Vietnam is an absolute paradise, a country of considerable beauty that has managed to find a way to persevere gracefully through the enduring legacy of the Indochina Wars. Many visitors may begin their Vietnam vacation in major cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, spending time with the temples or popularized art and theater. Word to the wise: you’ll get even more from your Vietnam vacation package if it includes a trip to Vietnam’s striking landscape, outside of the main cities.

Vietnam weather varies by region, especially between the north and south divide. In the northern region, which includes cities like Hanoi, Vietnam vacations from May to October will be humid with rainfall, whereas winter and spring months will be cool and dry. However, keep in mind that Vietnam weather in this region can drop to staggeringly low temperatures in December and January. Traveling south, vacationers in Southern Vietnam will enjoy a dry climate and hot temperatures from November to April. Try to avoid visiting this region of the country in the summer, as June, July and August deliver vast quantities of rainfall, an impediment for those on Vietnam cruises or outdoor adventures.

After decades of ravaging war, Vietnam is resilient with change and progress. Vietnam roads are being upgraded and access to remote parts of the country is constantly improving. The most common forms of transportation in Vietnam include taxis and motorbikes. In smaller cities where traffic is not as prevalent, visitors can travel Vietnam by cyclo, or bicycle rickshaw. To get from city to city during your travel to Vietnam, the best way to travel the country may be to take a privately operated bus by land, fly, or a Vietnam cruise by sea. Regardless of which transportation method you prefer, TravelStore can readily arrange your Vietnam vacation transportation.

There are many fine-dining venues in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, though some of the most authentic Vietnamese dishes will be found at roadside eateries and street markets. Some standouts include: Pho, Vietnam’s signature dish, comprising rice noodles in a flavorful broth with meat and greens, bean sprouts, lime, and fresh herbs and onions. Pho Ga is with chicken and Pho Bo is with beef. Banh mi is Vietnam's version of a hoagie, a French-Vietnamese sandwich on a toasted baguette, with meat fillings--heo quay (roasted pork belly), trung op la (fried egg), thit nuong (grilled pork loin), cha ca (fried fish with turmeric and dill), cha lua (boiled sausages), xa xiu (Chinese barbecued pork), and thit ga (poached chicken)--and pickled vegetables, butter, soy sauce, cilantro, chillies, and hot peppers. Banh xeo is like a pancake made of rice flour, coconut milk and turmeric, filled with vermicelli noodles, chicken, pork or beef slices, shrimps, sliced onions, beansprouts, and mushrooms. Goi cuon are Vietnamese spring rolls in translucent banh trang (rice papers) that can be dipped into ground chillies and a hoisin dipping sauce. Bun thit nuong comprises thin vermicelli rice noodles, chopped lettuce, sliced cucumber, bean sprouts, pickled daikon, basil, chopped peanuts, and mint, topped with grilled pork shoulder. Banh Xeo are yellow pancakes filled with a mix of ingredients including pork, shrimp and vegetables. Bun Bo Hue is beef noodle soup with lemongrass, shrimp paste and lime juice. Ca kho is a braised catfish fillet caramelized in a thick gravy. A local sweet treat is egg coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) made with egg yolks, sugar and condensed milk. There's far more, but you'll just have to visit Vietnam for the rest.

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places (L. Ly Hayslip), Fire in the Lake: The Vietnamese and Americans in Vietnam (F. Fitzgerald), The Best and the Brightest (D. Halberstam), The Quiet American (G. Greene), The Things They Carried (T. O’Brien), The Sympathizer (V. T. Nguyen), Close Quarters (L. Heinemann), Dog Soldiers (R. Stone), The Mountains Sing (N. Phan Quế Mai).