Most travelers put Vietnam in a comparison table when they decide where to go next: Will Thailand, Laos, Hong Kong or Vietnam be worth my precious stay? Will my child have fun there? Will I have any problems as a solo female traveler? VietnamOnline will tell you the top 10 reasons why Vietnam should be on the agenda for your upcoming trip.
breathtaking scenery
No matches for Niagara Falls, Sydney Opera House or Grand Canyons. However, Vietnam is truly a hidden gem that only those who have visited the country can get to know. Strictly speaking, Vietnam has no shortage of World Heritage Sites: Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha Ke Bang cave, Hoi An Ancient Town and Cu Lao Cham are all recognized for their intense beauty. However, it is the small details of this non-heritage site that will surprise you even more. Da Lat, for example, is too beautiful to miss. The French villa is located by the pine forest, bordering the strawberry garden – you feel like Europe but the market scene says otherwise. Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh province is also a prime example of the unnamed beauty of Vietnam: feel the serenity of a religious place, set amidst the green of rice fields. Whether it’s a must-see or an incredible attraction, you won’t be disappointed.
The majestic Son Doong – photo: @miaoo
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Vietnamese people are friendly and hospitable
Like many other neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has a precious treasure: its people. Wherever you go, you will be greeted with smiles and gracious help by the locals – whether they speak Vietnamese or not. For example, the people of Hue are famous throughout the country for their regal demeanor: elegant and sweet. On the other hand, people from Hoi An are known to be honest. If you spend time in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, you will be even more surprised and inspired by how you are received by the local farmers. Be impressed!
Vietnamese people are friendly – Photo: @daniel.p.erasmus
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ability to pay
Vietnam is a popular destination for budget travelers. Although the price is climbing monthly at breakneck speed, it is still much cheaper than traveling in other continents. Almost every price is affordable: a 5-star resort in Da Nang will cost you the same amount as a 3-star hotel near JFK airport. For the lower end market, there are many hostels and guest houses in most cities. Food costs are even lower and street food is some of the best in the world. That said, even in the biggest metropolitan areas like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you can get a day for $15.
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coffee coffee coffee
Who doesn’t love coffee (sorry, tea fans)? There’s no Starbucks with its giant smoothies and lattes but there’s a French drip coffee that can be found in EVERY street of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Why rush in a country like Vietnam? Enjoy a cup of black coffee (ca phe den) or iced milk coffee (cap he sua da) and watch life go by on a street corner – you’ll never forget Vietnam. Those who want to bring home coffee can visit Café Mai (79 Le Van Huu, Hanoi) or Highland Coffee (26 Le Loi, HCMC).
Sidewalk coffee – Photo: @dicaphekhong
Watch online Vietnamese videos about Hanoi’s coffee culture
Travel experience like no other
Vietnam has all the unusual experiences you are all looking for. From staying with an ethnic family in the northern mountains of Sa Pa to photographing the sunrise in Hoi An to surfing with local kids in Mui Ne- you name it all. A unique travel experience that’s entirely on your own – and the best thing about Vietnam is that there’s so much to explore. Read our “Best of Vietnam” page for more recommendations.
Unique travel experience – Photo: @svietnammm
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Exquisite dishes
Have you always been a fan of Vietnamese food? Pho Hung on Spadina- Toronto, Nam Son near Bowery- New York, Le Lotus Blanc on Paris’ Bourgogne- They can never be as authentic as the food served in Vietnam (although they all do a great job. ). Vietnamese cuisine goes beyond pho and spring rolls and varies by region: fresh vegetables continue to dominate the table, while meat and poultry are increasingly popular. Near the sea like Nha Trang and Da Nang, you can find a lot of fresh seafood caught in the morning and served for your dinner at very affordable prices. A large king crab costs about 8 USD and can be shared by 2 people.
Authentic food – Photo: @bokhee.duck
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Quick and easy immigration process
Applying for a visa to Vietnam can seem stressful at first – why would you need a visa to enter Vietnam when you get 30-day free entry to Thailand and Ecuador? Vietnam needs you anyway, and to ease the pain, the process has been made fairly easy. In addition to the visa at the embassy, a Vietnam visa can also be issued upon arrival. All you need to do is apply for a letter of approval online through a number of online travel agencies, there are many out there. Visa letter will be emailed to you in 2 days. If you are near the embassy, it will only take about 3-5 working days.
Easy visa procedures – photo: @visavietnam84
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It’s natural
Think of Vietnam and many people still think of a country ravaged by war – not necessarily but often. Vietnam is more than just a war memory: its natural resources are remarkable. There are many national parks and you can enjoy many activities that you could never enjoy in your own country: camping and bird watching in Cuc Phuong or Cat Ba rainforest; rent a jeep to visit Cat Tien National Park; Windsurfing course in Nha Trang. The bad news is that tourism has involved a lot of commercial activity in nature. The good news is that there is still a lot to see and enjoy.
@vietnamtravelaway
Traditional festival
Thanks to its long history, rich traditions and Buddhist influence, Vietnam has festivals celebrated all year round – many of which are unprecedented in the West and truly interesting to learn about. For example, New Year’s Day is an ideal time to see how families show their love for their ancestors and for each other. Tet should not be confused or called the Lunar New Year, which might even be an insult to some nationalists. It resembles the Lunar New Year in many ways, but modified to give it a Vietnamese feel in it. For example, in the countryside, people stay overnight and make banh chung – by a little fire and some end-of-year gossip. In Hai Phong, the buffalo fighting festival is a famous occasion: the winning buffalo will be killed and offered to the village god. Even the holidays in Vietnam are worth taking part in: head to Vietnam on September 2 and you’ll see parades across the country. Entire streets will be lit with red flags – and fireworks take over the sky at night. Check out our events page to see what events you can join on your next trip.
Vietnam festival – photo: vietnamtourism
World famous beaches
There is nothing more relaxing than soaking in the clear blue water under the shining sun. Let’s join the waves of Da Nang, Nha Trang or Mui Ne to relieve all the stress of busy daily life. Vietnam has some of the world’s top beach lists. Most of them are safe for swimming and also have the opportunity to participate in water sports activities. For example, in Nha Trang, you can fly kites and windsurf. In Da Nang, enjoy one of the world-class beach resorts – romantic getaways for couples as well as families. In Mui Ne, enjoy a sense of peace with some added wildness while planning your seafood dinner. For beach fans, Vietnam should really be on your list.
Phu Quoc Beach – Photo: @explorerphuquoc
Source: https://traveland.com.vn
