At least now, Vietnam is undergoing a healthy economic expansion with a GDP increase of 7. Thanks for the concern : Ever thought that maybe dropping out of high school was a bad idea? Education is incredulously useful in not making you look like an idiot :. Your comment is just ridiculous. We were free for 21 years and then WWII began. How can you disregard hundreds of years of suffering, poverty and persecutions?
Oh my, you think my comment is ridiculous? I think your blog is exasperatingly ridiculous. Kids as young as 13 years were forced to join the army and they were never once taught how to even hold a rifle, let alone fire it. Our economy was greatly impacted and many people lost their land and property, everything was chaotic and poverty was the norm for a very long time and in some regions, it still is.
You feel offended? Remember this emotion and stop beating other people down with it. Let this be your reality check, I hope your horizons have finally expanded. When you hurt others, you will have less people to rely on in times of need. Before trying to shake me off like you did to all the other complaints, how about you take a good, long look at the ratio of negative to positive comments about this blog and take some time to reflect on your mistakes.
Dog meat is the flesh and other edible parts derived from dogs. Historically, human consumption of dog meat has been recorded in many parts of the world In the 21st century, most dog meat is consumed in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Nigeria.
Speaking of splitting the country in half. Poland was divided into three parts. The Partitions of Poland were three partitions of the Polish—Lithuanian Commonwealth that took place towards the end of the 18th century and ended the existence of the state, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland and Lithuania for years.
The partitions were conducted by Habsburg Austria, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Russian Empire, which divided up the Commonwealth lands among themselves progressively in the process of territorial seizures and annexations.
Villages were torched. Roman Catholic priests were axed or crucified. Churches were burned with all their parishioners. Isolated farms were attacked by gangs carrying pitchforks and kitchen knives.
Throats were cut. Pregnant women were bayoneted. Children were cut in two. Men were ambushed in the field and led away. But at least they could determine that it would be a future without Poles. I never made any negative or incorrect statements about Poland. So in answer, yes, it does seem quite illogical to me that you would reply to me in such a manner. I am Vietnamese and while I know this is a personal blog that is subjective.
I am appalled that you would publish a post as factual when it is not. It is disappointing and highly offensive. First, eating cats and dogs is disgusting. It is not a social norm nor is it popular as stated in your article. If you spoke to any local, they would look at you in disgust if you asked about eating dog meat. I love my dog. He is my baby and I am not going to eat him anytime soon.
Secondly, eating loudly and burping whilst eating is considered rude. Again, this is not a social norm. We are not savages lol. We are normal human beings who practice good table manners. I was actually in shock reading your post. Are people really this ignorant? How ignorant can you get? Jesus Christ. I had no idea you, as a foreigner, knew more about my diet than I did!! We were talking with many people in Vietnam about eating cats and dogs.
They even said that people in Vietnam buy stray dogs to eat from Thailand… We saw many restaurants that offer dog food. Huh, funny that being a Vietnamese person my entire life surrounded by about 10 million other Viet people and none of us have ever eaten a dog or cat-based dish in our life! So what exactly did you ask? Who did you ask? Did they fully understand your question? Did you fully understand what they were trying to say?
Are you an idiot? Oops, that last one just kinda slipped out LOL. By the way, how was dinner today, girl? Dear my sweetest Karolina who clearly lacks the common sense to be open-minded and apologize for being excuse my bluntness here a racist White supremist,.
Why are you constantly pulling your so-called facts off of Wikipedia? Do you?? Oh, please. Spare me of this hypocrisy! Now may you feel the inch of the insult you have put upon us. You really have the audicity to sprout this nonsense while you have little to represent Poland for.
Poland is a wonderful and beautiful nation that does NOT need you to represent it. I really am. I pity you for lacking the simple comprehension of what racism is as you have contributed to the deterioration of our ancestry and ethnicity. A sincere apology would have suffice but no, you have decided to take on more offense on your pitiful selves. If you had the courage to post something as disdainful as this blog, then grow a pair of balls hypothetically, of course and take on the consequences of your racism and White-priviledged attitude towards Vietnam.
