Siddharth Travels-Top tour operator india, Vietnam Tour, Places of Interest

Both were heavily damaged during the Tet Offensive of 1968, when the Communists took the city from the South and held it for 3 weeks. The walls of the Citadel bear witness to the terrible fighting that went on within and are riddled with shrapnel and bullet holes. Now thanks to UNESCO funding, much of the City is being faithfully restored to its former glory. The Imperial City, created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, has many palaces and temples inside.

Further echoes of the Imperial age can be found in Hue's surrounding countryside. Here several of the tombs of former Emperors can be found. One of the most impressive tombs, that of Emperor Minh Mang, is set within a beautiful landscaped garden. It is said that it took 13 years to find an appropriate burial site for the Emperor, and upon arrival it's not hard to see why they eventually chose this location. Set on the banks of the Perfume River and surrounded by beautiful rolling hills it is a tranquil and idyllic place.

When you tire of sightseeing do try some Hue cuisine, widely acknowledged to be some of the best in Vietnam.

Hoi An
Hoi An, formerly known as Faifo lies a mere 32 km to the south of Danang. From the 16th to late 19th century this quaint riverside town was one of the busiest trading ports on the South China Sea coast. Merchants from Europe, the Middle East, China and Japan used to congregate here to trade. Hoi An was fortunate enough to be on the famous silk route linking India and the subcontinent to China and the Far East. It was only towards the end of the 19th century that the Thu Bon River began to silt up, causing shipping and consequently business to head to nearby Danang. Today Hoi An is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. With its colorful blend of Chinese Assembly Halls, narrow winding streets and ancestral family homes the town retains a feeling of ages past. The town's five Chinese Assembly Halls and temples were built by the large Chinese merchant community that used to live here. Each clan would have it's own hall and temple where they could discuss social and business affairs. One of the most spectacular Assembly Halls is the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, built in 1690. The pagoda inside contains intricate statues and artwork, in part dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the Goddess of the Sea and protector of fishermen.

Another interesting site is the Japanese Covered Bridge, the unofficial emblem of the town. It is over 400 years old and was probably constructed to link the Japanese and Chinese communities.

Apart from the obvious historical interest, which led to the entire old quarter being designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the town has a great variety of shops and restaurants serving such local delicacies as Cao Lau - a thick noodle soup made with water from one particular well. Hoi An is also renowned for its high number of tailors' shops - you could easily have a new wardrobe fitted here!

For many people coming from the hustle and bustle of Vietnam's larger cities, Hoi An can almost seem like an oasis. The lack of cars and motorbikes coupled with the town's pleasant riverside setting means that most visitors choose to stay for a few days. If you do tire of the town itself why not hop on a bicycle and pedal the 4km to the nearby Cua Dai beach.

Da Nang
Da Nang is the homeland of Vietnam's Hindu Cham culture, driven out by the Vietnamese in the 17th century. See eerie Buddhist shrines in the caves of the Marble Mountains. Visit China Beach, the R&R site during the Vietnam War. Or head out to Hoi An with its Old Asia Charm.