Picture Page on Vietnam

Outline

  1. Landscapes
  2. Major Cities
  3. Transportation

Landscapes

Ha Long Bay

 

http://www.awayawhile.com/images/nam_halongbay.jpg

 

A scene of some of the islands of Ha Long Bay, located in the northeast region of Vietnam, in the Gulf of Tonkin, near the border with China.  This magical bay is made up of 1,969 islands of all different sizes; 989 of these islands have been given names.  These limestone islands rise from the water in dramatic rock formations and harbor extensive grottos and caves.  “Vinh Ha Long,” Ha Long Bay, means “Bay of the Descending Dragon.  It is approximately 1,500 square kilometers.  There is a legend that Tarasque, a mystical creature, inhibits the waters of the bay.  Many tourists travel here, and the boats pictured above are used for tours.

 

Vietnam Rice Field

 

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Rice is the foundation of the Southeast Asian diet.  A common sight in Vietnam is the emerald green rice field.  Both men and women work in the rice fields.  Here is a woman in a boat tending to the field.  She is wearing a traditional broad-brimmed conical hat to protect her face from the tropical sun.  Each field is divided into parcels and is underwater during certain periods in the growing cycle.  In the background of this photo are karst cliffs, near Ninh Binh, Vietnam.  A boat is navigating through some of the rice fields along the way.  This region is located in an inter-tropical monsoon area, which is why the air appears foggy in the background.

 

Sand Dunes of Mui Ne

Sand Dunes of Mui Ne

 

http://www.pbase.com/mkelpie/image/42484292

 

Vietnam is famous for the sand dunes of Mui Ne (Ne Cape), located 24 km northeast of the fishing town of Phan Thiet.  This coastal picture shows the white dunes contrasting with the deep blue sea.  Each dune is unique and changes shape due to the wind.  You can tell the direction of the wind in this picture by the high peaks of the dune.  Most of these dunes are found snaking around the curvy shores of the Mui Ne beach.  Tourism is developing quickly in the area.  Sand surfing here is a fun sport for the people.

 

Major Cities

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

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View of the civic building, originally the City Hall, with the statue of Ho Chi Minh in Ho Chi Minh City.  Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam.  It is located in the southeastern region of Vietnam, situated near the Mekong River delta.  The city contains 6,239,938 inhabitants, accounting for about 7.4% of Vietnam’s total population.  It is the most important economic center in Vietnam.  There are several excellent examples of French colonial architecture in the city such as the civic building shown here.

Hue

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Hue is located in the central region of Vietnam on the banks of the Huong River.  During the Vietnam War, Hue’s central position placed it in a contested area near the border between North Vietnam and South Vietnam.  The city was once the royal capital of the Nguyen Dynasty.  The population of Hue stands at about 340,000 people.  Pictured above is the Ngo Mon Gate Citadel entrance, in the city of Hue.  The plants in front of the entrance are lily pads.  Many royal places, citadels, tombs and temples with attractive traditional architectures are located in Hue.  The city of Hue is well known for its monuments and architecture.

Hanoi

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Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is the country’s second largest city.  It lies on the banks of the Red River, located in the northern region of Vietnam.  As you travel through Hanoi, you can see some French influence, especially on the architecture.  Hanoi maintains a typical “small town” feel and old world charisma.  The city is scattered with lakes and lovely parks.  Above is a mid-air view of Hoan Kiem Lake, the Lake of the Restored Sword, as it lies right in the center of Hanoi city.  Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the most appealing spots in the city, serving as a gathering point and performance site during major festivals.

 

Transportations

Taxis

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Taxis are the most comfortable way of getting around.  Shown in the above picture are taxis waiting for passengers outside a shopping mall in Hanoi, Vietnam.  You can see motorcyclists on the far right and some old buildings across the street.  Taxis are an expensive way to get anywhere you may want to go in the city.  It is easy and safe to flag a taxi anywhere, anytime, but beware of rigged meters that increase the fare.  Newer taxi cars are more likely to have working air conditioning, while larger mini-SUV-type models charge a higher rate.

Motorbikes

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A major way to travel in the city is by motorbikes.  Above is a picture of motorbikes densely packed on a busy street in Ho Chi Minh City.  You can see two taxis on the right side and a bicyclist on the left, with many motorbikes surrounding them.  There are over a million motorbikes in Vietnam and the number of cars is growing everyday.  Motorbikes, called xe ôm, are plentiful, cheap, but can be dangerous.  It is important that you agree on a price before you set off.  If your stomach does not feel good, do not hesitate to ask the driver to go a little slower.  You can rent your own motorbike in many places, especially around the backpacker area. 

Cyclos

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The cyclo is a three-wheeled bicycle and is another way to travel.  In this picture you can see a row of cyclos waiting for passengers. Cyclos are an excellent way of visiting the city, especially if you feel tired.  Make sure you state the price clear before accepting the service.  Cyclos are disappearing because of government attempts to restrict them on busy urban streets.  At around $2 USD per hour and because they are so slow, they can be a good choice for taking in the city.  However, in areas popular with tourists, cyclos often try to overcharge, so bargain beforehand. They circulate around the central market and will immediately try to take you on a city tour the moment you are on board.

Submitted by Quyen Tran & Kyla Schrad on 3/30/07.