Introduction to Ho Chi Minh City

Years of war and a difficult reunification took their toll on Ho Chi Minh City. The bustling, French colonial city was on the skids for years. But in the 1990s, the city Westerners once knew as Saigon gradually returned to life. Ho Chi Minh's central district is still called Saigon, and the war is recalled in the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace. But visitors will also find intriguing attractions like Ben Tanh Market, sandy beaches and mouth-watering food stalls. Ho Chi Minh is a city worth exploring.
Things to Do
Vietnam is inextricably linked to war in many visitors' minds. The War Remnants Museum remembers the conflict with displays of weapons and photos that are poignant if grim. Some opt for the atmospheric Emperor Jade Pagoda with its incense and intricately carved figures. Escape the omnipresent noise and crowds exploring the wide, tree-lined boulevards laid out by the French. Ride down central Ho Chi Minh by "cyclo," or bicycle taxi, then soak up the sun at Phan Thiet beach.
Shopping
Racks of rainbow-colored silks fill stalls at the Ben Tanh Market. So do bamboo what-nots, souvenir t-shirts, cone-shaped hats and hordes of visitors. Ho Chi Minh's favorite market, Ben Tanh is an overwhelming and noisy must-see. Secure your wallet and browse, then make your way along less-crowded Le Loi Street, which sells many of the same goods. For hipper shopping, the boutiques of Dong Koi Street sell trendy clothing, cameras and watches.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Dong Koi Street has long been a center for grand hotels, cafés and bars. Grab an umbrellaed street-side table and people-watch over a Bia Saigon beer, or follow the young crowds inside for dancing and a tropical cocktail. Go2 Bar attracts everyone from backpackers to business travelers since it serves alcohol 24 hours a day; Pacharan shows sporting events on television, often features live music and has a spacious outdoor patio.
Restaurants and Dining
To get a true taste of Vietnam for mere pennies, feast on rice and vegetable dishes, noodle bowls and che, a local dessert, at open-air restaurants surrounding Ben Tanh Market. For a chaotic, unforgettable, authentic Vietnamese dinner, visitors and locals flock to Quan An Ngon Restaurant. Cooking stations prepare dishes from around the country, including bun bo (cold noodles with beef), various types of pho (noodle soups) and seafood.

Introduction to Taiwan

Taiwan, or the Republic of China, is one of Asia's industrial powerhouses, but its diverse natural assets and cultural attractions make it a draw for visitors as well. This small island nation is located southeast of the coast of mainland China with an eastern shore that rims the Pacific Ocean. Much of the island is lush forestland, but the topography includes picturesque mountains, rice fields, and balmy beaches.

Taiwan split from mainland China in 1949 during the Communist takeover and creation of the People's Republic of China, when leader Chiang Kai-shek moved his government to Taipan. Since then, Taiwan has remained an independent, self-governing nation (though China disputes its political status and continues to press for reconciliation).
Popular things to do in Taiwan include a stay in lively, high-tech Taipei and visits to its colorful street markets; tours of historic temples and museums; stays in mountain resorts (with popular hiking trails) and tropical beaches; and drives through national forests.

Introduction to Virginia Beach

　　20 miles E of Norfolk; 110 miles SE of Richmond; 207 miles S of Washington, D.C.

Just as downtown Norfolk gave itself a major face-lift, so has Virginia Beach done a bit of cosmetic surgery. The city's 20 miles of unbroken sand and surf have always lured families from throughout the region to take their annual beach vacations here. Traditionally the beach took on a certain "Redneck Riviera" flavor from Memorial Day to Labor Day. But that image is changing as new hotels and surfside parks add luster to the oceanfront area.

The actual city of Virginia Beach covers a huge geographic area between the Chesapeake Bay and the North Carolina line. There's no downtown; instead, it's like one giant suburb from Norfolk to the Atlantic Ocean. The largest commercial district is known as Pembroke, off I-64 at the intersection of Independence and Virginia Beach boulevards, where the new Town Center of Virginia Beach houses national restaurants and retailers.

You can forget all that sprawl if you're here on vacation, for the fun is at the Oceanfront, the prime resort area where you will find a solid line of big hotels, restaurants, beachwear and souvenir shops, and video-game arcades. Although resorts line the beachfront and obscure ocean views from everywhere except their own rooms, the 59-block-long Boardwalk (it's actually concrete) boasts immaculate landscaping, wood benches, small parks, a bike-skating path, public restrooms, and attractive white Colonial-style street lamps. And during the summer, the Boardwalk hosts free live entertainment most evenings.

There is more to do in Virginia Beach than lying on the sand, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and chasing dolphins offshore. Nature lovers can drive a few miles south to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which attracts migrating birds and protects several miles of beach and marshlands from development, and then walk or take a tram to the deserted beaches of False Cape State Park down by the North Carolina border. Here also is the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, the most popular museum in the state and a terrific place to take the kids even if it isn't raining. History lovers will find several sites of interest, including the First Landing Cross, where the Jamestown settlers planted their own cross on April 26, 1607.