Please, take a look at your comment again. Vietnam suffered a lot for sure. But what it has to do with this post? I am sorry you have so much pain in your heart… If you want to talk about it, maybe you should contact a specialist to help you? Similar to the analogy of how a racist does not admit they are racist, but is unaware of it.
Should any further inquiries you may have be emailed to me. Thanks :. Thanks for your comment, Anthony. We have nothing against Vietnam and Vietnamese people. There are many things that we loved though! We are missing Vietnamese coffee and beautiful rice fields of Mai Chau.
Lots of love! I sure can! Maybe with this kind of wonderful attitude, you can graduate in 50 years, give or take. We will be happy to read them all. Ahhhhhh, looks like our sweet naive Karolina has struck a temper now! Well, at least now, you can feel how outraged the majority of Vietnamese people are when they read this post. I am geniunely shocked at how several comments from the offended later, you are still able to stand by your position. None of these facts are meant to be humorous in nature.
Maybe your white-supremist and condescending attitude is the real joke here. And for a FACT, every nation has a tradition that is different than other countries.
The answer is never in case you racists decide to let your imagination run wild. But nevertheless, putting it as the 1 interesting fact is not even that interesting. Do you know how many asian-american children grow up being harassed by dog-eating jokes? Now not only do you damage the potential tourism for Vietnam, but you also damage the pride we have in our own culture. Eating dog came from the fact that the people were left to decades of starvation. My bad. Perhaps, you just need to consult your conscience.
I think the facts 2 is not disgusting. Is it overstatement? However, we accept that people should not munch and belch in public environment. Some Vietnam kids nowadays are taught to be more polite in behavior, even behaviors on going to the toilet. The new generations also do not those actions in offices or working places anymore. Anyway, that was true comment! What a great article and post you shared! Very interesting and informative post. Thank you so much for sharing this post.
Loved your pictures. However it was one thing I did not try, this custom is fading in my country, and I hope, will disappears soon, since now all kind of meat are plenty. Hey great read I am from Vietnam and i found what you had to say interesting, i wonder if all people think this?
Anyway some interesting Vietnam facts that is for sure. I am from Vietnam and i do not eat dog but i know people who do, anyway very interesting Vietnam facts thanks for sharing. I have to admit that you have made a great contribution to everyone as well as to this blog. Hopefully, we will receive more contributions from you. In recent years there have been many blogs about this issue, but personally I feel this is a post I get a lot of valuable things.
Thanks for sharing from you. Maybe it will help something for you. Hi, I live in the South of Vietnam and really appreciate your efforts in finding out abt my country. Some information is correct in the North e. In the South, everything is softer: the people, the food, the corruption rate, etc :P You write everything depending on your experience in Vietnam.
I do understand that it shapes your perspective and do feel sorry for the critical comments that you receive. Thanks for your comment, Trieu. Thanks again for your insights. Secondly to Karolina and Patryk , did I read right? It says that you could pay 50,, for a dinner and a million for a stay in a hotel.
That sounds a little cheap to me. OK, let me get this straight. But after all these comments, I believe the commenters have gotten almost as offensive, etc. FYI: Vietnamese eating cats and dogs is not at all uncommon to other countries. This is the most prized and expensive dish in the entire country. Praised by all that eat the rat. If in doubt, go to Cuenca Ecuador and enjoy. Interesting facts indeed with the straight talk. It varies from north to south. Additionally, did you also know that families can only have two children or else they face dire fiscal repercussions?
The Vietnam population has rapidly increased over the last few years. Covered in uplifting post-its from travellers from across the world, it was more than just a caffeine boost. Pho is a Vietnamese staple — a quick, tasty meal made from four simple ingredients: clear stock, boiled beef, rice noodles and herbs or green onions. Hanoi has gained a reputation as the pho capital of Vietnam. Every restaurant here boasts a secret recipe. Take your time searching for the best — that's part of the fun!
But if you want our advice? This unassuming pho house, with wooden benches and laminated tables, does things a little differently — such as stir-frying the beef in garlic before adding it to the soup. Local foodies insist it gives the pho an unusual smokiness, one you won't found in other restaurants. Pho Thin is always packed, but once you're inside, you'll know it was worth the wait. As a nation, Vietnam has moved on, but the sacrifices made by both sides of the conflict are still remembered all over the country, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City Museum has many informative exhibitions, and explains the country's bloody past through photographs, artefacts and memorabilia.
