Have you ever travelled to a place so beautiful and enchanting that you thought to yourself, “this movie-esque scenery must have beentaken straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster?If you have yet to experience this or you are looking to recapture it, Vietnam is the place for you. The thousands of kilometers of pristine coastline, proud mist-laden mountain ranges, the intricate mazes of river forming the Mekong delta and the vibrant green and yellow of the rice field makes Vietnam a divine gift to humanity.
On days when the weather is just right, imaginative cloud formation scatter the skies allowing the perfect amount of light to highlight the vibrant colors before you. The view literally takes your breath away leaving you with a deep yearning for more.
Warning: this desire will begin to take effect once you step foot in Vietnam and may never subside. The mental image you capture persists on forever even after the picture begins to fade. I assure you Vietnam is nothing like you’ve ever seen before.
I know because I’ve travelled cross country twice, once with no money living and working alongside the people. I’ve experienced Vietnam’s beauty first hand and five years later I’m still here. In the half decade I’ve been here, I’ve managed to host television shows, teach in universities, and experience most of what the country as to offer. Vietnam is not only limited to its beautiful landscape but offers so much more in the form of friendly people, diverse culture, delectable cuisine and so much more.
I do consider myself a foremost expert on Vietnam and thus it is my responsibility to bestow my knowledge on those who decide to visit. To get the best of Vietnam, you should know what to expect. In reflecting back on my five years and the “if I knew back then what I know now” thought process, I’ve taken the liberty to compile a series of tipsto help you get the best of your experience. Below is the first in many sets of tips for you.
Have an open mind:
You can only begin to uncover what makes Vietnam truly amazing when you have a open mind and leave all your expectations at home. The things that you see and experience here may be very different from where you’re from but embrace it. Vietnamese people are very friendly people and they may you questions that seem like they are prying but it is there way of showing that they care. Slight touches or embraces are common in Vietnam and it is a way for people here to express they like you.
There’s a big difference in being a tourist and a traveler. Try to immerse yourself in the local culture and interact with the local people. In return, the people will be generous in their invitations to lunch or beer or even gifts for you.
Crossing the street:
With so many people packed into limited space, Vietnam’s traffic can become congested particularly during rush hour. An assortment of cars, buses, motorbikes, bicycles, and walking pedestrians twisting and maneuvering around one another can leave you quite busy but there’s a system to this chaos. My first essential tip is to walk slowly and be decisive when crossing the street.
While there are crosswalks and traffic lights here, they are simply formality. If you wait for things traffic to clear up, you may never cross. Also, don’t make the potentially fatal mistake of running across the street. Instead you may want to make yourself visible and to walk slow enough that people can maneuver around you. Blind people can often be seen crossing the street so don’t worry, you’re safe if you simply take your time.
The art of negotiation:
Except for major retail stores, all prices in Vietnam are negotiable. In fact, you are expected to bargain, it’s the culture. Many foreigners have the misunderstanding that Vietnamese are trying to rip them off, but normally this isn’t the case. Here in Vietnam, bargaining is a norm rather than the exception so have fun with it.
The general rule of thumb is to start with half of the asking price and continue to negotiate until you reach a price that you and the merchant agree is reasonable. Vietnamese people are always pleasantly surprised and excited to hear a foreigner speak their language. Learning a few phrases like “baonhieutien” (how much), “dat qua” (too expensive), giamgia (lower the price) will certainly help your cause.
Street food cuisine:
If you leave Vietnam without ever sampling authentic Vietnamese food, then you’ve missed out. This can only be accomplished when partaking in Vietnam’s amazing street food. Everything from Vietnam’s infamous bowl of pho, buonthitnuong (grilled meat with noodles), banh my (baguette sandwiches) to desserts like che and tofu pudding can be found being sold by local street fenders.
Worry about sanitation, don’t be. In my experience, I’ve only encountered stomach issues in big fancy restaurants while street food has been relatively safe. Street food is an absolute must.
Night Market:
Finally, be sure to experience the night market. Every major city and tourist destination from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat to Hue up to Ha Long has a night market. Although, you may want to check for time and scheduling for availability. The atmosphere is always jovial as local vendors set up small booths and tables to sell their goods to both international and domestic visitors from other parts of the country.
Here you can find an assortment of souvenirs, clothing, post cards, perfume, and trinkets. Again be sure to make you bargain and keep a look out on interesting finds. Walk around and enjoy but be sure to also keep an eye on your personal items. There are also often vendors selling snacks and drinks in case you get post-dinner munchies. Night markets are a great way to unwind your busy day right before you call it a night and head to the hotel.
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