The Essential Tips about Vietnam
Vietnam is a surprisingly large country with a vibrant culture and some great natural wonders. Even a 2-week vacation here will not suffice to see all its attractions, but with planning, you can still have an amazing time. Many vegetarians are put off by the Vietnamese food and think they’ll end up starving. Nothing could be further from the truth; just say ‘chay’ or ‘không thịt’ and you will be fine. Vietnam has a large Buddhist population and the veg food is not a problem. Just remember these two words; Chay means vegetarian and Khong Thit means no meat. The major cities of Vietnam have been omitted due to lack of space.
Halong Bay is about 112 miles west of Hanoi. This natural wonderland has a fantasy other-worldly appearance. With turquoise blue waters and a thousand plus jagged peaks rising from them, some with underwater caves, it’s a place not to be missed.
Sapa is 200 miles west of Hanoi and near the China border. This beautiful rice-growing region is the best the gateway to the interior. Hire a local guide, preferably a woman guide as they are the best. Let the guides arrange homestays for you as you trek through this terraced mountainous region populated with ethnic hill tribes. It will make your visit more authentic.
Hoi An is an ancient town with canals. Every full moon night, the town’s lights are turned off and the town is illuminated just by silk lanterns. The old part of the town is a UNESCO heritage site and offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Another attraction of Hoi An is its tailors. Want a bespoke tailored suit in 24 hours?
Phong Na- Ke Bang National Park has a cave where you can construct a 40 story building, with a river and a jungle all inside it. Son Doong Cave has a year-long waiting list to explore the restricted interior and $3,000 fee. Regular visitors can stroll around the public area for free.
Da Lat at 1500 mt is much cooler than the rest; and with its pine forests, looks more Alpine than Vietnamese. The region has lakes, waterfalls and rolling Alpine meadows.
The Mekong Delta is in the southernmost region of Vietnam. This is a place of lush fruit orchards and rich farmlands. The diversity of the floating market will blow your mind. To really explore it go to Can Tho City and find an authentic homestay preferably in a farmhouse.
Be smart and book as early as possible. Once you decide, act upon it to avoid aggravation and disappointment and get more discounts too. Before setting out, get adequate local currency for all your travel expenses and get travel insurance as well. For all your foreign currency needs, visit BuyForex.com, where you can meet all your forex needs at very competitive rates. EbixCash World Money Multi-currency forex card can be used at ATMs and is secured with pin/chip technology.
