The history of Vietnam is very complex and adds to the richness of the experience of a visit there. People can make their Vietnam Holidays a chance to learn more about how the nation has worked through its reunification process. Visitors can visit specific monuments or simply speak with the people who lived through it for a first hand account.

Vietnam has lush countrysides that contrast with its bustling cities. Tourists can spend all of their time in either setting and still come away with the impression that they have had a full experience. The countryside tends to be devoted to farming. It may seem to be a more laid back setting, however, people on the farms work quite diligently. Although, tourists spending their Vietnam holidays in a rural setting will be able to take advantage of the lovely surroundings and relative quiet of the area.

People who choose to spend their time in an urban setting will be rewarded with busy markets, shopping and good restaurants. Tourists who are spending their Vietnam holiday in a city should not be afraid to engage in good natured bargaining to get good prices for items. Many sellers are willing to lower their prices to close the deal. It all depends on whether the tourist can spot a bargain in the making. It may take some practice, but many tourists are more than willing to join in to become part of the scene.

To get the most of what Vietnam has available for tourists, visitors should try to travel to a rural and an urban town. Visiting these places will provide the best sense of what it means to live and work in Vietnam. Meeting people during a Vietnam holiday who have made different choices about whether to live in a big city or a small town will give tourists an idea of the challenges, sacrifices and rewards that many Vietnamese experience on a day to day basis.

The second of Central Vietnam’s Unesco World HeritageSites rests largely in the shade of its smaller but more dominant cousin. Hue is sometimes bypassed especially by tourists on a whistle-stop tour of the country. Whilst it may not have the quaint old world charm of its near neighbour, in the citadel and the royal tombs, Hue does have two of the country’s most impressive sites. As with most good things in life, the deeper you dig the more you find there is to discover.

Protected by 10km long, two meter thick walls and the Perume Tiver, the immensity of the citadel is impressive. In front of the walls and facing the river is a 37 meter high flagpole, the tallest in Vietnam.

Hue’s other main draw is the royal tombs that spread along the banks of the Perfume River to the south of the city. Accessile either by boat or motorbike, part of the attraction opulence, reflecting the decline of the dynasty that ruled the country from 1802 to 1945.

Thien Mu Pagoda is to the south west of the city. The original pagoda was built in 1601, although it has been rebuilt many times since. It is seen by many as the symbol of Hue

Beyond the obvious sites, the massive appeal of Hue is simply wandering around the city, crammed with interesting monuments, pagodas and old buildings, often in incongruous settings. Of particular interest are the garden houses.

Designed according to the principles of Feng Shui, the houses offer a harmony between architecture and nature. The ubiquitous expanse of water makes for a very tranquil setting. Many are open to the public on an informal basis, some even offering food or accommodation. Kim Long, the area between the citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda, is a good place for discovering garden houses, including the Temple of Princess Ngoc Son on Nguyen Chi Thanh street. Hue’s temple of Literature is also located nearby

Hue is also famous for its cuisine. Thanks to Emperor Tu Duc, Imperial Hue cuisine has a reputation for being some of the finest in the country. For those on a less than royal budget, the city also has some excellent street food including the spicy noodle soup excellent street food including the spicy noodle soup “bun bo hue” and local rice cakes, “banh beo” and “banh cuon”. One thing is for sure, you will never go hungry in Hue – neither for food nor culture