Vietnam Experience

Country Information

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is bordered by China, Laos and Cambodia. It is the 13th most populous country in the world and is labelled as one of the ‘next eleven’ economies, meaning that it is expected to develop economically and in terms of infrastructure very quickly in the near future.  Although it has had a reasonably troubled past, the name Vietnam does tend to conjure up pictures of quaintness and tranquillity, especially when you considered the fact that it has thousands of miles of beautiful coastline to its name!  Occupied by the French from the mid-1800s until shortly after the end of WWII, it is not surprising that the influence is obvious, especially in the big cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), so much so that you may even think you’re in France, when you’re strolling down the wide colonial boulevards.  After Nationalist insurgents forced the French out, Vietnam was split in two, to become North and South Vietnam. This arrangement did not last long, as one side struggled against the other leading to the outbreak of the Vietnam War, with the USA.

This war was disastrous for the whole area, as the American’s also heavily bombed neighbouring Laos and Cambodia who are, in some areas, still dealing with the after-effects of the conflict.  After the USA withdrew, Vietnam was reunified as a one party state under a communist rule, which it remains peacefully under to this day.  Even after this violent time, Vietnam is now the fastest developing country in South East Asia and the people are once again, full of hope for the future.

Time
Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT.

Getting There

You will need to arrange your flight into Hanoi where you will be met by a programme representative and taken to a hotel for your first nights accommodation.

Climate

Vietnam’s climate pretty much guarantees that one part of the country has some pleasant sunny weather. The weather is somewhat dependent on the topography of the land.The South in the Mekong Delta area has two seasons: wet (our summer) and dry (our winter).  The central area, around the coast is dry and wet at the opposite times to the South of the country, whereas the highland areas are just generally cooler than everywhere else.  In the North its different again - cool and damp in the winter and hot in the summer!