In the north of Vietnam close to Hanoi lies the Red River Delta. This amazing flood plain is the largest rice growing area in the entire country. It is scenically just wonderful, with streams, rivers and mangroves cutting in between the land areas. The area also includes of course the famous Halong Bay. This water way paradise is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country. There are two UNESCO World Heritage sites within the Bay, that has also been voted as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature in a global poll. One thousand six hundred islands and six hundred square miles of sea, combine to form the most amazing biosphere, probably on the planet.
Vietnam is a superbly diverse country, both geographically and culturally and this whole region stands up with the best parts. The people who live in the area are equally as diverse. Ethnic minorities hold a very specially place in the make-up of this country. In the delta they have lived a life unchanged for centuries. They understand, instinctively the need to preserve their environment. An old proverb in the region says, “However limpid or muddy it might be, the native village pond is the best.”
Visitors to Vietnam who use Hanoi as a base, are within striking distance of so much scenic beauty, it is hard to do it justice. Apart from the bay and the delta itself, Hanoi offers much to tourists who enjoy city life. The Old Quarter with its French colonial buildings and its chic arts and café scene is fast becoming a Mecca for trendy young people. Local companies in Hanoi offer walking or cycling tours both within and without of the city. These tours are gaining in popularity and are a great way of seeing the local life and engaging with local people.
Food in the whole Red River Delta area is extremely good and varied. It is known for having five distinctive flavors, taste, spicy, sour, bitter, salt and sweet. It is being able to gain a balance of these five ‘elements’ as they are known, that gives the food its distinctive flavor. Traditional dishes from the region are admired throughout the whole country for their low fat content and superb use of fresh vegetables. The people here seem to instinctively understand the need for a healthy balance to any food.
Anyone coming to Vietnam for a holiday should really investigate the delta area more. There is a tendency for people to fly into Hanoi, enjoy a few days in the city, then spend two or three days in Halong Bay before moving on. Anyone spending the time and trouble to get out into the delta and see the local people will be rewarded with an experience they will never forget. These people are humble and gracious and always welcome strangers into their midst. As with many people in the world it seems that the less they have the more they are willing to share. The Red River Delta never disappoints.