Have you ever heard of Vietnam – the S-shaped country in the Southeast Asia area? Vietnam has been gradually a worth visiting place for foreigners all over the world for its unique characteristics of sceneries, climate, people, and yummy cuisine. The following post will give you an overview of this beautiful country.

1. Vietnam Natural Features

1.1. Geographical features

Vietnam has a long terrain ranging from the North pole of Lung Cu, Ha Giang to the South pole of Ca Mau with a distance of more than 1,600km. Due to this special location, landscapes of Vietnam therefore also witness a variety of beauty from the mountainous regions, central highlands, or the immense deltas.

It can take you 15 days or more to visit all highlight places in Vietnam and there are expats staying here for years, or even for his/ her lifetime because of falling in love with this land.

There are various regions for you to explore, but make sure that your plan don’t skip these:

  • Elegant Hanoi capital
  • Active Ho Chi Minh city
  • Worth-living Danang
  • Romantic Da Lat
  • Breathtaking Halong Bay and Ninh Binh
  • Ancient Hue and Hoi An
  • Generous locals in Mekong Delta
  • Heaven of hotels and resorts Mui Ne, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang

1.2. Climate

While the North area has 4 distinctive seasons such as spring, summer, autumn, and winter; the South is popular with the dry and rain seasons. So it’s up to your favorite and interest that you can choose which seasons, which regions to visit.

Here is the suggestion of where to go in Vietnam around the year:

  • January: Enjoying cherry blossom in Dalat
  • February: Don’t skip an active and colorful Saigon during Tet holiday
  • March: Flowers festivals in Moc Chau
  • April: If you are a fireworks lovers, don’t forget the international fireworks competition in Danang
  • May: Season of rice paddy field in Ninh Binh
  • June: Run away from the heat to Hoa Binh province
  • July: Fruits season in Can Tho
  • August: Time for beaches in Nha Trang, Phu Yen, Quy Nhon, etc.
  • September: Feel the romantic autumn in the capital Hanoi
  • October: Perfect time for joining trips to Phu Quoc
  • November: Flower seasons again, but in the North area like Ha Giang, Moc Chau
  • December: Sapa – a meeting point in the winter

1.3. Population, Language, Currency

The population of about 97 million (estimated in 2020) mainly use Vietnamese as the official language although the country is the combination of 54 ethnic minorities using over 20 separate languages.

Other foreign languages like English, Chinese, French, etc. can be used in some places in big cities only.

Vietnamese language is also divided into 3 main mutually dialects including:

  • Northern area: Hanoi dialect is considered the standard
  • Central area: Hue dialect, and
  • Southern area: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) dialect

Vietnam Dong is considered the main currency in the country, and it is divided into 2 types including paper notes and polymerized ones.

2. Vietnam Cultures and Traditions

Foreigners love Vietnam not only because of its amazing charm, but also due to its rich and significant cultural and traditional values.

2.1. Tet holiday

Vietnamese Lunar New Year, also known as Tet holiday, can be considered as the most crucial traditional event in Viet Nam. The original word was “Tết Nguyên Đán” which means “feast of the first morning in the first day.” Prefer to Vietnamese calendar that comes later than the global date, it usually falls from late January to early March.

Before Tet, Vietnamese streets are full of flowers, especially Yellow Apricot Blossoms and Peach Blossoms because every house usually keeps it as a symbol of fertility and fruitfulness. Moreover, people also decorate their home with pansies, kumquats and plum blossoms. Dong Ho paintings and calligraphy are also decorated in the living room so the guests can come and see all the desires of the host family for the coming year.

2.2. Vietnamese food

If you don’t try Vietnamese cuisine, especially the street foods while in the country, it’s definitely a regret. There are hundreds of scrumptious street vendors waiting for you with the best combination of taste, colors, fragrances, etc. like:

  • Bun cha;
  • Banh mi;
  • Pho (Beef/ Chicken Noodles);
  • Fresh spring rolls;
  • Coffee with milk, black coffee, egg coffee;
  • Quang Noodles;
  • Bun bo Hue;
  • Vietnamese sticky rice;

2.3. Driving motorbikes

Besides public transportation, you can rent a motorbike to travel all over the country if you are interested in exploring by yourself. Driving can be experienced in other countries, but in Vietnam it will surely bring you an unforgettable memory when you are driving among the hustle and bustle of the streets, winding hills while still admiring the beauty of the sceneries along the roads.

2.4. Religion

You might not see many religions in other countries like Vietnam as the country is the combination of the main religions Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, and so on. The spiritual belief has an important effect on the local’s life and the citizen can freely follow their religious trusts. But no matter what religion they follow, Vietnamese are taught to be nice people, treat adults, their grandparents and parents well, and greatly contribute to society.

There are so many delightful things to talk about Vietnam, but it will be much more appealing that you can enjoy on your own. Just come and feel the land as there is no word can describe the amazing allure.