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For a country that is only slightly larger than Italy, Vietnam possesses an immense geographical and cultural diversity. Its varied climate and landscape range from four seasons in the mountainous north to year-round tropical temperatures in the lush south.

Vietnam's cultural mix stems from its intriguing history dating back more than 4,000 years. Its historical legacy includes a thousand years of Chinese occupation, which has left a very strong foreign cultural influence, evident in the pagodas, local cuisine, and continuing practice of Confucianism. The Cham civilization, which blossomed in the central region in the 14th century, has left many ancient Hindu-like temples, which are still visited today. Vietnam's regal past can be revisited in the former capital city of Hue, where the Citadel and Royal Tombs represent an era of cultural renaissance. The French colonial legacy is still evident in many parts of Vietnam, as illustrated by the distinctive yellow pastel-colored architecture of its villas and administrative buildings.

The people, bound in a culture that melds European and Maori ancestry, are resourceful, helpful and overwhelmingly friendly.

In Vietnam you can discover unspoiled beaches along the coastline stretching 3,200km north to south and mountainous regions where hill tribe people continue to live isolated from mainstream society. Pastoral landscapes of lush rice paddies and fresh vegetation, offer ample opportunities to observe the agrarian lifestyle of eighty percent of Vietnam's population. Today, most of the country remains relatively unchanged although in major cities you will discover a modern infrastructure and technology. Today, visitors can choose to travel at various levels of comfort, staying in anything between budget to deluxe accommodation, using public or private transportation, and dining local style or in the finer Vietnamese and international restaurants. If you are interested in cultural exploration, picturesque landscapes, warm hospitality, or an adventure of a lifetime - Vietnam is your destination!

Weather:
The South: Wet May and September to November, Wettest from June to August , Dry December to April.
The hottest and most humid time is from the end of February to May.

The Central Coast Dry from May to October Wet from December to February.

The Highland Areas Are significantly cooler than the lowlands, and temperatures can get down to freezing in winter.

The North Cool, damp winters November to April, Hot summers May to October.

There is the possibility of typhoons between July and November, affecting the north and central areas.

Avoid Travel Travellers should take the Tet New Year festival (late January or early February) into account when planning a trip. Travel (including international travel) becomes very difficult, hotels are full and many services close down for at least a week and possibly a lot longer.

Entry Requirements: Visa required

Dress: The main thing to consider is the weather, as it can be freezing cold in the mountainous North and at the same time hot and humid on the Central Coast. If you are travelling in the North or the Central Highlands during the winter months definitely bring jeans and a warm coat or sweater. It seems that it is always raining somewhere in Vietnam, so lightweight rain gear is essential.

In the hot months, dress cool but conservative. Many Vietnamese cannot understand why foreigners insist on wearing shorts, tank tops and sleeveless T-shirts when they have the money to dress well. For the Vietnamese, appearance is very important, so if you are dealing with an official of any rank make sure you are dressed appropriately.

Food/Restaurants: Vietnam has a wide range of cuisine available and the main restaurants are of an excellent standard. Choices range from English, French, Thai, Malay, Chinese, Indian/Asian as well as Vietnamese and many others. The main restaurants accept major credit cards.

Shopping: There is surprising number of products to buy in Vietnam include rattan and bamboo products, lacquer ware, silk, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewellery, antique watches, paintings and copies of famous paintings are worth buying in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping to avoid having to carry all the goodies for the rest of the trip but Hoi An in the centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to look for souvenirs. Women and men can have their clothes (traditional Vietnamese hand-made silk dresses, kimonos, embroideries, etc) custom tailored in a day or two. Most shops are open from 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Markets begin at 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Transportation: International Airports are located at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The most usual travel routes to Vietnam are from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila and Singapore. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is 45 km (28 miles) from Hanoi. Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is 7km (4.5 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City. Buses and a small number of taxis are available. The main mode of transport for both centres particularly in the south is predominantly mopeds, bikes and cyclo's, taxi's and private owned cars come a close second. Hanoi is also serviced by a rail network.

Health risks: Malaria, Dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are common in many parts of Vietnam. Care should be taken to avoid mosquito bites. Typhoid is a problem in the Mekong Delta

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