According to an ancient tale, the Vietnamese people arose from a union between Lac Long Quan , a sea dragon, and Au Co, a northern mountain princess. Princess Au Co bore Lac Long Quan 100 children , half of whom followed their father to the sea , while half settled to the high mountains with their mother . These magic children, says the legend, were the forefathers of the Vietnamese people- a race with the mountains and the sea in their veins.
At this legend suggests, Vietnam's past is entwined with that of its huge northern neighbor . In the 2nd century BC, northern invaders conquered the Red River Delta, establishing a 1,000-year pattern of foreign control and Vietnamese revolts. While Chinese culture had a profound impact on Vietnam, Vietnam's national identity remained stubbornly intact, sustained by tales of against-all-odds resistance. The most famous revolutionaries of this era were the Trung Sisters, two women who led a successful rebellion against the Chinese in 40AD. When the better-equipped invaders returned and defeat was inevitable, the two heroines threw themselves into a river.
Self-sacrifice, tenacity and a fierce national pride have allowed the Vietnamese to remain independent, fighting off waves of northern invaders, French colonialists and American forces. In Vietnam, this heroic past infuses the present. Whether you visit crowded shrines devoted to 13th century generals, tour museums detailing the bravery of colonial-era freedom fighters, or crawl through the underground tunnels where Vietnamese soldiers planned their daring strike on the former American Embassy, you will feel the irrepressible strength of Vietnam's fascinating history.
THE ARTS
Traditional music, folk operas and theatre, a strong literary tradition, and talented painters who blend East and West make Vietnam's fine arts a joy to discover. You will find everything from classical Chinese-style operas to traditional ethnic minority dances, to vibrant symphony orchestras and ballets. Cheo folk operas are still performed at many temple festivals, as are martial arts displays and Vietnamese water puppet shows. Water puppetry, or roi nuoc, is believed to have originated in the Red River Delta in the 11th century. Traditionally performed outdoors with a village pool or lake as a stage, the show features colorful wooden puppets, accompanied by a live orchestra . The puppets rise out of the water, controlled by unseen puppeteers now stage regular shows in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
THE CUISINE
Along with exploring new cultures, one of the great joys of travel is the discovery of new cuisines. Those unfamiliar with Vietnamese food are in for a treat, as the national cuisines is flavorful, colorful and extremely healthy . In the south, the food tends to be spicier, while the northern cuisine has more Chinese elements. French influence is also apparent. You'll see women on street conners selling fresh baguettes, and shops advertising pate and pastries. The French also introduced cafe culture. Vietnam's Central Highlands produce some of the most aromatic coffee beans in the world, as well as black and green tea.
The Vietnamese word for meal, 'com', also translates as 'rice', and no Vietnamese meal is complete without it . Rice noodle soups with chicken or beef, know as pho , are a Vietnamese staple, as are thin circles of rice paper, which are wrapped burrito-style around fresh herbs and greens, grilled fish and meats and soft rice noodles. Nem (in the north) or cha gio (in the south) are bite-sized, fried spring rolls, which are another Vietnamese classic. Beef, chicken and fork are common ingredients, and with its long coastline , Vietnam offers delectable, fresh seafood. Dishes to try include cha ca, filleted fish grilled over charcoal, muc xao chua ngot , sweet and sour squid, and tom bao mia , grilled shrimp with sugarcane. Another highlight is the abundance of fresh fruit. Along with tropical favorites like mangoes, pineapples and melons, Vietnam's orchards product exotic fruit like blue dragon fruit, star fruit and mangos teens.