A country of wondrous coastlines, luscious green jungles, fresh tropical fruit, friendly local people, and enthralling history, Vietnam should definitely be on your bucket list. There’s something for every type of traveler in this popular Asian country, whether your idea of a perfect vacation involves kayaking in the ocean, browsing through markets loaded with handmade goods, or visiting the crumbling ruins of ancient temples. The Travel reports.
It’s difficult to narrow down the reasons why you should visit Vietnam at least once in your life, but we’ve managed to come up with the top 10. Check them out below!
10. It’s pretty affordable
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Unlike other amazing destinations that you’ll probably spend months paying off, Vietnam is relatively affordable. According to Trip Savvy, Vietnam is a popular destination among backpackers for this very reason: it’s quite affordable. You’ll get to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world without sending yourself broke!
There are plenty of ways to save money while traveling through Vietnam. This might include traveling by budget airline or by using public transport such as buses or trains to get around the country. You’ll also find lots of choices for budget accommodation in Vietnam.
9. It’s peaceful and relaxing
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Vietnam is an ideal location to travel to if you’re in need of a break from your busy life. If stress has taken over and you find yourself tightly wound up, a trip to Vietnam could be just what you need because it’s full of peaceful and relaxing destinations where you can just chill out.
These range from stunning natural landscapes that will allow you to reconnect with the planet to ancient temples encouraging a sense of serenity. While some places in Vietnam are super busy, it definitely has its quiet, reflective locations too.
8. To understand the history from a local perspective
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Many people travel to Vietnam purely to explore the local history. Vietnam has been involved in key world history events, the most significant of which for many tourists is the Vietnam War. Travel to the country today and you’ll see relics from this crucial point in history that are still standing today.
While you don’t need to visit Vietnam to learn more about the Vietnam War, doing so will open you up to a completely different perspective. You’ll get an insider look at old war monuments and hear local stories about what life was like during this time.
7. To immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture
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Vietnamese culture is something that you won’t want to leave behind when it’s time to go home. In between visiting major landmarks and popular attractions, you’ll get the chance to spend time with friendly locals who will share with you their way of life.
Leaving what you know behind and experiencing the world from the perspective of a Vietnamese farmer, for example, will open up your eyes. Not only will you learn a lot about Vietnamese culture, but in doing so you’ll learn a lot about yourself.
6. The Stunning Natural Landscape
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The landscape in Vietnam is spectacular. On any trek through the country, you’ll have to stop and ask yourself if the surroundings are actually real. The best thing about it is that there are so many different kinds of settings to see within the borders of the same country.
Vietnam boasts some beautiful national parks and some of the world’s largest natural caves, according to Tripzilla. There is ample chance to see luscious jungle and forests, flowing rivers and waterfalls, and some of the most stunning coastlines on the planet.
5. The outdoor activities on offer
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Not only is the Vietnamese landscape outstanding, but it serves as the perfect setting to engage in a few thrilling outdoor activities. Watersports are on the top of many bucket lists since the clear blue waters off the Vietnamese coast are hard to resist.
If you want to stick to land activities only, there’s plenty to choose from. A large number of travelers to Vietnam rent motorbikes and make their way at their own pace across the country. While this doesn’t sound too daunting, the windy Vietnamese roads will definitely throw you out of your comfort zone.
4. The diverse shopping options
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If shopping is more your cup of tea than biking across the country or kayaking beneath gushing waterfalls, then Vietnam is still an ideal destination for you. As The Culture Trip points out, the country specializes in unique fashion and handicrafts that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Browse through the markets and you’ll find traditional clothing, scarves, jewelry, accessories, and just about anything you could want. In the bigger cities, you can get custom-made clothes in as little as 24 hours, and for a fraction of the cost you would pay at home.
3. To eat authentic Vietnamese cuisine
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Foodies rejoice in Vietnam. The hearty and addictive cuisine has made waves all over the world, but there’s still nothing quite like eating authentic Vietnamese in Vietnam. Though you’ll find more expensive restaurants in the bigger cities, most travelers rave about the street foods on offer at stalls lining the busy roads.
For the best pho of your life and fresh papaya salad that helps you to escape from the heat, visit Vietnam. The country is also home to some of the freshest seafood on the planet—you won’t be able to stop at just one plate.
2. Taste fresh tropical fruits
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The tropical fruit available in Vietnam really deserves its own mention. Sweet, fresh fruit is like a gift from the gods at the best of times, but when the weather is hot and humid, and you’ve been sightseeing all day, there’s nothing better than filling up on some delicious local produce.
You’ll find fruits that you know from home, like pineapple, mango, watermelon, and banana, but they’ll be exceptionally fresh (and give you unrealistic standards of fruit forever). And there will also be the chance to try totally new tropical fruits.
1. Sample rice or corn wine
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To wash all that tropical fruit down, you’ll need a delicious drink. Chasing the Unexpected travel blog believes that the rice wine, or corn wine as it’s sometimes called, is so amazing that it’s one of the reasons you should go to Vietnam in the first place.
Though the drink has slightly different ingredients depending on where in Vietnam you are, it’s not actually a wine. More like liquor and similar in taste to vodka, the drink is sometimes referred to as “happy water”. You can’t leave Vietnam without sampling some!