Out of all the exotic destinations on the planet, Vietnam surely takes the proverbial cake. No matter the hemisphere you’re flying in from, the sights, sounds, tastes, and culture of one of the last bastions of communism in the world are bound to dazzle and bewilder your senses, and let you forever remember one of the greatest road trips of your life. Here are the eight things you shouldn’t miss on your Vietnamese adventure.
Take a sightseeing tour around Hanoi
Of course, the capital should be your first destination, as this is where the hustle and bustle of the big city takes on a whole new meaning. Torn between its traditional roots, the French colonial influences and culture, and of course, its modernization in recent decades, the cityscape offers a unique experience with its artisan cafes, grand tree-lined boulevards, and unique trade districts. Be sure to visit the vividly-chaotic Old Quarter to get a feel for the daily buzz of the city, and experience what the local life is all about.
Bewilder your senses with Vietnamese coffee
Weasel coffee? Yes, please! Vietnam is home to a thriving coffee industry, with opulent brews and mixtures exported to the rest of the world at a hefty price. Along with traditional coffee beans grown here, Vietnam’s coffee houses proudly offer their unique “weasel coffee” brew. You might have guessed it, the weasel-like critter called civet eats the coffee beans which it later passes out as, well, droppings enriched with a distinct bitter aroma and taste. Don’t think about it, just try it – you won’t be sorry!
Visit the Lantern Festival in Hoi An
The Vietnamese New Year, called Tết, is the time to visit the country. Not only is this a grand, nation-wide celebration filled with song and dance, but it is also a unique opportunity to light a lantern and let it fly up into the great unknown.
The historic city of Hoi An is the place to be, as the seven-day Lantern Festival boasts a stunning array of street performances, music, culinary delights, and of course, city-wide lantern decorations. The most decorated part of town is the road from Hoi An Bridge to the Hoai River Square – a place where you can light a lantern yourself and let it fly away or have it join the rest of the colorful arrangement.
Sample the most unique dishes on the planet
If you always wanted to sample unique culinary masterpieces that exist nowhere else in the world, then Vietnam is definitely the place to be. Every region, from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, boasts a wide array of dishes you can taste right in the city you’re staying in. This is why guided Vietnam food tours have become so popular in recent years, because they take you through unique foodie hotspots that the locals love, but the majority of tourists are yet to discover! This is an amazing way to enrich your palate with the most authentic culinary wonders of Vietnam.
Cruise the Mekong Delta
With an estimated length of 4,350 km, the Mekong River originates in the heights of the Tibetan Himalaya and descends across countries to reach Vietnam itself, and create the vast maze of rivers known as the Mekong Delta. Surrounded by rice paddies, dotted by indigenous villages and floating fish markets, the Mekong Delta is another amazing exploration tour you shouldn’t miss. You can catch a boat from Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) or the bustling town of Can Tho located in the very heart of the delta.
Learn the history of the country
Vietnamese culture and history is vast, yet you will undoubtedly notice that it is centered on the Vietnam war, and the events that ensued. There are numerous museums and historic landmarks that portray the long history of Vietnam, but if you want to learn about the country’s bloody past in the second half of the 20th century, then you want to visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum in the south.
Tây Ninh, the Holy City
Have you ever heard of Caodaism? Well, don’t be surprised, this is not a popular religion in the rest of the world, as it is a 20th-century Vietnamese hybrid religion puzzled together by Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, the occult, and Islam. It might sound confusing and contradictory, but your aim is not to understand it so much as it is to revel in the beauty of the Cao Dai Temple located in the bustling town of Tây Ninh situated on the Mekong Delta.
Trek through the rice paddy fields
Last but not least, a trip to Vietnam wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the picturesque and absolutely stunning region of Sapa in the north, just up at the Chinese border. This region is known around the world for its breathtaking rice paddy fields adorned in vivid green hues. Be sure to put on your hiking boots and head on out to a trekking adventure like you’ve never experienced before.
Vietnam is truly a unique place. Between the bustling beehive cities, the amazing food, and the numerous natural wonders within its borders, experiencing everything the country has to offer can be quite a challenge. Nevertheless, with these activities in your itinerary, you should have no problem organizing a Vietnamese adventure of a lifetime.
