Vietnam – War-torn Country to Resurrection
Vietnam tourism has picked up after the foreign tourists were able to travel freely after 1997. The main parties to Vietnam War were North Vietnam supported by Communist countries like Russia and South Vietnam, supported by America, Australia, Philippines and the allies countries.. It is also known as the American War or the Second Indochina War. It was a conflict in three countries; Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. It continued for 19 years; beginning from 1 November 1955 and ending on 30 April 1976 with the fall of Saigon.The extent of devastation caused to the war-torn countries could be witnessed at the exhibits of Vietnam War Remnants Museum located at Ho Chi Minh City, the erstwhile, Saigon.
The Vietnam War Remnants Museum
The museum exhibit military equipments, besides the unexploded ordnance, the military equipment includes helicopters, bombs, fighters, and Patton tank and attack bombers. The exhibits include the “tiger cages”, in which political prisoners were kept; up to 14 people per cage. It has photographic exhibits with short texts highlight the use of napalm and phosphorous bombs, effects of chemical warfare and photos of War atrocities. Around 4.8 million people were exposed to chemical spray and strong pesticides. POWs were executed by guillotine, exhibited by an exhibit.
The Vietnam War Remnants Museum attracts more than half a million visitors every year, of which two-thirds are foreigners. This place is an important monument in the Vietnam tourism. It conveys the historical truths of hegemony, associated with self-representing images. Most other countries tourist have praised Vietnam for sustaining the war for 19 years against the mighty US forces.
The Resurrection of Vietnam:
With the process of resurrection, this war-torn country has transformed itself in to one of the trendiest tourist hot spots in the world. The communist-ruled government welcomes the western holiday makers who visit the country to witness the Vietnam War Remnants Museum. Plenty of modern hotels provide all the luxurious facilities, for tourists. The major attraction for the government is the hard cash in foreign currency spent by the tourists.
Important places in Vietnam tourism
Besides the Vietnam War Remnant Museum, other attractions in Vietnam tourism are great local food, places associated with history; particularly, the war, the top-notch safety, excursion and tours, French colonial architecture, glittering skyscrapers, the scenic Ha Long Bay surrounded with more than 2, 000 small islands.
Cu Chi Tunnels:
Cu Chi, is an underground tunnel Cu Chi, the tunnels consists of more than 200 kilometers of underground systems. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life was like during the U.S. – Vietnam War.
Hanoi- Halong Bay:
Trip to Vietnam is complete only when you visit Halong Bay. It is a natural wonder, worthy of UNESCO world heritage, beautiful grotto in the bay and Thien Cung Cave.. There are small islands in the bay with limestone natural karts with tropical downpour 500 million years old, in a thick jungle. Visitors are allowed guided tours. Some Islands have lakes too. The day trip will help see the small islands protruding from the blue sea, worth a trip for scenic lovers traveling on a cruise and sea foods.
Ho Chi Minh City:
This is the financial Capital of Vietnam named after their first leader Ho Chi Minh of North Vietnam, the revolutionary leader; who served as Prime Minister and President of North Vietnam. The city is surrounded by Saigon River. Worth visiting is Ben Thana Market, Notre –Dame Basilica Church, Independence Palace, Museum, Pearl Farm.
MyTho (Mekalong Delta)
A Short Cruise in Mekalong River leads to islets where you can visit orchards farmer villages and their culture. Mekalong Village, where people live on boat houses/houses on river, it is like a village, mostly migrants.