It's sensitively done, without glossing over the atrocities, and rather ironically is housed in the Gia Long Palace, where Ngo Dinh Diem spent his final hours in power before his assassination in The War Remnants Museum is a more grisly — but equally essential — reminder of local atrocities. From eerie bomb remnants and first-person accounts by war veterans to a bloodied guillotine and photographs of horrific napalm burns, this is a chilling reminder of life not-too-long ago.
Caodaism is a Vietnamese hybrid religion founded in the s. It fuses Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, occult and Islam with the ultimate aim to break free of the cycle of life and death. But closer inspection reveals an eclectic facade with sword-brandishing gods, swastikas, a Communist red star and an Orwellian all-seeing eye.
Prayers are conducted four times a day, with the one at noon popular with day-trippers from Ho Chi Minh City. Set upon the pretty Perfume River, it has always played an important part in Vietnamese history and is dotted with important historical sites. It is also a great place to cycle. Set off in the cool of the morning and head three kilometres out of town to the Tiger Fighting arena. Swing by the tomb of Minh Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, before heading back to town.
Sound too much like hard work? You find any number of cyclo drivers nearby to do all the effort for you. Set on a 1,m-high mountain ridge, the town boasts fabulous views of the Hoang Lien Mountains and a colourful market attended by hill tribes from the surrounding countryside every Saturday. The town has become increasingly popular with tourists, but there are still old traditions hidden in its secret corners. It was originally held at the end of trading at the Saturday markets, but over-zealous visitors taking intrusive photos has driven the tradition underground.
The Love Market still exists, but now it takes place in secret locations in the dead of night, well away from the gaze of visitors. But if your interest is genuine and you can find a local willing to trust you, the romance can still be found. No wonder to anyone who has seen it with their own eyes: dramatic limestone karsts and sweeping, deep green valleys, often with boats floating along the Red River Delta.
Undoubtedly, the best way to experience them to take a slow, languorous boat ride along the Ngo Dong River, admiring the otherworldly view as you go. Getting to Tam Coc is easier than ever. Admittedly, the area has become more popular with visitors in recent years - for good reason. Buses and trains from Hanoi to Ninh Binh take about three hours, while organised day tours and two-day trips are available, if you'd prefer to take the pressure off planning your excursion.
However you get there, you'll want to spend at least a day here, if not longer, advises Wanderlust 's Jackie Scully. Go early to avoid the heat. Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam is a wildlife lover's dream: a sq km biosphere reserve, comprised of botanical gardens and lowland forest, offering an abundance of rare creatures and birdlife, all kept safe and sheltered in a number of sanctuaries and rescue centres. Golden-cheeked gibbons, silvered langurs and native pygmy lorsies are among the rare primates to be spotted in Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre.
Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary homes tens of sun bears. Asian elephants and clouded leopards are also among the rare sightings wildlife watchers have recorded in Cat Tien. Birders will have their hands full, too, with Asian barred owlet, blue-rumped and bar-bellied pittas, and orange-necked partridge sightings - just to name a few - very possible. Some of the park's animal residents come alive when the sky goes dark, so if you're hoping for a unique wildlife encounter in Vietnam, consider staying the night in one of Cat Tien's homestays or hotel accommodation, and embark on a nighttime drive.
An added bonus? Those on a day trip will be zipping back to Ho Chi Minh City by then, which is approximately three hours and 30 minutes away by car, so you'll have more of the park to yourself.
Here, you'll be taking in one of South-East Asia's most breathtaking natural sights. Its sheer size 70m tall, and m wide is marvel-worthy in itself, but the way the falls cascade down its rocky, limestone face is most eyecatching. If you're up for a climb, it is possible to trek up to the 'falls high points, as long as you're equipped with the appropriate walking gear.
Once you've soaked up the immense views, there's plenty to see and do in the Cao Bang region, which sits high up in the mountainous north-east of the country. Lots of travelers limit themselves to a quick visit and regret it the minute they realize that there are way too many things to do in Vietnam to only spend 15 days there.
