The romance of IndoChina as
well as its turbulent recent history makes Vietnam
an interesting destination for travellers. Combining
natural beauty, a nascent capitalism and a rich
history, a journey to Vietnam is best prepared for
by an understanding of the recent events of Vietnam.
Much of the tourist attractions in Vietnam revolve
around lores- from the flamboyance and eccentricity
belying Khai Dinh’s tombs to the car of the ‘Burning
Monk’ on display in the museum of Hue, the karsts of
Ha Long Bay forever immortalized in mainstream
consciousness through Catherine Deneuve’s
‘Indochine’ or the legends of snakes appearing at
full moon in isolated caves formerly the repository
of arms during the Vietnam War.
Luxury travel in Vietnam is associated with the most
luxurious hotels the country has to offer and the
most luxurious modes of transfer but is also about
privileged access- Urbane Nomads is able to arrange
for treks through Mai Chau Valley , yoga for groups
in the aforementioned cave ‘formerly used as an arms
repository’ and privileged access, which includes
pre-dinner drinks at the former Ambassador’s House
in Saigon or a ceremonial wedding as led by an
ancestor of the ruling Nguyen family.
Photo courtesy of Adrian Jason Chan Yen Liang