Joanna James
Whether you are in it for trekking, the beauty of nature, a quiet holiday at the beach or looking to immerse yourself in food and culture, once the lockdown has been lifted you should be putting Vietnam on your bucket list. If you need to know why here are some reasons.
Vietnam is the country with one of the oldest recorded histories in South East Asia. The records date back to the year 2000 B.C and are lost in translation and over time so one cannot pinpoint where. The native Dong Son culture is supposed to have spanned thousands of years. The country's present culture has been influenced over the years by the Chinese, the Khmer, Indian and the French. The rich history is there all around the country if you know what to look for.
Street food culture in Vietnam is another big part of why people love going to the country. Folks often make the mistake of thinking it is the same as Thai food, but you couldn't be further from the truth. There are street food stalls all over the big cities serving delicious dishes so all you have to do drop by, grab a plastic stool and munch away.
Tropical fruit in Vietnam is fantastic as there is something for everyone if you adore fruit from watermelons, mandarins, mangoes, pineapple and various kinds of bananas. They also have types of fruit you have never seen anywhere else in the world. Everything is inexpensive and sold in little carts and stalls on the roadside waiting for you to buy them and taste the fresh goodness.
A Halong Bay private boat cruise has the highlight of getting you a glass of what is probably the best coffee in the world while you set off through the magical waters of Halong Bay. And sometimes, that coffee might just be able to beat the spectacular views. Vietnamese coffee is made with condensed milk, egg yolk or yoghurt. Try them all!
From the people working boats for tours such as Bhaya Cruises to a random villager in the hills or the bustling city, everyone in Vietnam are friendly and helpful at all times. It is the "land of endless smiles." If you are open and friendly, many people will approach you and be as obliging as you want them to be. Don't be shy, go and make some friends.
You'd think that only the Philippines and Thailand are popular for their beaches but let us set the record straight with you. Vietnam is proud to boast some spectacular beaches as well and the best part is that currently, they are mostly empty because not many tourists know about them. Which means that not only will you find spectacular beaches with views that will blow your mind, you'll get to have that magic all to yourself. So, what are you waiting for? Let's go to Vietnam!
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