Travel Destination: Vietnam

Although for most people the mention of Vietnam conjures up memories of wartime, there are definitely places to see and to experience some of which will change the perception for the average person.

The Cu Chi Tunnel system should definitely be at the top of any must see list. This 200 mile tunnel system goes some 200 miles from Saigon to Cambodia. Believed to have been started around 1948, the tunnels are actually an underground network with many surprising amenities such as kitchens, hospitals, schools and street signs. They were dug by the Viet Cong and used as a military strike point during various wars particular the Vietnam Conflict of the 1960s. The tunnels are located along the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Another interesting place to visit is Halong Bay which has been designated as a World Heritage site. Visitors are invited to take paddle boat cruises through the waters to marvel at the many natural limestone formations jutting up from the bay. This is a mecca for kayak enthusiasts. Halong Bay is often referred to as one of the natural wonders of the world even though it is not on the official list.

The Natural Preserve of Cuc Phuong encompassing some 60,000 acres is believed to be one of the last tropical primeval forest areas still in existence. Visitors are afforded the opportunity to see many rare plants and flowers especially orchids. The preserve is home to many rare creatures such as flying lizards, Langur monkeys and giant red belly squirrels. Along the outer perimeter of the preserve are home sites of the Muong tribe who lived in stilted houses. Visitors can see the watercraft and weaving looms that were part of their lifestyle.

In the Saigon sector of Ho Chi Minh City is a war museum that will definitely alter the thinking of American visitors. Referred to as the War Crimes Museum, there are photographs of the My Lai Massacre, displays of military vehicles and other fighting gear along with a French guillotine from the 1920 riots. Included in the exhibits is a replica of the POW cages used to house prisoners captured by the Viet Cong.

Another must see is the Historical Museum properly known as Blanchard dels Brosse built in 1929. Here visitors are treated to exhibits of primitive artifacts some from the Tran and Le Dynasty periods. In the entry courtyard is a towering statue of President Ho Chi Minh. Among the exhibits are unique musical instruments such as the monocord, a one-stringed instrument.

A visit to Notre Dame Cathedral erected in 1883 is now known as Reunification Hall since this was the site where the Vietnam Conflict officially ended in the spring of 1975.

The Cao Dai Temple is a fantastic place to visit where Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Catholicism are blended into a unified Vietnamese religious practice.