Vietnam is a very diverse country! There are bustling cities and serene mountain villages. Temperatures can be so hot in one place you break a sweat reading a book where other places boast cool breezes. Before diving into our research expedition, you may want to flip through our photojournal and find out a little more about Vietnam and its people.

	Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
	The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi provides information on many of the ethnic minority groups of Vietnam. This traditional Vietnamese boat is displayed just outside the entrance and can be viewed from all sides.
	A Vietnamese Pagoda
	Many Vietnamese people practice Buddhism. Pagodas, or temples of worship, are found all over the country, each with its own unique décor. They are often ornately decorated and may have statues of symbolic animals such as dragons located on the temple grounds.
	Dining Out at a Vietnamese Restaurant
	The team took many opportunities to enjoy the local cuisine -- many times in small, family owned restaurants such as this one. Two foods we ate a lot of were cá (fish) and gá (chicken).
	The Art of Embroidery
	This local artist works on a piece of intricate embroidery that will later be displayed in an art gallery and be available for purchase either by tourists or local Vietnamese.
	Motorbikes - The Way to Travel
	Many Vietnamese people travel by motorbikes rather than cars. Public places like this museum have special parking areas for motorbikes just as we have parking structures for cars.
	The Streets of Hanoi
	The streets of Hanoi are a busy place -- lined with storefronts and filled with people on foot, bicycles, or motorbikes.
	Vietnamese women, some wearing a traditional cone-shaped hat called a nón lá, create flower arrangements that they sell on the street.
	A Hanoi Park
	This park in the middle of Hanoi is a great place for visitors and locals to relax and enjoy the beautiful fountains.
	A Hanoi Marketplace
	Vendors in the marketplace sell beautifully colored fruits, vegetables, grains, and spices.
	Rice Fields of Vietnam
	Rice fields dominate the Vietnamese countryside. These images show the harvest and transport of the rice plants.
	The Gentle Water Buffalo
	Many Vietnamese farmers rely on water buffalo to pull their carts loaded high with rice. When not working, they can be seen grazing at the side of the road not far from their owners.

These images capture just a few of the sights of Vietnam and the culture of its people. The Resources section of this Web site provides suggestions of where you can learn more about this amazing country.