Top 25 Reasons to fall in Love with Vietnam

21, September, 2016

Top 25 Reasons to fall in Love with Vietnam

With its wonderful people, vibrant urban jungles, incredible natural landscapes, and UNESCO ancient cities, the Vietnam travel packages are certain to give something special. Here are 25 reasons to fall in love with Vietnam:

Activities
Beyond the delicious cuisine and beautiful sites, there are plenty of things to do in Vietnam to avoid getting bored. Visit Sapa for the traditional villages or go on the Vietnam trekking tour. Halong Bay is great to lounge on the beach, tube, swim or kayak. Dong Hoi is perfect for the explorer with its deep cave system. Visit the beach towns like Phu Quoc and Nha Trang for windsurfing, snorkelling or scuba diving adventures. Plus, the cities are great for water puppet shows, traditional dance and listening to live music.

Affordability
Vietnam is a great destination for the backpacker and budget traveller and often at the top of countries to visit. Travelling from city to city and shopping in the markets is all quite affordable. Local street food is cheap (compared to many other countries) and very delicious. Hotel and guest house stays can be as little as $25-$30 per night.

Beaches
Most of Vietnam’s beaches are in the southern part of the country and are not only beautiful (and a lot quieter than Thailand), but also rich in unique cultural and historical sights within a relatively short distance. Vietnam has the ability to boast a variety of stunning beaches that even able to overcome the idyllic spots seen in Thailand and Cambodia, which are starting to become over-travelled. Great places to visit include the gorgeous islands like Phu Quoc and Con Dao, as well as the less-travelled and quiet Doc Let.

Caves
Vietnam is rich in cave systems that are fascinating and waiting to be explored. Vietnam has the largest cave structure in the world: Son Doong Cave, which is located in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and only opened to the public in 2012. The network of caves at Son Doong is still limited and controlled, but the first mile or so is accessible to the adventurous traveller. Other caves to explore on the Vietnam travel package include those dotted along the coastline of Halong Bay with most offering a very cool atmosphere with the addition of lights installed inside.

phong nha caves

Coffee
Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer (after Brazil) in the world which means this country knows a lot about brewing a perfect cup of espresso. Coffee in Vietnam is a basic part of the local culture and widely served on the street and in cafes. After a long day of touring the city or countryside sights, a delicious cup of ca phe or iced coffee is certain to go down a treat.

Culture
The local Vietnamese culture is very vibrant and alive even with the active tourist industry. The countryside is filled with modest homes; bison led equipment and hardworking farmers. The street-side food stalls are seen everywhere in the cities, as well as the countryside. Plus, there is the traditional Vietnamese coffee and tea, the abundant cafe culture, and architecture influence by countries across the world.

Festivals
Vietnam has plenty of festivals taking place throughout the course of the year, which is thanks to its Buddhist influence, rich tradition and long history. The most famous is the Tet Holiday which is a perfect time to see how the local families celebrate their love for each other and ancestors. Other festivals include the well-known buffalo fighting festival that takes place in Hai Phong, and the 2nd of September is a public holiday with the chance to witness the nationwide parades.

Food
The Vietnamese food is unforgettable and distinct. Many of the authentic dishes rely on a balance of hot, sour, sweet and salty flavours that is achieved with the help of chilli peppers, the juice of tamarind or kalamansi citrus fruit, cane sugar, and nuoc mam (fish sauce). Most of the dishes make use of fresh herbs but aren’t intended to be overly spicy because the chilli sauces are served as a side dish. While travelling on the Vietnam tour packages, it is impossible to not taste the national dish: Pho (pronounced ‘furh’) which is a noodle soup rich in fresh herbs and vegetables and a broth with aromatic spices.

Fresh Fruit
Vietnam is blessed with unique and exotic fruit like the rambutan, dragon fruit and durian. Other fruits that may not be so easy to identify include the custard apples with its bumpy green skin, jack fruit, and mangosteens. Plus, there are the more familiar fruits like the watermelons, papayas, pineapples, mangos and bananas. Fruit production has seen a major increase in recent years, which is helped by the country’s long hours of warm sunshine.

Halong Bay
Top Vietnam travel destination and located in the Gulf of Tonkin, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay is one of the most popular and spectacular tourist sights in the Vietnam. Halong Bay has some 1600 islet and islands that have the ability to form a unique seascape consist of limestone pillars. Most of the islands in the bay are inhabited and relatively unaffected by the presence of humans. A tour on a traditional junk boat is a must-do activity and this area is easy to reach from the capital city, Hanoi.

traveling to vietnam from the us

Hanoi
Vietnam's capital; Hanoi has plenty to see and do. The city streets are a constant noise of surging scooters and blaring horns, while its past history with periods of Chinese and French occupation is noticeable throughout the area. A few of the highlights of Hanoi include the Old Quarter, the Hoa Lo Prison and the French Quarter. Discover an evolving arts scene, sample market wares and dine on the wonderful and wild on every corner. A Vietnam tour package considers incomplete without a stay in Hanoi for at least 2 nights.

