Vietnam, officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is located on the Indo-China Peninsula in South East Asia (map). It is bordered by China, Laos and Cambodia, and the South China Sea. The local language is Vietnamese. The currency is Vietnamese Dong (1 USD = approx 17000 VND). The capital is Ha Noi located in the north, while Ho Chi Minh city, locally called Saigon, is a major financial and business hub in the south. The population of Vietnam is about 86 million (2009 figures). Before 1975, Vietnam existed as two countries: North Vietnam and South Vietnam.
The Vietnam War forms a major portion of the modern history of Vietnam. This war was a military conflict that was fought in the territories of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia between 1959 and 1975 between the communist North Vietnam (supported by the erstwhile Soviet Union and other communist allies) and the government of South Vietnam (supported by the United States and SEATO). The war resulted in huge fatalties of 3 to 4 million Vietnamese, about 2 million Laotians and Cambodians and 59000 US soldiers. The war ended in 1975 with the communist capture of South Vietnam. The following year, both parts were united into a single country, Vietnam.
Fearing the spread of communism in Asia, the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations ventured into Vietnam following the Domino Theory (The Domino Theory was a foreign policy during the 1950s and 1960s promoted by the US that speculated if one land in a region came under the Red Tide of communism, then all the surrounding countries would follow in a domino effect.) Huge amounts of aids in terms of US soldiers, weaponry, aircrafts and money were poured into South Vietnam to fight the communist North Vietnam. However, North Vietnam, under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh and other comrades engaged the US-backed forces in a long war that ended in the communist capture of South Vietnam, withdrawal of US troops and a deep disgrace to the US. However, towards the end of the war, US had managed to drop thousands of tonnes of chemical bombs onto Vietnamese territories that continue to have deep impact on the people of Vietnam. Even now, there are cases of new generation babies born with defects due to the effects of a herbicide code-named Agent Orange (chemical warfare).
While the North and South Vietnamese government forces were engaged in conventional war, the Viet Cong or National Liberation Front, was a guerrila army in South Vietnam and Cambodia that fought against the US-backed forces. The army cadres were mainly civilians and peasants who were unhappy from the atrocities committed by the US and had joined the struggle against the US-backed forces. In a small town called Cu Chi, about 100 km from Siagon, these Viet Cong comrades constructed a 250-km long intricate network of underground tunnels called Cu Chi tunnels. They lived in these tunnels and employed geurrila warfare against the US-backed forces. The Viet Cong comrades were supported by the communist North Vietnam.
Locally called Saigon, this is the largest city in Vietnam. It was the capital of South Vietnam before North Vietnam and South Vietnam were merged together into one country in 1975. It is a major financial and business hub in Vietnam. The memories and remnants of the Vietnam war are preserved in the Bao tang chung tich chein tranh or the War Remnants Museum (called American War Crimes Museum till 1993) in Saigon. Saigon is a very lively place with lot of hustle-bustle. It depicts how this country has coped up with the traumas of the Vietnam war and is coming back to life.
Photos are available through my Picasa/Snapfish albums:
(Some images may be disturbing)
[1] Cu Chi Tunnels
[2] Saigon city
[3] Museums
My accommpanying friends during the trip: Vinod, Arjun, Ayyappan, Samyuktha, Arati, Pavan, Theja and Bharat [Thanks to all for sharing the photographs!]. [Comments from viewers!].
The Vietnamese visa is easy to obtain. Travellers can apply online through any one of the several travel agents authorized by the Vietnamese government. Upon applying an approval letter is sent by email. The visas are given on arrival (only at the airport) upon producing a print-out of the approval letter. The visa costs around USD 50.
The Lonely Planet book on Vietnam is a very good companion for travel within Vietnam. Additionally, its best to research and gather general info about Vietnam before traveling there. Vietnam is a place with rich recent historical events and therefore read a bit about the country, people and culture to make the visit interesting and worthwhile. Language can be a problem in Vietnam, so if possible, note down a few basic Vietnamese words and phrases to communicate with the locals.
Vietnam has tropical climate, so traveling light is the best option. It will be useful to carry some basic medicines/first-aid kits, mosquito-repellents as well as umbrellas. Public drinking water is not safe for consumption for foreigners, so its advisable to drink only bottled water.
