Vietnam - a Southeast Asian state, officially a Socialist Republic with a very young population. The mountains in the centre towards Laos are rugged and difficult to access. Despite the war, animal species that were recently discovered or are still being discovered have survived in these areas. But I didn't notice anything from this part of the country. I was able to visit Hanoi, the capital and the famous Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. It was May, extremely hot and humid, certainly not recommended for sensitive visitors to travel at this time of year. In Vietnam you are largely ignored as a visitor, unless you are interested in one of the numerous goods that are offered on the roadside. Actually, everything can be bought that way, there are hardly any department stores. The hotel rooms could be a bit unusual for western travellers. Only with luck you can get one with a window.