"Forgiveness and Sorrow"

Fron North to South, traveling historically, through each Dynasty, to French occupation, Liberation with Ho Chi Minh, to the Vietnam War, you will be illuminated as to an understanding of its history and people.

In Hanoi, the ideology of communism permeates daily life, yet it is proclaimed that any and all religions are acceptable. 54% have quietly retained Buddhism.

In Danang and Saigon, a tour of the war museum and the Cu Chi tunnels is impressive if not horrific. For those wishing to escape the war history, it is impossible. Every person has a story of a relative or friend lost. And to not be informed would be to miss a very important aspect of Vietnamese culture.

We recommend a complete North to South itinerary to experience the distinctions, politically, culturally and socially.

The countryside itself is of extraordinary beauty and a trip to the hill tribes in Sapa and Dalat is certainly worthwhile to learn about the 54 minority groups in Vietnam.

I, travelling by overnight train and Russian jeep to Sapa, rode three hours over a road that was not yet completed, while workers hand picked the granite crushing it to gravel, to be completed by Spring 03.

The Vietnamese people have an incredible capacity to bear loss and offer forgiveness. Every visitor will come home enriched.

GOLDEN FISH TRAVELSis a USA based Asia travel agent, specializes in Vietnam Tourism, Vietnam Travel and Vietnam Tours.