If you love culture and history, you will enjoy a visit to the Citadel in Hue, Vietnam. It is a breathtaking site that offers a glimpse into Vietnam's rich royal and colonial heritage, featuring impressive architecture and beautiful gardens.

Vietnam, a country in rapid economic development, is a unique blend of modern life and tradition. It has recently expanded its focus to include tourism, trade, and global significance while retaining its rich historical heritage. 

For the past 30 years, Ms. Thach has been leading tours of the underground tunnels in Vinh Moc, near Hue, Vietnam. “In early 1992, I started taking visitors to the tunnels, and all you could see were the craters from the bombs from the American War,” she remembered as we drove out to see the underground village during a recent trip to Vietnam.

One of the things I love to do before traveling to a new place is to read as much as possible about the location. I love books. Novels. History. Politics. Memoirs. They can all offer us a glimpse into a country's culture, landscapes, and history. Here are 5 books I recommend before visiting Vietnam.