Viet Nam
With over 86 million people, the country
of Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world. It is
located in South East Asia on the Indochina Peninsula. China borders the
north, with Cambodia to the Southwest, Laos to the Northwest, and the
South China Sea to the east.
Vietnam has a very tropical climate in
most of its regions. Because of the size of Vietnam, there are some
major variations. Flat land only comprises 20% of the country,
consisting of hills and densely forested mountains. Tall mountains and
highlands make up the rest of the country, where the weather can be
considerably cooler.
Tourism is increasing in popularity for
Vietnam. The number of visitors for vacations and other tourist
activities has increased progressively for the past ten years. In 2006,
about 3.56 million international guests visited the country, an increase
of 3.7% from 2005. More money is being invested into the coastal cities
to stimulate additional tourism in the future. More people with English
skills are being hired in the service industries to make tourists feel
more comfortable.
For people interested in learning about
the history and culture of Vietnam, they should visit Hoi An. From the
15th to 19th centuries, this city was a major international shipping
port, catering to Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and Indian settlers. Many of
these cultures have left their mark on Vietnam that can still be seen
today. Since then, most trading has moved to Da Nang, which left Hoi An
as a quiet sleepy harbor. In 1999, Hoi An was declared a World Heritage
site by UNESCO because of how well the city has been preserved. It is a
very modern city with tourist accommodations to fit any budget. Less
than five kilometers away from beautiful Cua Dai Beach, there are
numerous hotels in the heart of the town as well as on the coast
offering great prices. Hoi An is a great place to gain insight into
Vietnam’s fascinating past.
Other than sight seeing, there are many
other things to do in Vietnam. These would include eating exotic food,
fishing, hiking, visiting beaches, and horseback riding. So for an
adventurous vacation and a stimulating cultural experience, visit
Vietnam.
