- author, Lynn Brown
- role, BBC
-
6 hours ago
Fifty years after the end of the devastating conflict that left the country devastated, Vietnam has emerged as one of the most popular travel and tourism destinations in Asia.
Next April will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the surrender of the Saigon government to North Vietnamese forces, ending the decades-long Vietnam War, but in many ways the country is still struggling with the consequences of that dark era and the impact that remains on her land and its people.
However, new generations of Vietnamese citizens are now working to avoid the effects of the country’s war history, and instead promote the country’s unique beauty and cultural heritage.
Since 1997, when the country opened its doors to tourists for the first time, Vietnam has become one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, famous for its street markets. ‘ sell delicious street foods, its lively cities, and its unique blend of French architecture. and stunning landscapes from lush forests to… To the rugged peaks, the country is currently seeing huge demand from overseas visitors, and is set to record a record number of arrivals – visit within a year.
In the latest episode of the BBC’s The Travel Show, Vietnamese-American presenter William Lee Adams travels across the country on an emotional journey to reconnect with his mother’s homeland and plant his brother’s ashes. in the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), where. .. Cemetery for his family.
Saigon was at the center of the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s, and was the headquarters for US military operations in the region, but the city’s history stretches back at least 300 years before that conflict, and the a past that can be seen in temples of its own architectural style, lively night markets and a mix of influences from the Asian and European presence in this city with a population of nine million people.
As in most of Vietnam, the food is a major attraction for travelers to Ho Chi Minh City, and street food dishes such as pot chien (fried rice flour cakes with papaya, leeks and scallions) are popular. in places like the historic Ben Thanh. Market, as … The most luxurious restaurants like the Michelin-starred Acuna,.
“The market and food in general is like the heart of Vietnamese culture, food is very important,” Leila, a tour director and content creator, tells the Travel Show.
Besides the markets, Ho Chi Minh City is a mix of Vietnamese and French influences. while Lotus House (one of the city’s private art galleries) exhibits… ) Works by Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian artists.
One thing you don’t often find in Ho Chi Minh City is armed conflict, and many locals are willing to talk about what is known locally as “the American war”.
“The official view is that we won the war, so there is no trauma,” said Vietnamese author Nguyen Van Quy Mai, explaining that he had always tried to “record the hidden trauma, that was ignored, not recognized,” referring to the stories of people during and after the war.
Comment on the picture, The historic Ben Thanh Market is very popular
Despite this, there are many places where visitors can learn more about the impact of the war on the town and the surrounding countryside. show the hardships endured by Vietnamese soldiers during the conflict.
Ho Chi Minh City, connected to the north of the country by the North-South Railway, commonly known as the “Reunification Train”, was first built in 1899, and travels over 1,700 kilometers from the city Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. On one line, the railway was bombed several times during the Vietnam War to cut important communication between the communist north and the south of the country, which was controlled by the United States.
Today, the trip is a great way to get a glimpse of some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, passing through the blue waters of Nha Trang’s stunning beaches, and cutting through the forests of the Annamite Mountain Range. The train also stops at many famous tourist towns, such as Da Nang and Hoi An, before reaching its final destination, the historic capital, Hanoi.
Hanoi, once the northern communist capital, was founded in 1009 AD as an imperial city by the Li dynasty. Since 1873, the city has been the capital of territories controlled by France, and today it is the capital of Vietnam.
The city’s diverse background is reflected in its architecture, particularly the Old Quarter, with its mix of Vietnamese and French architecture.
To delve deeper into Hanoi’s history, you can visit the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the 7th century, as the site covers nearly 1,300 years of history Vietnam.
As well as being the legislative capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is also the country’s cultural capital, and is home to a thriving arts and education scene.
For example, what is now called the “Temple of Literature” was the first university in Vietnam, and students still visit the temple to pray and pray, and the city is full of art galleries and contemporary museums, such as the National Museum of Vietnam. Hanoi Fine Arts and Studio Gallery.
No trip to Hanoi is complete without a stop at Dong Xuan Market, one of the largest and oldest markets in the country, a two story market where locals and tourists from all over the world flock. to buy local dishes, souvenirs, spices and even pets.
At the end of his visit, Adams said that “every time he visits Vietnam, he feels that something has been completed, but in reality I see this trip as a new open chapter.” “
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2024-10-23 04:29:00
