Vietnam – not the first time I am here and not the last. It is such an easy country to travel in. Many persons speak English and can understand what you like to have, whether you are in a shop or restaurant or a travel bureau. This time I went to the southern part of Vietnam and nearly everything was planned before I left China: the driver who would pick us up in the airport of Saigon/HoChiMinh City, the tour on the Mekong Delta, the city tour the very first day and also a few days in a beach resort. Everything went perfect!

The climate
Vietnam is a very lengthy country with more than 1600 km coastline. It matters what time you go where in Vietnam.. Go to the northern part in the months from April to June and also from September to December. If you visit the central of Vietnam, the best months are from February and March. The autumn from September to December are quite unpredictable. South of Vietnam has rain periods from May to October. December to April is warm but comfortable and considered the best times for traveling.

The Internet
The Internet makes it so easy being a tourist to Vietnam. You could try VietnamStay. Here you have great help – both with the bookings but also with information. There are suggestions for tours, attractions, travel services as well as promotions and maps. Sinh Café Travel is an other good place to get help and service with the holiday travel in Vietnam. They take care of flight booking, hotel reservation, car and bus rent, even offer tour guide for hire. The service also includes visa application and extensions as well as tour organization. They are very professional and very reliable. They have the office in the middle of HoChiMinh City, in the back package area. All taxi drivers know them. If you did not book tours on forehand, you can do it from day to day.

Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon or HoChiMinh City, yes both names are in use for this colorful city with a bustling life. There are more than 4 millions motorbikes and scooters in the city, so mind the traffic when you walk! You can stroll around in the city, pondering what to buy from all those many attracting shops – try not to be hit by a scooter (which often are transporting a whole family) or where and what to eat. There are so many possibilities. Or you can choose a city tour offered by one of the many travel agencies around in town. You will see the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the president, the French colonial structures with the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office, the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnants Museum. If you are fond of colonial buildings and beautiful architecture, HoChiMinh City is there for you!

Outside HoChiMinh City
There are several tours to be taken from HoChiMinh City, even you only have few days in Vietnam. You can go by bus or you can fly or you can take the train. For instance you can go to the Cu Chi tunnels. There you can see the tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence and freedom. In fact there was an underground city with factories, hospitals etc. etc. There are also short tours to religious places where you will have a chance to witness daily ceremonies.

Mekong Delta
Mekong, Mekong – it sounds like a long forgotten song, but it is the name of the river which makes southern Vietnam so extra interesting, because it covers such a big area, more than 40.000 square kilometers! In fact there are 9 rivers and 18 mill. people live here and have their income mostly from fishing and farming in the very fertile farming. There are many orchards with wonderful tropical fruits. Rice paddy fields stretch along the river. Going on a tour on Mekong you must try several sort of boats: ferries, motor boats, rowing boats, speed boats, depending on where you are – on the wide rivers or the narrow canals. Go on a motorboat for crushing the river and maybe passing the floating markets, for there are many bustling markets in the delta. Each boat usually sells one particular item, can be sugarcanes, pineapples or pumpkins. There are also small handicraft productions, making beautiful items to buy as well as to eat as for instance coconut candy, popcorn, rice cakes. This water world is fascinating!

Quieter days
If you want to combine traveling around with some days in more tranquil surroundings, then head to the beach. There are a variety of resorts on VietnamStay. You can find places, which offers your therapeutic treatments as mineral mud baths or spa with massage the Vietnamese way. At the beach resorts they often have bungalows or rooms with ocean view. There are daily buses from HoChiMing City to many of the beach resorts. The newest beach district in Vietnam, called Mui Ne, is only 4 hours bus drive from HoChiMinh City. White clean beaches, green water and blue sky. Everthing your heart desires! It has excellent conditions for wind and kite surfing, and you can sunbath, swim and play water sport. The resorts are also welcoming families with small children and have facilities for them.

The food
The Vietnamese food is extremely delicious. They use vegetables in an other way that in China, not so much oil or spices. The rolls are absolutely delicious. And so is the seafood! The grilled shrimps, the fresh crab, sautéed cockles, clams, tuna, sole – they serve it, it tastes wonderful!
Vietnam – it gives you all: beaches, temples, markets, and shops. Culture, history, art and best of all: kind people. Not the last time I go there.