General information about Vietnam
 
Vietnam - a country with a diverse landscape and a huge amount of valuable historical and cultural monuments, many of which are included in the list of the world's historical and cultural heritage. Here there are mountains covered with primeval forests and river valleys, and waterfalls, and lakes, and gorgeous beaches with white sand and clear sea water.
North Vietnam stretches from the mountains on the border with China to the Beibu Gulf. Most attention in this region attracts Halong Bay. At its area is located about 1,600 picturesque islands. Other natural attractions include the Cat Ba National Park and the highest mountain in Vietnam Fansipan. The main historical sites here are Hanoi and the former capital of Hoa Lu X century.

Climate of Vietnam
 
In the south of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City to the resort of Phan Thiet - 200 km), there are two seasons: wet and dry. The wet season traditionally lasts from May to November, the wettest months - June to August. During this period, 1-2 hours in the morning rain, the rest of the time - sunny. The dry season usually begins in December and ends in April. For European tourists is the most favorable time. "Velvet" months in South Vietnam - January and February: soft sun, refreshing sea water. From late February to May - hot days without rain.

Money in Vietnam

New Dong (VND or D) is nominally 10 and 100 hao su. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 500 000, 100 000, 50 000, 20 000, 10 000, 5000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100 Dong, and coins in 5000, 2000, 1000, 500 and 200 Dong (gradually go out of circulation). The notes issued in several versions, a high degree of protection against counterfeiting banknotes have only entered into circulation after 2003.

Vietnamese tradition
 
Vietnam has always been under the influence of three faiths: Confucianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Therefore, the Vietnamese mentality prone to religious syncretism. In rural churches are local spirits patrons, Buddha, Bodhisattva, Confucius, and other religious and historical characters. Such an eclectic neighborhood does not seem strange to the Vietnamese. In rural homes usually have at least two altars. The first is dedicated to the ancestors of the patron, the second - some deity. Vietnamese desire to syncretic understanding of different faiths led to the emergence of two sects, which combine elements of European and Eastern religious philosophy. The first - "Kaoday" ("supreme palace") was based on the teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Confucius, Victor Hugo and Leo Tolstoy. Second sect called "Hoch" ("Harmony and nobility") was based on the ideas of Taoism and Buddhism.

Cuisine of Vietnam
 
Traditionally a favorite among locals are dishes of fish, chicken and pork, along with cooked vegetables and rice or noodles. In addition, Vietnam eating bamboo shoots - very useful and tasty product, although not featuring a pleasant smell. Even the Vietnamese believe a feature of the kitchen "repulsive odor in excellent taste." Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its sophistication and uniqueness. Mint leaves, coriander, lemongrass (lemongrass), shrimp, fish sauce "nyok Moms", ginger, black pepper, garlic and basil give the dish a unique flavor. Do not burn, and gentle and savory spices, and minimal use of fats, the emphasis on fresh ingredients, a variety of rice dishes, vegetables, and seafood make Vietnamese cuisine is not only delicious, but also useful and very popular with the most discerning palate, and at adherents of a healthy diet.

Landscapes of Vietnam

Danang

Danang (Da Nang) lies in the heart of Vietnam, in a picturesque setting on a heavily indented coastline of low mountains. Founded in 1333, today it is a major industrial and commercial center, one of the main ports of the country. The main attractions are the magnificent Museum Danang tyamskoy culture (Bao Tang-Tyam, 1915), historical sites in Dongzyonge (Indrapure) Khuongmi, Chykeu (Simhapure) and Thap-Momma (Binh Dinh), the fortress of Dien Hai (1813 g), Huh-Tyng Cemetery, one of the best water park in the country ", Danang Water Park", the nearby Marble Mountains, the famous pass Khaiwan ("Sea Cloud", 496 m) to the old French fort, mountain Nguhanshon ("five poetic mountains ") and stone-cutting artisan Nguhanshon, Langkau island, and many wonderful beaches.