Traveling in Vietnam is cheap anyways, that it is well worth investing on a visa to stay longer and enjoy all of Vietnam must see. The exchange rate is currently around VN to a US dollar. Dollars are accepted in hotels and even in some shops, though in order to save on the exchange rates, one of the best things to do in Vietnam is paying using the local currency.
Banks exchange money checking on the change is what to do in Vietnam to get all that you are owed. In Sapa, I had to insist till the teller at the bank gave me all the money that I was meant to receive in exchange of the dollars — as per his calculation!
We found Vietnam to be safe , even as female travelers. The only fear we had was that of being hit by a car or a scooter as we walked around. One of the most important things to do in Vietnam is thus learning to cross the street. The key is to walk without stopping, because nobody will ever stops for pedestrians but everybody will make sure to avoid them. Staring at the traffic is actually quite entertaining and one of the most fun things to do in Vietnam.
Rumor has it that years ago pickpockets and thefts would often steal backpacks. I have seen and heard none of this when I visited, yet keeping important belongings in the hotel safe and being aware of the surroundings is what to do in Vietnam in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Scams are quite common too: hotel owners and receptionist can be quite pushy when trying to sell tours for which they evidently receive a percentage of the profits. For example, when we arrived in Hanoi the receptionist asked very inquisitive questions about our plans for the next day. One of the most important things to do in Vietnam is having an idea of the transportation options. Let me start from the basic and useful staff for travelers.
Vietnam is connected to the rest of South East Asia by various budget airlines and one of the best things to do in Vietnam is getting a cheap flight to get there. We flew to Hanoi from Bangkok, where we where we had spent a few days, to Hanoi. Given the crazy traffic , one of the things to do in Vietnam is to cover long distances by plane , rather bus. I know this will make many environmentalists shriek, but the traffic is so bad, the driving so mad, the honking so constant, the buses and minivans so uncomfortable no leg room, bags and suitcases all over, falling off at every turn and everything so slow 5 hours to cover km, just to give an example that I would discourage anybody to solely rely on wheels.
If taking a no frills flight, carefully checking the weight of the backpacks is what to do in Vietnam, as attendants often check it and are quite strict about it. One of the nicest things to do in Vietnam is taking the night train.
Some of Vietnam must see are actually usually reached via trains, which are mostly for tourists, but they are a nice experience anyways. We took the night train to Lao Cai, which is the main train station from where to reach Sapa, and it was a good experience.
Taxis are easily available everywhere, within cities and from airports to cities, and they are inexpensive. Taxi drivers generally try to set a price, yet one of the things to do in Vietnam is to demand to pay by the meter. Hopping on a moto-taxi is what to do in Vietnam if looking for a fun, fast and cheap way to dodge the traffic.
These are available pretty much in any city and can be recognized as the driver is usually waiting with his motorbike by the side of the road, and has two helmets. Renting a scooter is what to do in Vietnam if wanting to be a bit more independent. We rented one in quieter Hoi An. It was one of the most fun things to do in Vietnam, though I have to say that even if traffic in Hoi An is not as bad as in other cities, we finally figured why Vietnamese drivers honk all the time: they are scared to death!
I know some travelers go across the country by motorbike — they buy a motorbike and sell it before crossing the border. This must be one of the most incredible things to do in Vietnam and a great way to experience the country. If I go back, I may well put my motorbike license to use — not without getting a travel insurance first though. You can get yours here. I also found that renting a bike is what to do in Vietnam when wanting to get a bit closer to nature, such as in the Mekong Delta and in the surroundings of Hoi An.
The range of accommodation options in Vietnam is incredible. From luxury hotels to mid range options, to very basic hostels, there is something for any budget. Many argue that one of the things to do in Vietnam is staying at a homestay. This implies having a room at a local family, sometimes even sharing the bathroom facilities. To be fair, some home-stays are way too basic more basic that no frills hostels, and frankly unsuitable to cater to tourists , with homes in Sapa Valley that have unfinished roofs and no glasses on the windows, making it beyond cold and uncomfortable at night.
