The country neighbours China to the north and Laos and Cambodia to the west, with the South China Sea lying to its east and south. Vietnam is a combination of luscious mountains, golden sand beaches and bustling cities – attracting close to 20 million international visitors every year.
Roughly divided into the north, south and central regions, the landscape of Vietnam varies depending on which region you are in. To the north, the landscape is mainly mountainous filled with expansive rice paddies and the Red River Delta, whilst in the south of the country, you can find the Annamite Mountains (Giai Truong Son), the coastal lowlands and the Mekong River Delta. Central Vietnam on the other hand boasts enormous cave systems protected by national parks. The coast then snakes along the East Sea before curving to the Gulf of Thailand to the west – creating the country’s famous “S” shape.
INFORMATION
WHEN TO GO Vietnam is a year-round destination, but visiting between March to April is typically the best time, as the temperatures are moderate and rainfall is light
GETTING AROUND Getting around Vietnam is relatively convenient with Cyclos, or bicycle rickshaws, available in many places. However, drivers have a tendency to ask for outrageous sums so be sure to negotiate fiercely and settle on a price before climbing aboard! In larger cities, you can also get around by train, bus and boat
This story is from the AG 01/2021 - 146 edition of ASIAN Geographic.
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This story is from the AG 01/2021 - 146 edition of ASIAN Geographic.
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