The weekly feature Viaggli of Italian daily Le Repubblica recently introduced foreign visitors to major tourist attractions in Viet Nam, including capital Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and some others in the northern mountainous region.
The author of the article travelled the length and breadth of northern Viet Nam, from capital Hanoi to the northern border province of Quang Ninh and mountainous provinces of Hoa Binh, Lai Chau and Yen Bai.
In the story Hanoi was described as a bustling, crowded city with major tourist spots such as President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam (Viet Nam’s first university), Hoan Kiem (Restored Sword) lake, Ngoc Son temple, and the Old Quarter.
The author was impressed by a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre near Hoan Kiem Lake, and a tour of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology featuring cultural customs of 54 different ethnic groups.
In Quang Ninh province, the author enjoyed cruising around Ha Long bay, a World Natural Heritage site recognised by UNESCO in 1994.
He then travelled to the northern mountainous localities where he met and talked with local ethnic people, sampled specialities, and did some sightseeing.
The author also introduced the breathtaking and romantic beauty of the Sapa tourist resort and a five-day adventure tour of Fansipan Mountain peak, about 3,143 metres above sea level.