HOI AN

Greetings earthlings. For today’s entry, I will be writing about Hoi An or once known as Faifo. Hmm with more than 2,000 years, history was the principal port of the Cham Kingdom which controlled the strategic spice trade with Indonesia from the 7^th to the 10^th century and was a major international port in the 16^th and 17^th centuries – and the foreign influences are discernible to this day. Ahaa are you peeps still following me or not? Yes, I know history can sometimes be boring but heyy it’s good to expand your knowledge okay. 

Let’s proceed shall we?

In Hoi An, the culture and heritage is mostly from the Cham people whose kingdom originally stretched from Hue South to Phan Thiet (South of Nha Trang). The Cham people were Hindu and by the 10^th century the influence of Arab traders to Hoi An resulted in some converting to become Muslims.

The second major influence was from the Chinese, firstly from traders but especially the escaping Ming Dynasty armies who after settling in Hoi An for some years moved further south and created Saigon as a major trading port.

The third and last major influence of culture and heritage was from the Vietnamese.

People of earth hmm what else you wanna know? Well, let me tell you this - Hoi An is a well preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. The buildings and street plan reflects the influences, both indigenous and foreign. 

Many tourists visit for the numerous art and craft shops and tailors. Not to forget, Hoi An packs in lots of affordable accommodation, budget shopping, authentic eating experiences and interesting sights which are best explored on foot. So earthlings, what are you waiting for? 

Hoi An is definitely one of the must places to visit when you go to Vietnam. Hmm if you still don't believe the beauty of Hoi An, then watch the video below. I know you'll be mesmerized by it. 

Okay, that's all for now earthlings. I'll see you in the next entry *muah muah*

DALAT

Greeting earthlings. We meet again ayyy. So before I start, I would like to point out to those who have been loyal to me since my first entry, I just wanna say you peeps are just amazing. You spent your precious time just to read my blog AWWW. Okay okay, excuse my hmm ‘gedikness’. Let’s proceed to the real reason why you’re here… uhh obviously to catch up with the latest entry. Am I right? Or am I right?

In the last entry, I wrote about Hanoi. So, did you liked that entry? I hope you did. For today’s entry, this sister is gonna write about Dalat.

Dalat is the capital of Lam Dong Province in Vietnam. The city is located 1,500 m above sea level on the Langbian Plateau in the southern parts of the Central Highlands region. For your information, Dalat is the stepping stone to the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Anyways, Dalat - a young city located at Tay Nguyen has become a common place for Vietnamese people and international visitors. Dalat was formed in 1983 when Dr. Alexandre Yersin set foot on Lam Vien plateau and thanks to that, he had a very convincing idea when Paul Doumer, the governor general of the French Indocina looked for a high location to create a resort. Since then, Dalat city was gradually formed and also had its ups and downs.

Hmm I know you earthlings are not so fond of reading, right? No worries, as usual I have included a video of Dalat for you peeps to watch. Well, this video doesn't really talk about the history of Dalat but instead it shows how beautiful Dalat is. And I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the video just like how I did. 

Okay, that's all for now earthlings. I'll see you in the next entry *muah muah* 

HANOI

Greetings earthlings. I’m back for the hmm I can’t remember oh how many times but yeahh I’m back. So, did you people miss me? HAHAHA don’t answer that.

Today’s entry, this sister will be writing about Hanoi YEAY. Okay, I don’t want to waste any of your time, so I’m gonna get started. Hmm the site where Hanoi stands today has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Emperor Ly Thai To moved his capital here in the AD 1010, naming it Thang Long (City of the Soaring Dragon). The decision by Emperor Gia Long, founder of the Nguyen dynasty in 1802, to rule from Hue relegated Hanoi to the status of a regional capital for a century.

Hmm down the centuries, Hanoi has been called many names including Dong Kinh (Eastern Capital), from which the Europeans derived the name they eventually applied to all of northern Vietnam. The city was named Hanoi (The City in the Bend of the River) by Emperor Tu Duc in 1831. From 1902 to 1953, Hanoi served as the capital French Indochina.

So, you peeps still there? I know, I know this is a lot of information for you to suck in but I’m telling you it’s actually pretty interesting. Bear in mind, these entries that I’m writing (regarding the places in Vietnam), hmm I’m explaining to you peeps about their history. Yes, history. I know even the word history can bore people but I just feel like you earthlings can gain a lot of input from reading the histories of the places in Vietnam.

