A guest post on Vietnam, which is perfect because we’re heading to Da Nang for the New Year’s. More excited than ever.
Vietnam is on the rise, with more long-haul travelers discovering this exotic and exciting country. According to Expedia, it’s now one of the top five fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. The economic recovery has also helped to improve the country’s infrastructure, making it the perfect time to visit.
The culture
Yes, Vietnamese food is famous and popular but many travelers know very little about the rich culture and history of the country – there is so much more to discover than Pho and spring rolls.
The capital city, Hanoi, is the perfect place to start; combining modern architecture with the relics of its exciting past. A visit to Hoan Kiem Lake should be on everyone’s itinerary: located in the heart of the city, it offers an island of tranquility.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter still bears witness to how people have lived here over the past 100 years. It’s an exciting mix of colonial and Chinese architecture, and well worth a visit.
Other cities worth seeing are Sa Pa in the mountains where there are still old tribes, and the old imperial city Hue. Here you can walk in the footsteps of the nobles through the Imperial Palace. The end of the cultural journey is Saigon, the economic metropolis in the south, and the Mekong River Delta. There are still floating villages and markets on the river and you can explore the maze of rivers and channels.
The cuisine
Food in Vietnam is often reduced to just spring rolls and noodle soup, especially in Europe. But the real Vietnamese cuisine is varied, healthy and fantastic. Vietnamese dishes usually consists of fresh and raw vegetables and herbs but also accompanied by various types of meat in different forms, not to mention the special sauces and dips. Light but filling.
Pho is the most common and easiest dish but there is so much more. Bun Thit Nuong consists of roasted pork, bean sprouts and carrots on rice noodles, while Bún chả is a similar dish but with grilled meaty balls. There is also a typical sweet and spicy sauce for spring rolls, while coriander is a must in the cuisine.
A rather unknown specialty is Bò nướng lá lốt, which is beef wrapped in grape leaves and then put on the grill. You will find it mainly in local restaurants, which are mostly only open in the evening.
And finally, there’s the Bánh mì, a type of sandwich made of baguette and filled with various savory ingredients such as sausage, coriander, pickled vegetables and uniquely Pâté. A classic and staple.
Finding food in Vietnam really isn’t a problem. Anyone traveling around Hanoi’s old town will find something to eat anywhere. Street stalls offer cooked snails and clams, you can buy Bánh mì and Bánh xèo everywhere (wafer-thin pancakes stuffed with bean sprouts, crabs, pork, and lots of herbs) and there are endless possibilities when it comes to restaurants and food stalls.
Beaches on the east coast
Vietnam is an ideal country for a beach holiday, thanks to its crystal clear waters, fine sand and excellent hotels ranging from airbnbs to luxury resorts. The most popular places at the moment are around Da Nang and Hoi An.
It doesn’t take much to enjoy the beach towns, just sipping on coconuts under the palm trees and watching the waves. But you can also take day trips to Huế and also Hoi An where you can witness the Lantern Festival at the tranquil Old Town.
Beach accommodations are usually cheaper further south and it’s also where many locals go to enjoy the beaches. Nha Trang and Vũng Tàu are especially popular travel destinations among locals. Seek out the island of Phú Quốc, which not only has beautiful beaches, but also produces the best fish sauce in the country, offers unique marine life and has more than 25 remote islands for those searching for a more private, special experience.
If you are looking for an adventure, you can rent a motorbike and drive along the east coast – there is a long coastal road perfect for a road trip. If you want some peace and quiet, you can also travel by trains – but be prepared for longer journeys. Traveling by plane is also easy and efficient, with international airports in both in Da Nang and Phú Quốc.
Photo credits: Ruslan Bardash, Mathew Hamilton, Katie Manning.
Disclaimer: This post is a guest post by Olivia Brown of Olivia Brown Media. Edited by rachelsanghee.
A friend of mine visited Vietnam and told me how wonderful his trip was until I got interested. Now, more than ever, I’m very much interested after reading this. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for reading! I’m heading there myself later this year, so I’m super excited to share my trip again soon. Rachel