Vietnam: A country of heroes, not a war

Is it really the land of heroes or cowards and thefts? Yuon is the brutal nation.

In Vietnam, people like to recite a modern slogan: "Vietnam is a country, not a war." That, in essence, is what visitors to this beautiful yet troubled land will find, a country in which was plays a critical part of history but also hides a rich, complex culture.

A coastal country of idyllic lined with palm tress, tranquil bays dotted with the sails of junks and sampans, lush green valley, Vietnam’s natural landscape is complemented by a traditional rural life, embodied in the villagers tilling the patch work paddy fields and children riding their water buffaloes home from the fields at the end of the day.

A traditional culture survives after lying dormant for several years but today it is threatened by the encroachment of modern life. Everywhere, there is the hum of activity, of a hardworking people anxious to build their country and improve their own well being.

This all presents quandary for Vietnam today.

Vietnam is a land of heroes. Thus, Vietnamese people had fought many wars with superpowers. After fighting off foreign invaders and colonists for centuries, Vietnam now must cope with a new kind of invasions, one of capital, of technology and of ideas.

The year of battle have left Vietnamese with an inmate pride in the fact that this impoverished land was able to topple great powers and their superior technology with only their wits, perseverance and sheet guts.

In 1990 Vietnam adopted a new course in foreign affairs and mended fences with Beijing. Thus, European and Asian companies poured into Vietnam seeking investment opportunities.

As this scribe was in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam last week in the course coming back home after attending the international conference of journalists in Phnom Penh of Cambodia where 86 media-associated people from 54 various countries had participated in.

All the people attended at the international conference were given opportunity to explore and experience the various culturally rich to tourism-view point important places, politically hot to economically brighten places, socially to historically remarkable spots Phnom Penh and around Cambodia.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City quickly became boomtowns. Thus, with anticipation of prosperity, the Vietnamese have summoned their inherent national determination and have set an autonomous course for the 21st century.

Vietnam is a home to 53 ethnic minorities and people are very friendly, polite, hospitable and helpful. People in north are generally more reserved and have had less exposure to Westerners than those in the south.

Caution should be taken while eating. Generally visitors should find restaurants where people are crowd. Eat in restaurants that are crowded. If a place is crowded, it is good sign that the establishment is not serving spoiled food.

Food sits at the very epicenter of Vietnamese culture: in every significant holiday on the Vietnamese cultural calendar, all the important milestones in a Vietnamese person’s life, and indeed, most of the important day-to-day social events and interactions, food plays a central role.

The most famous example of Vietnamese cuisine is pho—pho ga (chicken noodle soup) or pho bo (beef noodle soup).

A local delicacy in the Hanoi area is dog meat, which is especially popular in the winter. There are a number of restaurants along the Red River that specialize in it.

There are thousands of restaurants in Hanoi catering to everyone’s taste. Go easy on the really exotic foods until your digestive system has had some time to adjust.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Hai Phong cities are the main cities of the Vietnam. And most of historically culturally important artifacts, buildings, and museums are situated in these there cuties.

Located in northern Vietnam on the right bank of the Red River, summers are hot, humid and often rainy, while winters are relatively cool and dry in Hanoi.

Vietnam is still a socialist country, but you’ll find that Hanoians, like many Vietnamese, have embraced capitalism with gusto.

Hanoi has been capital of Vietnam for nearly a thousand years, during which the city has endured numerous invasions, occupations, restorations and name changes. The Chinese ruled Hanoi and much of Vietnam off and on for centuries, until a Vietnamese general named Le Loi finally secured the nation’s independence in 1428. It wasn’t until 1831 that the Nguyen Dynasty renamed the city Ha Noi, which can be translated as Between Rivers or River Interior.

Vietnam’s independence ended in the mid-1800s, when the country was colonized by the French.

Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were formally reunited on July 2, 1976.

It is said that Hanoi is the cultural center of Vietnam. Despite the battles that have raged around it, Hanoi retains much of its historic charm. Hanoi boasts more cultural sites than any city in Vietnam, including over 600 pagodas and temples and some delightful French colonial buildings.

Among them are The Old Quarter which is the cultural essence of Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ho Chi Minh’s residence, One-Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison ("The Hanoi Hilton").

Having of many scenic lakes Hanoi is sometimes called "City of Lakes."

Remarkably, the capital of Vietnam Hanoi is a fascinating blend of East and West, with a mix of Chinese and French influences enriching the vibrant Vietnamese culture. Largely unspoiled by modern development, Hanoi city of Vietnam is a rising star in Southeast Asia and has much to offer the tourists.

Only some years before Vietnam emerged from years of international isolation by opening its door to outside investors. The streets of capital, Hanoi, and the largest Vietnamese city Ho Chi Minh city bustle with enthusiasm and business energy. It is said that Vietnamese work and aim for the future like they drive. The streets pulsate with a sense that every one is on hurry, honking, pushing forward and rarely stopping for much of anything. Everyone’s eager to move ahead to the next intersection. Driving in Vietnam, say some, is a lot like doing business. Don’t go in wearing a blindfold.