Okay, this sister got a surprise for you YEAY. I know it's tiring to read this entry and so that is why i included a short video of Hanoi. I mean if you earthlings don't feel like reading the long and boring text, it's fine. You can just watch the video. And hopefully, you'll see the beautiful Hanoi. 

Okay, that’s all for now earthlings. I’ll see you in the next entry *muah muah*

HO CHI MINH CITY

Greetings earthlings. Hello, hello and hi. I’m glad you peeps are willing to lend some of your precious time to read this blog. I’m so touched. Anyways, for those who have been following me since day one you all should now know a bit about Vietnam. Well hmm if you’re still confused or still have no idea about Vietnam, its fine. You can always read my blog again and again uhh that’s if you’re willing to.

Okayyy, enough of that. For today’s entry I will be writing about Ho Chi Minh City. A few years back, I used to live in that city. Oh boy, I had the time of my life there. I enjoyed every moment during my time there. Although there were times where I felt kinda bored because of the same routine I had going on there. But still, this sister likey Ho Chi Minh City very much :) 

Ho Chi Minh City or referred by some Vietnamese as Saigon lays on the right bank of the Saigon River, a tributary of the Dong Nai, Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is known to be the largest city, the greatest port and the commercial and industrial center of Vietnam. It has an airport and is the focus of the country’s highways, railroads and Mekong delta waterways.

The local economy of Ho Chi Minh City was disrupted during the early years of the regime, which curtailed foreign investment and promoted collectivization. In the 1980s and 1990s, conditions improved as the city gradually adapted to the new system and the government relaxed its economic policy. There is growing industrial base which includes the manufacture of home appliances, clothing and shoes as well as automobile assembly. Hmm what I’m trying to say is that Ho Chi Minh City is actually developing into a very modern place.

As usual, this sister attached a video down below so that you earthlings can have a look at it. No need to search it on Youtube - you can just come swing by this blog and check out this video yourself. You won't regret it. I mean if you were to regret, I wouldn't have added the video in. Honestly, I care about you earthlings out there. I want you to enjoy reading this blog because (you gotta admit) this blog is something, ain't she?

Okay, that's all for now earthlings. I'll see you in the next entry *muah muah* 

VIETNAMESE CULTURE

Greetings earthlings. A question, do you find my blog to be interesting yet? Or is it still boring to you? Hmm if you feel that this blog is somewhat boring uhh please leave a comment okay? I mean if you have tips and ideas on how I can improve this blog, I would love to hear it from you earthlings. And no worries, I won’t take it to heart if you leave any comments. Wow, I sound kinda serious there HAHAHA.

Anyways, moving on to the serious issue well hmm not so serious issue. For today’s blog entry, I will be talking about the Vietnamese culture and tradition. Hmm sounds kinda boring right? But have no fear earthlings, I will try to make it uhh less boring. So, what do you guys know about Vietnam? Besides the part where tourists go there to shop. I mean do you really know know Vietnam? Okay hmm obviously this blog is for you earthlings to gain knowledge about Vietnam uhh so I’m gonna start.

Vietnam culture is said to be one of the oldest in Southeast Asia. The name Vietnam originated in 1803 when envoys from the newly founded Nguyen dynasty travelled to Beijing to establish diplomatic relations with the Chinese court. The new emperor has chosen the name Nam Viet for his kingdom. The word Viet, he derived from the tradition name for the Vietnamese imperial domain and its people in what is now northern and central Vietnam. Nam had been added to acknowledge the expansion of the dynasty’s domain into lands to the south. The Chinese objected to this new name because it was the same as an ancient state that had rebelled against Chinese rule. They therefore changed it to Viet Nam.

The story of the origin of Vietnam’s name captures several prominent themes that have run throughout the nation’s history. As the usage of Viet indicates, the Vietnamese have for centuries had a sense of the distinctiveness of their society and culture. However, as the inclusion of Nam shows, the land they inhabit has expanded over time and also has its own internal divisions into northern, central and southern regions.

This entry is sorta like the history of Vietnam. But this one is in terms of the culture. I know I know, its full of facts and text. Some of you might not enjoy this entry - not a problem. I can assure you that my upcoming entries will be more interesting. Well at least I'll try to make it interesting. 

Okay, that’s all for now earthlings. I’ll see you in the next entry *muah muah*

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Greetings earthlings, we meet again. So, if you’ve read my first entry then you should know that I will be writing about *drumrolls please* Vietnam, the land I call my second home. 

Okay, let’s get started shall we? First of all, everything in this world has their own history. So, let’s go through the history of Vietnam. For your information, I do like history but when there’s a lot of facts hmm I don’t like it that much. But in this entry, I’ll try to make it as simple so that you earthlings can understand it more. Don’t worry, there will be images and videos. So it’s not gonna be all text and facts.