As I was traveling with my sister and had the chance to share a private room, I thought that opting for mid-range hotels and good home-stays was what to do in Vietnam in order not to blow my budget and at the same time enjoy some comforts. Eating in South East Asia is an incredible experience and one of the top things to do in Vietnam is trying its incredible food.
I am a picky eater, yet food in Vietnam hardly disappointed me. Trying the fantastic soups — which are often eaten for breakfast — is what to do in Vietnam. I think I could kill for a pho bo now — rice noodles in a slowly cooked beef broth, served with bean sprouts and thinly sliced beef that cooks with the heat of the soup. Not to mention the interesting desserts of grilled banana with sticky rice and coconut milk and nuts and the abundance of delicious fruit and noodle dishes.
Eating in the street and markets is what to do in Vietnam, not only as it is cheaper than eating at restaurants, but also because the food is truly delicious! The key to finding a good place is checking its audience. A good mixture of locals and tourists, women and children, and more than anything else food being continuously cooked are indicators that the food is good and safe to eat.
Beware that some markets are invaded with rats. I cut a meal short in Chau Doc after seeing a multitude of rats! Taking a street food tour is what to do in Vietnam to gain confidence with the local food. Prices are generally reasonable but make sure that the company is a respected one — ask around, get first hand recommendations, and do not blindly trust recommendations found online more to come on this.
Chicken in Vietnam is often served with the soggy skin, not only in local restaurants but also in Vietnam tourist spots — this was often the case in chicken noodles soup.
Vietnamese people eat pretty much anything. I often opted for tofu based dishes but vegetarians and vegans should be aware that seemingly vegetarian dishes usually have fish sauce. Having wifi helped me as I could show pictures of the ingredients I could not eat due to allergies and made myself understood.
Beer in Vietnam is crips and cold and one of the best things to do in Vietnam is having a cold beer. Lots of local places sell beer by the glass.
I paid as little as VN for a 0. I call that a deal! Of all the things to do in Vietnam, drinking tap water is not one of them. Bottled water is easily available, but carrying a water filter is what to do in Vietnam to show more respect for the environment. A good alternative to water is coconut water.
There are plenty of stalls in the streets that sell cold and delicious coconut: drink the water and then ask for a spoon to scoop up the delicious pulp! Another one of the things to do in Vietnam is taking a cooking class.
It is a great way to get a bit closer to the local culture, to meet other travelers and to learn how to prepare some of the tastiest dishes in Vietnam. Shopping is one of the things to do in Vietnam. Lots of multinational brands have their factories in Vietnam but many shops sell counterfeited products.
If a branded jacket or a backpack are really cheap, chances are that they are counterfeited. Original stuff is as expensive in Vietnam as it is in the rest of the world. There are also plenty of markets and shops in Vietnam that sell souvenirs. It goes without saying that vendors at markets shoot the prices much higher when they deal with tourists. Therefore, haggling is what to do in Vietnam. My technique is very simple: I ask for the price, I offer a tenth of what I have been asked, and eventually work my way to what I consider reasonable.
At times, walking away as if not interested is a way to immediately get a cheaper price. Among the things to do in Vietnam, I recommend carefully researching guided tours. Guided tours are a fantastic way to explore places that are hard to reach, or to save time and money as they do put together all the transportation and connections, meals and accommodations. Besides, if the guide and the other people in the tour are cool, it is a great way to get to know a place and to meet other travelers.
We did see beautiful places, but that is as far as the benefits go. We took 3 multi-day guided tours. One of Ha Long Bay, one of Sapa Valley — which we bought locally with the same company; and one of the Mekong Delta which I bought online through a site that collects and categorizes — among others — all the things to do in Vietnam and then entrusts a local tour company to provide the service.
We thought we had done a lot of careful research for the best options, considering the prices but also the itineraries, the attractions seen, the online reviews. We both received the same poor service, but it would have been more bearable had we known that the tour was a real steal. It all goes to show that I am an unsuccessful backpacker, I suppose. Furthermore, I understood that online reviews are at times not reliable.
