Out of the Way Destination in Vietnam
Vietnam is an amazing place offering a stunning variety of landscapes, people and cultures to discover. The 1000 year old capital Hanoi, the ancient town of Hoi An, the elegant imperial capital Hue and the modern, bustling metropolis Ho Chi Minh City are, for good reason, popular tourist destinations and they are all well worth visiting. However, there are also many other places that do not receive a lot of foreign visitors, yet still deserve to be seen.
I have been fortunate enough to spend time in Nam Dinh city and province, an easy two hour drive from Hanoi, which I think warrants more attention from tourists interested in Vietnamese culture, as well as those who want a glimpse of what Hanoi must have been like about 25 years ago before its rapid surge into the “modern” world.
Nam Dinh city is a relaxed provincial capital with a slower pace of life that is quintessentially Vietnamese. There are virtually no foreigners and not many people speak English, or any other foreign language, very fluently. But the people are friendly and, as a foreigner, you will experience genuine Vietnamese hospitality that can sometimes be a bit diluted in the major tourist destinations.
The drive from Hanoi to Nam Dinh is an interesting illustration of Vietnam’s recent development and progression towards “industrialisation and modernisation.” You will see major construction occurring alongside rice fields being ploughed with water buffaloes, pass through developing new towns and, drawing closer to Nam Dinh, local shops along the highway producing stone carvings, elegant wooden furniture and, always, the bucolic landscape that represents Vietnam to many foreign visitors.
Nam Dinh is only just beginning to develop its tourism industry but it has a lot to offer. Tourist facilities such as hotels and restaurants serving western food are still limited, but I think more are planned for the future.
The obvious main attraction is the temple and pagoda complex just outside the city center associated with General Tran Hung Dao, a major figure in Vietnamese history, but a foray into the rural communes with a good driver and interpreter (if you don’t speak Vietnamese) will provide insights into the lives of ordinary Vietnamese people during this time of historical transition. Nam Dinh province is known for producing scholars, spectacular bonsai trees, and tiny, delicious “king’s bananas,” as well as delectable peanut candy and, in my opinion, very good bread. It also has a surprising number of Catholic churches, although I am not sure how may are open to the public.
Nam Dinh is definitely worth a visit if your time allows. It may not have the most spectacular sights in the country, but it will give you an insight into ordinary life in contemporary Vietnam you may not get elsewhere. Any tour company offering customized services should easily be able to arrange a day or two there and, depending on your personal interests, I do not think you will be disappointed.
If you need more information about Vietnam Tours (English) Visit: http://www.vietnamparadisetravel.com or
Voyage Vietnam (French) Visit:http://www.vietnamparadisvoyage.com
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