Let me tell you earthlings a bit about Vietnam. Hmm Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It has an estimated 90.5 million inhabitants as of 2014. And I’m pretty sure the numbers have increased since then. Oh, Vietnam is the world’s 13^th most populous country and the 8^th most populous Asian country. Wow hmm just wow. People of earth, come on I think Vietnam deserves a round of applause *clap* Vietnam has a history as rich and evocative as anywhere on the planet. Indeed the American War in Vietnam captured the attention of the West, but centuries before that Vietnam was scrapping with the Chinese, the Khmers, the Chams and the Mongols. Vietnamese civilization is as sophisticated as that of its mighty northern neighbour China, from where it drew many of its influences under a thousand-year occupation. Wuuu so how are we getting on so far? You earthlings still following me or not? If you are then proceed on with your readings. 

ANCIENT VIETNAM

The Chinese ruled northern Vietnam for more than 1,000 years and Chinese civilization had a great impact on the Vietnamese. However in South Vietnam, there was Indian influence. From the 1st century to the 6th century AD the southernmost part of Vietnam was part of a state called Funan. In the middle of Vietnam, an Indian influenced state called Champa arose in the 2nd century AD. 

HISTORY OF VIETNAM

In the north, Ho Chi Minh introduced a Communist regime while in the south Ngo Dinh Diem became ruler. However in the early 1960s, South Vietnam was rocked by demonstrations and in 1963 Diem was ousted in a coup. 

1950 - USA became involved in the Vietnam War. The US sent military advisers to South Vietnam. They supported the French and later the South Vietnamese government. 

1959 - The North Vietnamese began a long guerrilla war to reunite Vietnam under Communist rule. They were known as the Vietcong. 

1964 - Two US ships were supposedly subject to 'unprovoked' attacks by the North Vietnamese. 

1968 - The Vietcong launched the Tet offensive in towns and cities across South Vietnam. The American troops eventually withdrew.

1970 - The Khmer Rouge made attacks on Vietnam. The Vietnamese occupied Cambodia in 1978 and stayed until 1989. 

1986 - The Vietnamese government introduced market reforms. As a result, the Vietnamese began to grow rapidly. 

Today, the Vietnamese economy is booming and Vietnam is being transformed into an industrial country. Tourism is an important industry in Vietnam. 

There you have it folks, the history of Vietnam. Well, it's not as detailed as other websites but I hope you understand (if not a lot then a bit) about Vietnam's history. 

Oh, if you earthlings don't feel like reading the text it's all good. Down below, I have attached a video that I got from Youtube - it's about the history of Vietnam. Hmm the video however is in Vietnamese but don't worry, it has English subtitles. Honestly I find this video to be quite interesting and I hope you earthlings feel the same way. 

Okay, that's all for now earthlings. I'll see you in the next entry *muah muah*

HELLO THERE

Greetings earthlings. Have you ever heard of the country Vietnam? Well, I’m pretty sure you have right? Nowadays, Vietnam is said to be quite ‘popular’ with tourists… especially Malaysians. Why I mentioned Malaysian tourists is because *drumrolls please* I am a Malaysian citizen. Ahaaa, I actually see no relevance there but whatever. So, a brief introduction about me. You earthlings can call me Nanu. I am 19+1 years old. And I like to travel *if possible* around the world. Throughout my life, I’ve been moving here and there due to my dad’s work. I’ve been to Australia, Myanmar and Vietnam. Not to forget, I’ve also been to other countries as well. 

Anyways, the reason why I made this blog is because this is part of my assignment. Yes earthlings, I repeat this blog is my assignment. So for this blog, the topic that I chose to do on is Vietnam. Since I’ve stayed there for almost 3 years and a half, it’s sort of hmm can be called my second home. Bear with me earthlings, I will be writing more blog entries on Vietnam. Everything you can think of, I will write about it. Well hmm I’ll try to cover as much as I can. But seriously, there will be more entries. So I call upon you earthlings to come and embark on this blog journey with me. Because if you do, then you’re awesome. And if you don’t wanna go on this fun journey with me then you are hmm I don’t wanna say it but uhh not awesome. Hahaha, I’m just teasing you. I don’t mean that for reals. So, what are you waiting for? If you like where I’m going with this then don’t be shy to read my upcoming entries on Vietnam. 

Okay, that's all for now earthlings. I'll see you in the next entry *muah muah*