Vietnam is a tropical land of outgoing people, bustling capitalist-oriented cities, heavenly beaches, brilliant green rice paddies and lush emerald rainforests. Like the rest of Indochina (including Laos and Cambodia), Vietnam is a former French colony and has been independent since 1954 – when the French Foreign Legion suffered a telling blow at Dien Bien Phu. Vietnam still retains a strong French cultural influence, with wide boulevards, magnificent Belle Époque architecture, fresh baguettes sold on every corner, good espresso and fine Bordeaux at open air cafes widely available.
The Vietnamese are much closer culturally to China, with Confucian ethics valuing age, education and hard work. The Vietnam War has long since been forgotten and the people are exceedingly warm and hospitable. The nation features temples, historic ports, a bevy of unspoilt tropical islands, museums, art, and over 50 hill tribes. From the big cities to the rice bowl of the south, Vietnam has it all.