Vietnam

Bordering China to the north and Laos and Cambodia to the west, Vietnam makes a great base to explore Southeast Asia. Divided into 64 provinces and cities and boasting a population of over 85 million, Vietnam is an enchanting country - a land of contrast and cultural legend, which captivates visitors with its magnificent scenery, geographical diversity and friendly people. Tourists can explore the cool romantic central highlands – including Dalat famous for its French influence and architecture, the vibrant commercial centre of Ho Chi Minh and the fertile green Red River Delta in the north where the historic capital Hanoi is located. The scenes encountered in the country remain unchanged throughout the ages. Vendors selling their locally produced fruit and vegetables from small boats cruising throughout the Mekong Delta, muddy water buffalo and their master’s till verdant rice fields, while children play beneath swaying palms. Cities and towns bustle with motorbike and cyclo traffic, weaving past traditional ox-carts carrying the harvest. Yet Vietnam is on the move, charging into the new millennium with a determination and an openness not seen for generations. And while modern comforts are available all throughout the country, a balance has been preserved with the past like it has in few other places.