Why Vietnam? Where else in the world does the beautiful bride to be arrive at her wedding on the back of a motorbike? Where else in the world can you sit for hours eating, laughing, and sharing fantastic stories over glasses of authentic scorpion wine?

We could reiterate general information about Vietnam (we'll give you facts at the end), but let's keep it straight forward for now: It's extraordinarily beautiful here. Vietnam is a place that cures and causes wander-lust. Vietnam is filled with such an abundance of wonderful adventures and activities that it's difficult to narrow the list down to just a few places to visit and things to do. Birthday parties at the local beer hoi, catching a glimpse of a rainbow over Hanoi after an afternoon sun shower or learning to ride a motorbike on your own will certainly keep you smiling for awhile.

When to go? What to see? There is no good or bad season to visit Vietnam. While one region of the country is wet or hot, you can invariably find another part of the country that is sunny and temerate. There are over 3,451 km of coastline scattered with countless kilometers of unspoiled beaches, dazzling lagoons, magnificent limestone islands and cliffs jutting from the calm waters of lost bays. If you want to turn it up a notch, go and witness the mad bustle of cities infused with rich cultural histories. It's relatively inexpensive to travel in Vietnam and that is an invitation to plan an extensive visit. Along the way you can stay in a moderately priced hotel or guest-house for as little as $5 USD a night or in a five-star hotel/resort for $150 USD a night. You'll find amiable and knowledgeable staff easily within this price range.

If you love having your senses stimulated, Vietnam offers sights, sounds, and tastes that can only be described as luscious. If you'd like to laugh with local school children during an outdoor water-puppet show, if you'd like to chat with a Buddhist monk after visiting a hidden pagoda, or you want to navigate through mountains and jungles to find waterfalls, hill tribes, rainbows, exotic wildlife, vegetation, and spectacular views of a country growing vibrantly. Then your question, "Why Vietnam," is answered over and over again with each unique experience. See you soon!

Slo and Pony.


The Facts:

Where we are: South East Asia

United Nations Listing: Socialist Republic of Vietnam,

Land Mass: 329,566 sq. km (128, 527 square miles).

How many People: More than 80 million (Growth Rate 1.2%).

Capital City: Hanoi (population 4 million).

Cultural Make-up: 85% ethnic Vietnamese, 3% ethnic Chinese, also Khmer, Cham (a remnant of the once great Indianised Champa Kingdom) and members of some 55 ethno-linguistic groups.

Languages: Vietnamese, French, Chinese, English and a variety of Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian local dialects.

Religions: Buddhism is the principal religion but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Muslim and Christian minorities.

President: Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet.

Prime Minister: Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung