"VIETNAM - DOI MOI AT THE EDGE OF ASIA" Vietnam by mtncorg

Vietnam Travel Guide: 12,413 reviews and 30,516 photos

French colonialism, socialist realism amid Doi moi

Vietnam lies along the coast of SE Asia encompassing two large river deltas - the Red to the north and the Mekong to the south - with the coast and mountains lying between. The country is the 13th most populous in the World which since it is the 65th largest in area means there are a lot of people crammed together. At times, it seems that the whole country is one large street village with a few rice fields hidden away out back.
Many people think of Vietnam in terms of the long wars fought here - first against French colonialism and then to unify the country. Something like 500,000 died in the first conflict which lasted from 1946 to 1954. Up to 5 million perished in the second conflict before the country was unified in 1975 under communist rule. Another decade of backward economic progress followed the unification before the policies of Doi Moi - renovation - were announced changing the economy from a centrally-directed economy of Stalinisque mechanistics to a more open socialist-oriented market economy allowing the country to finally begin to regain itself after so many dark years. While still a relatively poor country, Vietnam has made rapid strides since the 1990's - especially after the US embargo was lifted and relations between the two countries were normalized.

The country has much to offer tourists from its unique history to the cultural and topographical beauty that can be discovered throughout its breadth.

Last visit to Vietnam: Apr 2010
Intro Written May 11, 2010
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Reviews (14)

Tour package includes mass cyclo ride. - Vietnam

HOI AN Tourist Traps (1)

Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also one of the best sites in Vietnam to see capitalism, albeit with a... more travel advice

Hyddrofoil moves past ferry to District 2 - Saigon - Vietnam

FERRY Transportation (2)

With so many rivers, ferries and hydrofoils play a big role in transportation in Vietnam. From Saigon, hydrofoils shunt... more travel advice

Everyone drives on Highway 1 - rail line on right - Vietnam

HIGHWAY ONE Transportation (2)

Highway 1 runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City directly through Hue. This, along with the neighboring narrow-gauge single... more travel advice

Cao Dai women getting ready to attend services - Vietnam

CAO DAI Local Customs (3)

The syncretic religion that is Cao Dai arose in southern Vietnam in the middle 1920's. There are anywhere from 3 to 8... more travel advice

Things to Do (8)
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Comments (3)

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starship May 29, 2012 at 3:30 PM

Excellent page, great pictures! Even though I was in high school and college during the Vietnam war, there's so much I would like to know about the history and people here. Mostly I would like to understand how veterans returning there feel.
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easterntrekker Dec 28, 2010 at 2:04 PM

Very interesting pages.We will be going to Vietnam in Jan.Can't wait.
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Nemorino May 12, 2010 at 3:47 AM

Hi Mark, I’m glad to see you have just been to Vietnam (April 2010) and have started posting new pages about it. I like your fine photos and well-informed tips. In 1964/65 I was quartered (really) in the home of an elderly Cao Dai couple.