Vietnam Tour Packages

History of Vietnam

Stretched along the eastern coast of Southeast Asia, Vietnam holds a rich history that has a significant effect on the territorial land of the country. The country was once ruled by the colonial powers of the French from 1800 to 1954 which can be witnessed through colonial monuments and buildings that reflect the standard of French architecture. Being under the rule of some of the biggest dynasties of Southeast Asia such as the Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty, the country has gone through various chaotic periods of wars. Due to this the northern part is known as the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the southern part as the Republic of Vietnam. Yue or Viet are known to be the oldest inhabitants of this region who used to live along the Red River of Vietnam. According to the legends, the primary ruler of Vietnam is believed to be the Chinese named De Minh who has married with an immortal fairy of the mountains.

Geography and Climate

Spread across 331,690 sq km of land, the country offers one of the most diverse landscapes with 80% of the total land being covered with dense forest and hilly areas. With an elevation range from sea level to 10,315 ft, the country includes diverse climatic conditions. The southern part of the country belongs to tropical climatic conditions with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. Similarly, northern Vietnam seems to have a freeing temperature that can go as low as -6 degrees Celsius. The Mekong River is the largest river in the county and highly affects the rate of rice production.

People and Culture

Viet also known as Kinh people are the oldest inhabitants and are the dominant tribes of this region accounting for more than 85% of the total population of the country. A few of the remaining also belong to the group of people that have migrated from China. These mixtures of religion and ethnic groups highly contribute to the overall culture and tradition of the country that has been followed from the ages. The person shows great respect for the ancestors of the community. Hospitality is a major part of their cultural tradition and can be witnessed in every corner of the country. Handwork, honesty, and friendliness are what describe the nature of the Vietnamese people. While agriculture is the main source of livelihood, the people are also known for their arts and crafts of wooden and bamboo carvings that showcase the rich culture of Vietnam.

Food and Cuisines

Vietnam's cuisines are known to offer some of the best food dishes that are admired worldwide for their unique taste and texture. Similar to that of Thailand, Vietnam cuisine food is enriched with sweet and sour flavours along with a mixture of local herbs and spices. Being under the rule of the French colonial power during the 19th and 20th centuries, some of the dishes also have the royal touch of French cuisine. Fish and Beef are some of the key ingredients and are served in various ways with a variety of side dishes. Some of the popular food dishes of Vietnamese cuisine include Cao Lau, Banh Mi, Pho, Bun Bo Hue and many more.

Festival

The festivals of Vietnam offer colourful and vibrant experiences most of which are celebrated with musical activities events, dance forms and energetic activities. Similar to other neighbouring countries, Vietnam also follows the lunar calendar and therefore shares similar festivals just as Thailand, China and Laos. With home to people from various cultural backgrounds, the country celebrates a wide range of festivals that are celebrated throughout the year and attract tourists from all over the world. Lim Festival, Lunar, Hung Kings Temple Festival, Ghost Festival, and Ooc Om Boc are some of the major festivals of the country.

Visa and Formalities

Tourists planning to visit Vietnam need to acquire visas which are mostly granted for a period of 90 days. Tourists can also opt for an E-Visa though various agencies of the country or local tour operators.