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Vietnam Combines Culture With Luxury M
VIETNAM
odern-day Vietnam offers an appeal- ing combination of traditional culture and modern amenities. Women in conical hats pre-
pare food at makeshift restaurants on city sidewalks, fl oat- ing markets sell fruit as tiny coff ee shops fl oat by, and paper lanterns decorate storefronts — all in proximity to luxury hotels, upscale restaurants, and high-end shopping malls. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is popu- lar with tourists. Numerous travel companies off er cruises that provide a peaceful respite as they ply turquoise waters past thousands of massively tall limestone islands. In Sung Sot Cave, the most visited of the islands’ caverns, a paved passage weaves past thousands of stalactites and stalag- mites and colored lights illuminate the natural wonder. Hoi An is a perfect example of new Vietnam. A major
Southeast Asian trading post from the 15th to the 19th centuries, the town remains a living museum. This World Heritage Site showcases the history of diff erent cultures — Chinese, European, Japanese, and Vietnamese — working together for the betterment of the community. More than a thousand centuries-old residential and com- mercial buildings now are occupied by restaurants and shops, where merchants are ready and willing to barter for everything from tchotchkes to coconut bowls and clothing. You also can have custom-tailored suits, jackets, and dresses made in a short amount of time. Also represented among the historic architecture
are nearby Hindu temples (top), a Japanese-designed bridge, and a Vietnamese assembly hall. The town of Hoi An is small and easy to navigate on foot, and many streets are limited to pedestrian and bicycle traffi c. Whether you visit bustling Ho Chi Minh City with its 8 million inhabitants, refl ect on the country’s ancient history, or enjoy its many waterways, Vietnam will wel- come you with a warm smile and a hearty embrace. — Marilyn Jones
22 MILITARY OFFICER MAY 2017
PHOTOS: TOP TO BOTTOM, ELZBIETA SEKOWSKA/SHUTTERSTOCK, PERFECT LAZYBONES/ SHUTTERSTOCK, 1TOMM/SHUTTERSTOCK, TONKINPHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK MAP ILLUSTRATION: MICHELE FRAZZETTA; INDOCHINA STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Ha Long Bay
Hoi An
Ho Chi Minh City
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