Vietnam

Vietnam is a beautiful country, steeped in history and very affordable to western visitors. The country used to be split in two - North and South Vietnam - each with differing political and economic ideals.

The revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh, unified the country in the mid 70's and the Southern capital city Saigon, was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after "Uncle Ho."

HCMC is still affectionately called Saigon by locals and both names are in everyday use, so don't get confused they relate to the same place!

Hanoi is the official capital city and remains the communist and academic centre. Saigon is far more westernized and capitalist - it's the big city, where money talks and life is 24/7/364.

Vietnam has approximately 90 million inhabitants, with 10 million living in greater Saigon. The people are incredibly friendly, very intrigued by the western world and keen to practice their english skills with tourists.

Whilst tourism has risen exponentially over the last few years, you may be treated as a "bit of a novelty" on occasions.
If you haven't visited Asia before then hold onto your hats - it's an amazing place, very different to the western world, people jest about things being upside down in Australia compared to the UK, but in Asia it really is true... as you'll discover...