Nha Trang
 
Nha Trang (Nha Trang) - a beautiful seaside resort in the province of Khanh Hoa. Despite the proximity of large industrial enterprises, Nha Trang is one of the best places in the country. The symbol of the city - a huge statue of Buddha (Kim-Thanh-Fat-To, 1963), on top of a hill, is also interested in the bridge of San Bong pagoda Longshon (Tignes Hoi Khanh Hoa and Nam Fatt Hawk Hoy, XIX a.), functioning churches In Nagar Cham ("Tower Tyamov", VII-XII cc.), the Gothic Cathedral (residence of the Bishop of Nha Trang, 1928-1933.), the ruins of the citadel Denkhan (11 km west of Nha Trang, 1793 ), only the Vietnam Institute of Oceanography with the best aquarium country, island Che Honchong picturesque cape and a mountain-Kotien Nui ("The Magic Mountain"), a three-tiered waterfall Bajo, the "magic power" Suoy Tien, numerous mineral springs and mud, park Hanhofudong and pagoda Longson (5 km north-west of the city).

Dalat

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the country - the mountain resort of Dalat (Da Lat, 60 km west of the port of Cam Ranh), which lies in the vast forests on the Central Plateau (1475 m). District of Dalat is famous soft cool climate, evergreen forests, picturesque lakes and rivers. In addition to the many cozy hotels are worthy of attention "madhouse" Hang Nga Hotel and Art Gallery Madame Dang Viet Nga, the summer palace of Emperor Bao Dai (1933), the residence of the French Governor-General of 1933 (now Hotel), grave Nguyen Huu Hao, valley-Thung Lung-Tin-Ey ("Valley of Love") around an artificial lake datkha, Dalatsky Cathedral (1931-1942 gg.), Evangelical Church of Da Lat (1940), the Monastery of the Virgin Mary (Nha Tho- -Domayn, 1940-1942 gg.) Zusin Church (1955), the famous Dalat Flower Gardens (Vyon-Hoa Dalat) and Lake Xuan Huong Pagoda, Lam Dong-Lyn-Dream (1938), female Monastery Sons (Chua-Linfong, 1952), the Institute of Education in a former monastery, pagoda-Thien Vuong (Chua Tau, 1958-1963.), French Quarter, waterfalls Kamla and Highlands Langbyan (highest point - Lom-Beng-Clough, 2165 m) and ethnic minority villages on its slopes.

Vung Tau
 
The 128 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City is the largest tourist center of the country - Vung Tau (Vung Tau). The city is located in the middle of the long beaches of the coast of the South China Sea and for more than 100 years, is the most popular resort in the country. Considerable importance in the eyes of local people and gives it that after winning the North Vietnamese army was evacuated from this latest American division. The most remarkable temple sleep-Am, two temples Hon Ba, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Vietnam - Niet-Ban Tin-Ca ("House of pure nirvana", 1971), the park-Thich Ca Phat Dai-(" altar of Buddha "), pagoda-Thich Ca Phat Dai-(the largest in the region) and the sculpture park of the same name, a huge statue of Jesus Than-portation (1974, height - 30 m), Temple Nieto-Ban Tin Ha Pagoda Ngoc-beat, the lighthouse (1910) on the mountain Nuyne and former royal residence, Bach Dinh ("white house", 1909).

Hanoi

Hanoi (Ha Noi, Hanoi) - the ancient city, the political, economic and cultural center of the state. The rapid development of Hanoi started in XI century., When Emperor Li Cong Uan moved his capital to the citadel of Thang Long ("Citadel descending dragon"). Today it is one of the most interesting cities in Southeast Asia - wide avenues in the European style and skyscrapers, many lakes, parks and fountains, interspersed with hundreds of colonial mansions and pagodas.

Van Meu
 
To the monuments of later periods include Temple of Literature (Van Meu, founded in 1070, the first university in South-East Asia), with a pavilion Khyue-Wan and an extensive collection of sculptures, French colonial district "Ville Francaise", the Presidential Palace, the iconic for every Vietnamese place - Mausoleum and the Museum of Ho Chi Minh, the "House of Ho Chi Minh on stilts" and bunker Ho Chi Minh (a network of tunnels, built in 1967), in which during the Vietnam War, sheltering from American air raids first president and the government. Very original and numerous museums Hanoi Museum of Fine Arts, Tang Bao-May-Tuat, the Ethnographic Museum (more than 15 000 items) with an interesting museum of folk architecture in the open air, a spectacular Army Museum Bao Tang-Quan-Doi, a unique museum of women Historical Museum Bao Tang Lich Su, Museum of the Revolution Bao Tang-qual-Man, Independence Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Vietnam.