Saigon, Mekong Delta, Vung Tau and Hanoi Tour--- 13 July-19 July 2012
Halong Bay
Vietnam is shaped like an elongated S strip along the eastern coast of Indochina Peninsula, facing South China Sea. It shares common borders with China, Laos and Cambodia.
Vietnam's topography varies from low, flat deltas in the south and north to hilly, mountainous ranges in the central, far-north and north-west.
Mountains and hills cover three quarters of its territory. Located in the north-west, Mt Phan Xi Pang is the highest mountain in Vietnam. It rises to 3143 m.
The two major rivers in Vietnam are the Red River in the north and Mekong River in the south. Red river flows past the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. Mekong River is also known as Nine Dragons River---a name given to the nine distributaries of the Mekong River.
The most populated areas are Red River Delta and Mekong Delta.
Red River Delta is a major agricultural area of Vietnam. Most of the land is devoted to rice cultivation.
Mekong Delta, as a region, lies immediately to the west of Ho Chi Minh City---the largest city and economic hub of Vietnam. Mekong Delta is famous as a large rice growing area.
Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice in the world after Thailand.
Vietnam's climate has a great deal difference from south to north. The north has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The south is hot, all year round.
The Vietnamese are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam. They are officially known as Kinh (京族) to distinguish them from other ethnic groups.
A Vietnamese pushcart vendor, wearing conical hat
Red River Delta---the Cradle of Vietnamese Civilization
About 2000 years ago, a distinct Vietnamese ethnolinguistic group emerged in the Red River Valley. They began growing rice in the area. They had learned how to irrigate their rice fields by building dykes and digging canals.
Water Puppet Show
Water Puppet Show originated in the villages of the Red River Delta a thousand years ago. In the show, the puppets dance on water.
Vietnamese's history began with the kingdom of Nam Viet (南越国), established in 207 B.C. by a former Chinese general Trien Da ( 赵佗).
Nam Viet covered not only much of southern China but also northern Vietnam.
However, in 111 B.C., China's Han dynasty conquered the area and named it Annam (安南).
The Chinese ruled Vietnam for 1100 years. Due to long period of Chinese domination over northern Vietnam, Chinese civilization had great impact on the Vietnam culture.
Temple of Literature (文庙)
The Temple of Literature is a temple of Confucius in Hanoi. It was built in 1070, dedicated to Confucius. The temple was Vietnam's first national university.
The Temple of Literature is a temple of Confucius in Hanoi. It was built in 1070, dedicated to Confucius. The temple was Vietnam's first national university.
Monarchies---900 Years of Independence between Chinese Domination and French Colonization
It was in 938 A.D. that Ngo Quyen defeated the Chinese and gained independence for Vietnam.
Vietnam was then ruled by a succession of dynasties, including the Ly, Tran, Le and Nguyen dynasties. Under the Le dynasty, the kingdom of Vietnam reached its peak, expanding to the south and conquering part of the Khmer Empire
One Pillar Pagoda ( 莲花台 ), Hanoi
A Historic Buddhist Temple Built during the Ly Dynasty
The temple is built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter. It is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity.
White Palace in Vung Tau---the Summer Palace of Bao Dai
Bao Dai was the last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty---the last dynasty of Vietnam. Bao Dai abdicated when the communist Viet Minh seized power.
French Colonial Rule and Japanese Occupation
French began its conquest of Indochina in 1859, and by 1885, controlled most of Vietnam. Vietnamese resistance to French rule continued on and off in the decades between the French conquest and the start of WWII.
St Joseph Cathedral, Hanoi
LienVietPostBank, HCM City
Notre Dame Cathedral, HCM City
Presidential Palace, Hanoi
Presidential Palace was built between 1900-1906 to house the French-General of Indochina.
When Japan surrendered in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared independence of Vietnam.
However, French wanted to reoccupy Vietnam.
War (1946-1954) broke out. It was fought between French vs.Viet Minh Forces.
The war resulted in Vietnamese Communist victory in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu and division of Vietnam into the Communist-ruled North and US-supported South.
Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Vietnam War was one of the major and bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century.
Not long after the 1954 partition, Ho Chi Minh pledged to "liberate" South Vietnam. War soon broke out between North and South Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh launched a guerrilla war in South Vietnam, led by Viet Cong, with the goal of uniting the country under communist rule.
For fearing that communism would spread through Asia, the US got involved in the civil war by providing military aids as well as sending combat troops into battle in South Vietnam.
War Remnants Museum
Vietnam war continued until 1975, when North Vietnam captured Saigon. The country was reunited the following year and named Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, in memory of Ho Chi Minh---the founding father of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh died in 1969, six years before the Fall of Saigon.
The number of casualties---civilians and the military---was enormous during Vietnam War.
Effects of toxic Agent Orange continue to haunt Vietnamese until today. Many of them have suffered from exposure to Agent Orange.
According to Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 4.8 million people were exposed to Agent Orange, resulting in 400 000 people being killed, or maimed and 500 000 children born with birth defects.
To the victims of Vietnam War, the war never ends.
Saigon
had a nice bowl of pho bo at this restaurant
Saigon River Dinner Cruise
enjoying Fanny icecream
Mekong Delta Tour
travelling by rowing boat along secluded canals to tropical fruit orchards
sampling local delicacy
Vung Tau
Vung Tau
Guan Yin Temple ( 观音庙 ), Vung Tau
Jesus Monument Mountain
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House
Ho Chi Minh Museum
The Old Quarters has been well-preserved. It is home to 36 old streets in Hanoi. The street names nowadays still reflect their specializations.
Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in northern Vietnam, east of Hanoi.
The bay is famous for its scenic ocean karst topography. It features over 3000 islands, rising spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow with enormous caves.
The Kissing Rocks, Halong Bay
a floating fishing village
serene beauty of Halong Bay
a cavern of brilliant stalactite and stalagmite formations
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