Places to see: Indo China

HANOI

In 1010 Emperor Ly Thai To founded his capital, which he christened 'Rising Dragon', on the banks of the Red River. Almost a millennium later, Hanoi remains Vietnam's political centre, its crowded streets lined with reminders of its long and tumultuous history. You'll find the Temple of Literature, a bastion of Confucian scholarship founded in 1015; an Old Quarter of winding alleys, crowded markets and traditional shop-houses; tree-lined avenues flanked by imposing French colonial villas; and the Soviet-style mausoleum built in honour of the man who led the country to independence, Ho Chi Minh.

HO CHI MINH CITY ( SAIGON)

Renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975, Saigon is Vietnam's business hub, a city that never stops. There's a buzz of energy; everyone is buying, selling, building, moving' Beautiful French colonial buildings stand beside newly-built skyscrapers. Women dressed in Vietnam's traditional ao dai tunic stroll past fashionable boutiques and crowded cafes. You'll find great nightlife and some of the best shopping in Southeast Asia in this vibrant, fast-changing city.

HALONG BAY

More than 3,000 limestone islands rise from the turquoise waters of Ha Long Bay, an archipelago that lies 160km from Hanoi. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is a naturalist's dream. Sculpted into strange shapes by the wind and weather, the islands hide deserted beaches, many magnificent caves and hidden lagoons that may only be reached by chinks in the cliffs that are revealed at low tide.

HUE

While imperial rule ended almost six decades ago, the central city of Hue still bears the marks of its royal past. From 1802 to 1945 Hue was home to 13 Nguyen emperors, whose palaces and tombs provide fascinating glimpses into the luxurious and secretive world of the court. Visitors may explore the red-lacquered pavilions of the Citadel, take an evening boat cruise on the Perfume River accompanied by a troupe of musicians performing courtly love songs, or feast on delicacies once served in the royal palaces.
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