Introduction to Montreal

　　An infectious sense of joie de vivre pervades the way this 400-year-old city presents itself and conducts its business. History feels close in the period buildings that line the streets of Old Montreal, but the city wholly embraces the modern. Buildings in unexpected shapes and colors scrape the skyline; a beautifully preserved historic district evokes the city's European heritage; and Montreal's beer culture and culinary scene rival those of its south-of-the-border compatriots.

Things to Do
A visit to Montreal starts in Old Town, or Vieux-Montreal, where restored 18th- and 19th-century architecture have been adapted for use as shops, galleries, cafes, and bars. The breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica stands as the city's spiritual heart. Montréalers come to shop, dine, and play at Plateau Mont-Royal. Take a relaxing horse-drawn calèche for the view at the top of Parc du Mont-Royal. In spring and summer, don't miss the Montreal Botanical Gardens. When it's cold, visit the Underground City to shop, dine, or see a movie -- all without donning an overcoat or putting on snow boots.
Shopping
Stylish Montreal is the place to rejuvenate a tired wardrobe. Find Quebecois and Canadian boutiques and vintage clothing stores on Saint-Denis Street and Du Mont-Royal Avenue. Sift through local arts and crafts in the shops on Saint-Paul Street, or try the cobblestone side streets of Vieux-Montreal. Markets are a great spot for local tomatoes and handmade cheeses; two of the most popular are the Atwater Market near Metro Lionel-Groulx and the huge, open-air Jean-Talon Market near Little Italy.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Much of the nightlife is clustered downtown around Crescent Street, where lively bars and discos stay open to the wee hours and residents dress to impress. Quickly emerging as a hot spot, Vieux-Montreal, especially along Saint-Paul Street, is filled with shiny cocktail bars and glitzy clubs showcasing live jazz, blues, and folk music. The city boasts its own outstanding symphony, dozens of French- and English-language theater companies.
Restaurants and Dining
Montreal's cuisine is increasingly multicultural. Fine French dining is given a Quebecois twist with locally sourced seafood, especially in the elegant ""restos"" along Sherbrooke Street. Top-quality sushi bars line Saint-Catherine Street and romantic hideaways and grills are tucked away on Amherst. Montreal is known for its smoked meat and corned beef, and the city's best brisket is served up at Schwartz's. Local love their terraces, and some of the prettiest are found on Mont-Royal.

Introduction to Hong Kong

Neon-lit skyscrapers and mirrored towers line Hong Kong's waterfront, but there's plenty of variety in this never-say-sleep city. Traditional Chinese pharmacies in Sheung Wan sell dried seahorses and ginseng, and a short Star Ferry ride away you can dine on decadent afternoon tea at the The Peninsula hotel. You can find your own pace in this speedy city, from the soothing Big Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery, to haggling for handicrafts at vibrant Temple Street Night Market.
Things to Do
The famous Star Ferry glides across tanker-filled Victoria Harbour, then take a tram a steep 1,200 feet up to Victoria Peak for panoramic views. The double-decker tram rumbles across Hong Kong island to neon-lit Causeway Bay's department stores. Office-goers crowd the sidewalks en route to work in gleaming Admiralty district, but find the city's spiritual side in Wong Tai Sin Temple, where locals light smoky incense coils and learn their fortune. After a busy day, a traditional foot massage or reflexology session around Central district will refresh you for an evening out.
Shopping
Consumerist culture is revered in Hong Kong, from jade chopsticks in Mong Kok's traditional street markets, to Chinese designer jackets in boutiques in Mid Levels. Gallery-hop along Hollywood Road for Balinese carving or traditional Indian art, and in nearby Cat Street market, haggle for old movie posters and kitschy Mao memorabilia. Technophiles will love the gadget-crammed malls in Wan Chai and Sham Shui Po where shopping around is key. Every well-dressed man will want a custom-made suit from Sam's Tailor in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Hong Kongers know how to let off steam. At Central's bustling nightlife street Lan Kwai Fong, party-going locals teeter down the cobbles to catch happy hour at tucked-away cocktail bars. You might get lucky at Happy Valley Racecourse's Wednesday evening races, along with the other well-worn local punters; ascend to the grandstand's top floor for the best views of the spot-lit track. You can try to follow traditional Chinese opera's convoluted plots at Hong Kong Cultural Centre's dazzling performances.
Restaurants and Dining
Enjoy lunch of traditional dim sum (dumplings and steamed buns) from City Hall Maxim's Palace -- it's worth the wait. World cuisines come together in Central, where you can sample local favorite barbecued pork in noisy diners, or whisper sweet nothings over fresh oysters in romantic French bistros. Choose live lobster from tanks, served with garlicky pak choi at a waterfront table on Cheung Chau island.
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