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Reasons to go to Việt Namvolunteer [ travel ] adopt teach Hidden along the coast of SE Asia, this narrow strip of land has been a secret vacation spot of French, Russians and Australians for decades, but suddenly the world is waking up the grandeur of this sliver of a country. Vietnam has an incredibly long history and what makes for some of the most interesting jaunts and sights to see around the country. Of course, as adults we're more interested in those glimpses into history than children tend to be. But armed with a bit of knowledge, even historical sites can be interesting. Just shorten the stay at each, dependent on the age of the kids. Older kids can take in more info than the younger set, to be sure. The trick, it seems to me, for traveling the country with kids is to take their needs and temperament into consideration. For interesting glances into Vietnam's history, be sure to visit Ha Noi (the current capitol), Hue and Hoa Lu (former capitols). There are plenty of other places that incorporate history, especially the American War history, including Da Nang, Ha Noi, Hue, My Lai and Ho Chi Minh City (Sai Gon). Most astonishing to many is the natural beauty of Vietnam; its varied landscape amazes and inspires. Rice fields cover much of the land outside of the cities and there are always different stages of rice crops growing in the same area. You may see a field being harvested by women in nón (cone hats) next to another field with the smallest little plants growing up out of the water and in another a woman, hunched from years of labor, will be spreading seeds over an already growing crop. The limestone karsts that dot the areas of Ninh Binh and in Ha Long Bay are some of the most widely spread visuals of Vietnam, but often misunderstood. Rather than being what we commonly understand as islands, the karst formations are what is left over after so much of the surrounding limestone and soil has eroded away. It's phenomenal to see the resulting island and their interior caves (in Ha Long Bay), even without understanding any of the geology. Read up on it a bit before you see it; the kids and you will be awestruck by the power of nature. Of course, some people travel for the varied culture and cuisine. You'll find no shortage of excellent and enchanting food, to be sure. While rice and rice noodles are the staples for nearly every meal, meat and vegetables provide substance and are eaten in surprisingly large amounts. Move outside the big cities tourist areas to find more interesting dining, such as snake, cat, dog, goat and pretty much anything from the sea. While there are at least 54 ethnic groups in the country, most belong the Viet (or Kinh) line. To visit other ethnic groups, take a trip to Sa Pa where they put on a show of sorts for the tourists, wearing traditional clothing and making handicrafts. Many other groups live in small groups in the Central Highlands, but those are more difficult to reach for tourists. Without going anywhere, but Ha Noi, you can pick up plenty of souvenirs made by H'Mong or Thai people. Traveling in-country is made easier by an efficient, if not luxurious, railway system. It's simple and a great price for the distances you'll travel, though don't expect any extra comforts. It's basic and works well almost all the time. Only once were we more than 5 minutes late arriving at any station. The Vietnamese people, as a whole, love children and will love yours just as much (or more!). This is wonderful, yet can be a bit overwhelming for young kids. Be sure to prepare for the very real chance (especially young girls) that they will be grabbed at, pulled over for photos and hugged without warning. [Our companion, Summer, broke into tears after being pulled into yet another photograph!] You'll never fit it all into a two- or three-week trip, so plan according to your needs and the weather. We stayed for nearly seven months and never even made it south of My Lai, so don't expect too much. Take your time and enjoy what you can. If you are like most travelers to Vietnam, you'll make plans to come back again (and again).
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