The company with with we toured Ha Long Bay and Sapa Valley was the one with the best reputation according to reviews. They must have been bought, and any negative one deleted, as there is no other explanation for it being considered the best. I tried to keep a positive mindset but I soon realized that others in my group felt the same. Writing honest reviews is one of the things to do in Vietnam. If in other countries group tours may be a great way to experience and explore a place, guides in Vietnam hardly speak English — one of ours was a lovely sweet girl, but hardly able to understand me when I told her I was sick and needed to stay in my room that day, and she could not utter more than a few words.
Not really helpful when she was meant to provide insightful information what to do in Vietnam in cases like that. Another one spoke decent English but the hike we did could have easily been done independently, especially considering that she shared no information whatsoever but preferred talking to the local ladies presumably her friends who followed us.
We asked her several questions but she was dismissive in her replies. Although the hike offered nice views and was one of the best things to do in Vietnam, that was not the service we had paid for. At the cost of sounding fussy, if I spend the money I work hard to save to buy a guided tour, I definitely expect to have a trained guide that speaks a language I can understand. I enjoyed the country, but I think it is a good idea to be somehow prepared on what to do in Vietnam — some basic reading is a must — in order to avoid the extreme cultural shock that I experienced at first.
Vietnam is dirty and polluted, way more than anywhere else I have been. Most places are covered in garbage. So much so that at times it is hard to find the beauty in them. As in the rest of Asia, Vietnamese people are not exactly champions at environmental protection or animal welfare and they are still much unaware about the importance of responsible tourism. They regularly throw stuff in the streets, in the rivers, in the sea. Seeing that people cared so little about the environment made me sad.
I concluded that one of the best things to do in Vietnam is leaving as little footprints as possible: carrying a filter to purify water and ecological personal hygiene items and laundry detergent are good steps to begin with. Mmmhhhh…am I the first one here? And that does not mean the rest is not interesting…. Astonishingly exotic and utterly compelling, Vietnam is a country of breathtaking natural beauty with a unique heritage, where travel quickly becomes addictive.
The Thais may grumble, but in Southeast Asia nothing really comes close: Vietnamese food is that good. Incredibly subtle in its flavors and outstanding in its diversity, Vietnamese cooking is a fascinating draw for travelers — myriad street food tours and cooking schools are testament to this.
Vietnam is one of the countries I love to visit in Asia and spend my entire summer vacation. What do you think is the best month to go there? I visited in March, and it was great. I have visited Vietnam three times and it made a very positive impression on me.
I loved exploring Hue and the surrounding region. I enjoyed your post and your images bring back fond memories of the country. Hey, Tavani, an amazing list of things to do in Vietnam! They all are very outstanding! Actually, we are planning to visit this country and I have made a hot list: 1. Old Quarter 3. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 4. The Nguyen Dynasty Tombs. Hi Claudia, i just read your story on Vietnam cover to cover!!
Hello Toni, thank you for your comment. My advice is to pretty much visi the places I recommend, without rushing it so much as I did. But I have heard good things about it! Come on! I love both because they are unique and have distinct tastes of their own.
And what should I eat in Thailand, if I want to have something as yummy as Pho for breakfast. I was curious, how other writers would report about Vietnam, so I checked out your article. I agree with most things you wrote. Vietnam is just a cool place. But there so much beauty in this country and so many nice people, that I always tried to swallow my anger as quickly as possible and move on.
That hurts! When it comes to the trash situation everywhere in South East Asia I have really asked myself more than once, what will happen to my trash, I left there. And next time you absolutely should explore Vietnam by motorbike. I saw incredible landscapes and many other interesting things like the complete silk production from silk worms to the weaving.
With the homestays, I think, it is a hit or miss. I made one in the Mekong Delta, but we stayed in two rooms attached to the family house with no indoor connection.
So it was like a small guesthouse, but not really a homestay. But still nice enough with a nice dinner for all five guests after dawn. When it comes to Halong Bay I actually never understand, why so many people complain about too many boats? It was still awesome. I once stayed there for a week doing nothing but relaxing, eating lots of yummy food, drinking finest coffee and doing a bit of digital work on the side.
Ah, Vietnam by motorbike!!
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