Vietnam, a name too long associated with the horrors of war, has finally won its last battle – to capture the imagination of the traveling public. Elegant Hanoi now vies with its dynamic sister, Ho Chi Minh City (still fondly called Saigon by the locals), for the attention of visitors drawn by the eclectic mix of old and new.

More modern than other Vietnamese cities, Ho Chi Minh City has also retained its French colonial influences. Its vibrancy is maintained by the ever-entrepreneurial Saigonese who have taken the government reforms to heart and re-embraced the capitalist ethic with unrestrained enthusiasm. The streets are jam-packed with mopeds and scooters, often carrying whole families. The markets are chaotically busy.

Elsewhere, the scenes are timeless. Early morning on the Mekong Delta brings the daily floating markets where fruit and vegetables are peddled. Everywhere the green patchwork of rice paddies stretches into the distance, broken only by the silhouette of water buffalo and conical-hatted farm workers bending down to tend the young plants.

The soaring mountains in the north of the country tower over tiny villages where life continues much as it has done for centuries, with traditional costumes still proudly worn. Old French hill stations survive throughout the country offering welcome respite from the heat of the plains below. And, in the South China Sea, the 3000 chalk islands in Ha Long Bay are not to be missed.

The ancient former imperial capital, Hue, takes you back to a time of concubines and eunuchs. In every town, young women wearing the simple but feminine national dress, the Ao Dai, weave their way through the traffic at the controls of a motorbike.

Only in Vietnam could the past and the present be encapsulated so perfectly.

	General Information:
	Location: South-East Asia Time: GMT + 7 Area: 329,247 sq km (127,123 sq miles) Population: 83.6 million (UN estimate 2005) Population Density: 253.9 per sq km Capital: Hanoi; Population: 3.08 million (official estimate 2004) Geography: Vietnam shares borders to the north with the People’s Republic of China and to the west with Laos and Cambodia. The South China Sea lies to the east and south. The land is principally agricultural with a central tropical rainforest. Government: The present constitution, promulgated in 1992, asserts the political supremacy of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The 496-member National Assembly is responsible for legislation. The Assembly is elected every five years from candidates proposed by the CPV. Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers. The Assembly elects a president, who acts as head of state and also appoints a prime minister from among the members of the Assembly. The prime minister leads the Council of Ministers, the members of which hold executive power. Socialist republic since 1980. Gained independence from France in 1954. Head of State: President Nguyen Minh Triet since 2006 Head of Government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung since 2006 Recent history: Reforms have resulted in rapid economic growth in the last decade but there has been no parallel development in the country’s political environment: the Communist Party has no intention of relaxing its hold on political power for the time being. The present constitution, promulgated in 1992, asserts the political supremacy of the Communist Party of Vietnam. In April 2001, the party chose a new Secretary General in Nong Duc Manh, who consequently began a crackdown on dissident and ‘unauthorised’ literature. Nong is one of the triumvirate that now governs Vietnam, along with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and President Nguyen Minh Triet. The latter two were appointed in June 2006. Both hail from southern Vietnam, meaning this is the first time two southerners have led the country since 1975. Language: Vietnamese is the official language. English, French, Chinese and occasionally Russian and German are spoken Religion: Buddhist majority. There are also Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Caodaist and Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) minorities. Social Conventions: Handshaking and a vocal greeting is normal. Clothing should be kept simple, informal and discreet. Avoid shorts if possible as they are usually only worn by children. Footwear should be removed when entering Buddhist pagodas. Vietnamese people should not be touched on the head. Photography: There are restrictions at ports, airports and harbours, and in similar areas elsewhere. It is courteous to ask permission first before taking photographs of people. Electricity: 220/110 volts AC, 50Hz; plugs are mostly flat pin.

Travel Advice

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Vietnam have resulted in a small number of human fatalities. Travelers should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where they may come into close contact with wild or caged birds; and ensure poultry dishes are thoroughly cooked.

Cases of Dengue Fever have doubled in the south of Vietnam in 2006.

Most visits to Vietnam are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Serious or violent crimes against foreigners in Vietnam are rare, but travelers should remain vigilant for petty or opportunistic theft.

Typhoons commonly occur in Vietnam between June and December.

From 15 October – 30 November 2006, holders of category D visas for Vietnam will not be granted entry to the country. Holders of other categories of visa will not be affected. Travelers should check your visa carefully before traveling to Vietnam.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Tel: (0845) 850 2829

Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State

Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel