This guidebook examines the many travel pleasures and shopping treasures found in Vietnam. Top
 

From the early Christian era in Europe, Southeast Asia was known as the "Land of Gold." It is a region blessed with a rich diversity of cultures, peoples, and scenery. A Traveller's History of Southeast Asia is a lucid and concise introduction to the histories of the modern states of Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and East Timor, providing an essential guide for tourists and general readers alike.
The book spans the history of the region from "Java Man" some one million years ago to the development of the high-tech, skyscraper cities of the new millennium. It journeys through the classical kingdoms that produced such architectural marvels as Borobudur in Java and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, then explores Southeast Asia's growing trade with the outside world from 1500 to its colonization in the 19th and 20th centuries by European imperial powers. Next, the region's struggles for independence in the last century are discussed in detail, as are the dramatic and tragic events of the post-independence era such as the Vietnam War and the Cambodia genocide. The book's final chapter highlights the remarkable successes and failings of the region due to recent economic development. A Traveller's History of Southeast Asia shows how the region's soul has been preserved despite tremendous external pressures. Top
 

Fodor’s See It Vietnam is perfect for travelers who want to understand Vietnamese history and culture before they arrive, and experience the country like a native while they’re there. Overflowing with brilliant color photography, this illustrated guide provides the practical information that you need while traveling–-complete restaurant and hotel reviews with exact prices for lodging and dining (not ranges); plus time-saving tips and how to avoid crowds; exact admission prices to key sights; great photo stops; and special notes on “kid-friendly” attractions throughout.

From five-star luxury hotels to family hotels and homestays with local people, Fodor’s See It Vietnam tells you what to expect in terms of surrounding neighborhoods and the exact prices of double-occupancy rooms (including breakfast), with pictures of hotel facilities and guestrooms. Restaurant reviews cover house signature dishes, ambiance, actual prices for a two-course lunch and a three-course dinner (for two people), hours of operation, and what transportation will get you there. Detailed neighborhood maps are incorporated throughout the book and a 16-page atlas details each road and path with highlights of important landmarks, parks, metro stations, and car parking areas. Top
 

"Finding untrammeled destinations has become increasingly harder in the "global village," but Footprint Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos takes the adventurous trekker to some of the lesser-traveled paths in the world. Filled with clear color maps, this authoritative guide offers candid reviews of the best places to stay, including a wide range of hostels and roadhouses. Backpackers can follow the entire length of the mighty Mekong River, stopping at historic temples, palaces, and pagodas along the way to sightsee or play. Here, too, is current information on where to buy the best silk and sample the finest cuisine in Indochina. Highlights include visits to monumental Angkor Wat and the moving Plain of Jars, a trip on the Bamboo Train, and much more." --Amazon.com Top
 

Completely revised and updated, Let's Go: Southeast Asia puts forty-five years of travel savvy at your fingertips, with helpful commentary and plenty of listings to get you where you need to be. From cosmopolitan Singapore to the most remote villages of Laos, the new edition delivers expanded cultural information, plus more study and volunteering opportunities--the tools that will help you hit the road like a seasoned traveler, not just a tourist. Whether you'd rather tempt Lady Luck at a five-star casino on the Thai-Cambodian border or watch fireflies flit off into the night in Malaysia, Let's Go's intrepid researchers ensure that you're in tune with this quickly changing region. Top
 

Available November 28, 2006 Top
 

Sit down to a steaming bowl of pho on a bustling Hanoi boulevard. Kick back on a languorous boat ride down the Mekong Delta. Swim at a secluded highlands waterfall. Welcome to Vietnam. Endless attractions and adventures await. Make your own connection to this beguiling country through Lonely Planet Vietnam. History and culture chapters offer in-depth coverage of the country's rich and dynamic heritage; new highlights, itineraries, and planning sections help you plot your path; comprehensive coverage of regional Vietnam's mountain villages, unspoiled beaches, and remote forests helps you discover the far-flung; recommendations of Vietnam's best accommodation options, from family-run guesthouses to five-star hotels, assure that you will stay in style; and detailed and cross-referenced maps, including a full-color country map, help you get around.

Prepare for sensory overload, as Vietnam is one long trip of sights, sounds and smells. The sights are spectacular, thanks to a rich civilization that has left its temples and traditions throughout the land, and a lucky hand with nature, which has dealt Vietnam breathtaking mountains, a killer coastline, and sublime scenery. A place of blessed beauty, Vietnam is blanketed from top to toe with a patchwork of emerald-green rice paddies, timelessly tended by farmers in conical hats. Top
 

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos are more accessible than ever before. For the first time in over three decades, it is possible to bicycle around Angkor Wat, motorcycle through hill tribe areas of North Vietnam, or cruise on a cargo boat through the Mekong Delta. Throughout the region, authorities are turning battlefields into marketplaces and tourist attractions. Logging thousands of kilometers by train, bus, jeep, boat, moto, bicycle, and on foot, author Michael Buckley explored all three countries extensively, getting to know the people, the customs, and the landscape. He helps you have a truly personal experience. Suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights provide you with real insights so you can decide where you should go, stay, and eat—without hassles or regrets. Complete with maps, photographs, illustrations, and special emphasis on leading destinations such as the War Crimes Museum in Saigon, Vietnam's French-built mansions and tree-shaded boulevards in Hanoi, the Angkor Wat towers, and the unspoiled natural environment and traditional culture of Laos, Moon Handbooks: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos has the tools you need to create your own unique trip. Top
 

Available October 17, 2006 Top
 

The Rough Guide to Vietnam is an indispensable handbook for Southeast Asia's most intriguing destination. It's features include: lively coverage of all the sights, from the waterborne markets of the Mekong Delta to the faded elegance of Hanoi and the dramatic mountainscapes of the north; up-to-the-minute reviews of the best places to eat, drink, and stay, for every budget; practical advice for exploring Ha Long Bay, negotiating Vietnam's land borders, and dining in street kitchens; plus authoritative background on Vietnam's religions, culture, ethnic minorities, and turbulent history. Top
 

Available October 2, 2006 Top
 

This 430-page book includes a section detailing Southeast Asia's history and covers aspects of Southeast Asian life and culture, ranging from Malaysia's ancient rainforests to delicious Thai cuisine. It also contains a country-by-country visitor's guide to the sights; a comprehensive "Travel Tips" section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers; plus many amazing photographs and 23 maps. --Amazon.com

Thailand, Burma, Laos & Cambodia, Viertnam, Malasia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines are all illuminated through the guide's evocative photography, insightful text, and incisive evaluations. Top