wont regret it.




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