Vietnam Guide
Vietnam Guide
• Population: 88.1 million
• Capital: Hanoi
• Religion: Buddhism
Vietnam, the S-shaped country, also commonly likened to the shape of a dragon, is located to the west of the East Sea. The perfect combination of colonial elegance and rustic charm, it guarantees to satisfy all types of travelers with its rich experiences made all the more special by its charming people.
With cities to explore, temples to admire, and green countrysides to roam, there is plenty to see and do in Vietnam. Known as a colorful and diverse country from the wild mountainous north, with its myriad of ethnic communities, to the sleepless city of Ho Chi Minh City (previously known as Saigon) on the edge of the Mekong Delta, it is difficult to pick just one region to visit when coming to Vietnam.
The charming capital of Hanoi is a fascinating mix of fading colonial buildings and national monuments; the scenery of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is bound to leave you speechless; Hue, home to the old Kings of Vietnam, appears to have been frozen in time for several hundred years with its ancient atmosphere and architecture.
With a 3260km coastline, Vietnam is home to many top-tier beaches; the country’s most unsung beauties. My Khe beach – “one of the most attractive beaches on the planet” as described by Forbes – offers blue skies, smooth white sand, clear & warm water year-round. Phu Quoc island, boasting several luxury resorts, is also a favorite escape for the rich and famous. The abundance of mountains, rainforests, and natural lakes also makes Vietnam a great destination for trekking, hiking, mountain biking, sea and river kayaking, and classic overland tours.
Popular Sites
• Sapa & Mai Chau – visit the hill tribe villages and plantations
• Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam
• Halong Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Hue – the ancient capital of Vietnam
• Hoi An – the kitchen of Vietnam and paradise on Earth
• Ho Chi Minh City (previously Saigon) – the economic heart of Vietnam
• The Cu Chi Tunnels – walk through the history of the Vietnam War
• Mekong Delta – see the floating markets
• Mui Ne and Phu Quoc Island – relax on beaches with white sands and crystal-clear waters
Popular Foods
Hanoi Beef and Rice Noodle Soup (Pho Bo): The fragrant and flavorful dish is well known as Pho Bo, with distinctive broth by combining beef oxtail with additional flavors like fresh ginger, radish, fish sauce, cloves, and cinnamon.
Summer Rolls: These transparent and delicate rolls combine tender shrimp and the brightness of mint and basil, plus dipping sauce with a squeeze of citrus, and you’ve got a perfect appetizer.
Spring Rolls: Fried rolls stuffed with pork, shrimp, herbs, rice vermicelli, and other ingredients mixing up together. These will give you some unique taste of a must-eat dish in everybody’s Vietnam stay.
Banh Tom: Simply translated as crispy shrimp pastry. The fried dish is topped with red shrimps and is eaten together with dishes of spicy vegetables mixed with sweet and sour sauce. This flavor will be a memorable meal that ensures your remembrance of your stay in Vietnam.
Language
Vietnamese is the national language. Besides, English is widely spoken by the major of youngsters since the globalization and the growing of tourism industrialization. It is also a compulsory subject in the educational program in the country.
Weather & Climate
In Vietnam, the climate is tropical in the north and subtropical in the center and south. It is influenced by the monsoons as well. Due to its geography, the climate in Vietnam varies considerably from north to south with three climatic zones. The northern parts of Vietnam have essentially four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. There are two distinguishable seasons in the southern areas: the dry season and rainy season. The temperatures of this region do not change much throughout the year.
The high tourism season in Vietnam takes place from November to April in which the climate will be drier and more pleasant throughout the country. For the center, wait until February to avoid the unexpected rains.
Currency
The official currency in Vietnam is Dong (VND). The denotations of notes are 1,000d; 2,000d; 5,000d; 10,000d; 20,000d; 50,000d, 100,000d, 200,000d and 500,000d with 1.000 as the major unit.
US Dollars can be accepted in Vietnam, but you’d better to use Dong to buy things for it will save much problem. Credit Cards is accepted at most of hotels, restaurants and shops in the major cities only. In this case, visitors are recommended to exchange their home currency into Dong at banks, hotels and jewelry shops. Make sure the Dongs you received are clean and undamaged.
Exchange rate:
1 USD = 23,000 VND
1 EURO = 26,800 VND
Getting Around
1. Motorbike: Motorbikes are most commonly used among Vietnamese, which make them the most convenient way to get around in Vietnam.
2. Cyclo: It is a 3-wheeled bicycle-rickshaw. Visitors sit in front of the it and to explore the city in a slow-speed. You don’t have to worry about missing the scenery, don’t have to worry about traffic.
3. Taxi: It is the best way to take when the distance between you and your destination is a little long. Taking a taxi in Vietnam, you need to ask the local to write down your destination to avoid trouble.
4. Boat: Vietnam is abundant in rivers, so the boats can be connect many places in Vietnam. And as a different means of transportation from inland, traveling by boat is popular among tourists.
5. Train: If the distance is long and your budget is limited, trains will be a good choice to travel in Vietnam. Overnight train transfer is available, which will save your hotel cost. Be warned that you need to book trains a few days in advance, especially for weekend travel.
6. Airlines: Transfer between two cities and you don’t have much time to take train, flights are your ideal choice for you. The fares are reasonable and affordable. There are plenty of flights to main hubs in Vietnam.
