In what seems like just a few years, Vietnam has gone from an almost isolated pariah to booming international player. While the country still does present some challenges for the traveler, most agree that it's well worth the effort. Your trip to Vietnam will most likely begin at one of the two major cities, at opposite ends of the country and once on opposite sides of war.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of the unified Vietnam, and one of the oldest cities in the country, at just over 1,000 years old. There are some ancient temples and other structures to see, as well as more modern remnants of the French rule.

Ho Chi Minh City

Once the capital of South Vietnam, and the headquarters of the French for all of Indochina, Ho Chi Minh City will probably always be know as Saigon to many people.

Hue

The city of Hue, near the center of Vietnam, was the imperial capital of the country from the eighteenth century until early in the twentieth. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Although parts of the city were badly damaged during the American war, there is still a lot to see in the old city, and it's well worth spending several days here.