History
Vietnam’s history has been difficult and complex with its share of colonial occupation, invasions and of attacks. Vietnam has been divided and occupied by a few countries over the years, which left behind Colonial influences in relation to the coffee, food and architecture. Signs of the Vietnam War are still apparent. Places to visit to get a better appreciation of the country’s fascinating past struggles include the War Remnants Museum (Ho Chi Minh City), the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi), and Cu Chi Tunnels (Ho Chi Minh City).

Hoi An
Hoi An is a lovely, picturesque place that is a traveller’s favourite and a recognised UNESCO World Heritage. Its delightful ambience makes it a must-see place with plenty to see and do. Explore the city and walk the narrow lanes to see its unique past with Chinese, French, and Japanese influences. Also, if you factor in the colonial French architecture and canal-side setting, this is a gorgeous place to visit on any Vietnam holiday packages. While the day is beautiful, the night time really comes to life with the street lanterns lit-up.

Imperial Citadel, Hue
The 19th century Imperial Citadel in Hue is a sprawling complex, rich in museums, galleries, shops, moats, pavilions, tombs and temples. Soaked in history, most of this past palace and walled fortress has been rejuvenated (partially destructed during the Vietnam War) – although it is still possible to explore some of the old sections in their original condition. One of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this hidden charm is a must-see attraction for travellers exploring the country.

vietnam package tour

Landscapes
Vietnam has some of the most unique and stunning vistas in Southeast Asia. Get magnificent views of the horizon over the country, which is best admired at sunset. To really appreciate the real Vietnam, trek into the wilderness or use a motorbike to get out into the countryside for its rich diversity of scenery. From the rich-soiled, coffee-producing highlands to the rice-cultivating tropical lowlands, this county gives a varied and unique travel experience.  During a Vietnam tour package, tourists will see some of the most beautiful landscapes of the world.

Markets
Many tourists are unable to stop themselves from experiencing the market atmosphere in Vietnam. A major reason for this is the variety of quality goods on display, from the ornaments, silk and flowers to fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. Great for the budget travellers, the prices are very tempting and there is even the option to bargain the price down for a great saving. Most of the markets throughout the cities are active at the start of the day and later in the evening, which helps to beat the heat of the midday sun. Shop the markets and get bombarded with unique gifts and mementos.

Mekong Delta
Nearly 22% of the population of Vietnam live within close proximity to the Mekong Delta in the southwest of the country. The Mekong River has plenty to offer the tourist experiencing the Vietnam travel packages and is certain to be wowed on a boat trip that visits the floating markets. Plus, the local people are really welcoming and friendly which makes it possible to get a real appreciate the day-to-day life of those living in the region.

National Parks
The national parks in Vietnam are a perfect place to visit for the nature lovers. A few of the most famous include Cat Ba national park, Cuc Phuong national park, Cham Island and Cat Tien national park. In total there are over 80 national parks throughout the county from north to south that give a perfect opportunity for the tourist on the Vietnam travel package to fully appreciate the natural beauty and the unique and rare wildlife.

North Vietnam
North Vietnam is a rich mountainous terrain. One the most populous karst formations are located in the region: the Dong Van Karst Plateau. It is possible to literally see mountains disappear into the local mist. In the heartland with its villages and hill-tribe culture, there are plenty of paddy-fields throughout the tropical countryside. A motorbike trip that winds through the twisting roads leads to a rural world that is a world away from the noise of the big-city streets.

north vietnam tour packages

People
The local Vietnamese people seen on the Vietnam tour packages are undeniably optimistic, industrious, generous and thoughtful. While it is likely to come across a few people that are quite pushy, the vast majority is lovely, and you should take every opportunity to stop, chat and get to know them on your travels.

Sapa
Located in the northwest of Vietnam, Sapa helps to create one of the country’s most picturesque regions. This mountainous area is rich in mountain peaks and dramatic rice terraces that make its natural landscape a must-see sight on any sensible tourist itinerary. Sapa is a major destination for the trekking tours with the ability to explore the cascading rice terraces and surrounding countryside. It is relatively easy to reach via overnight train from the capital city; Hanoi.

Seafood
Many cities throughout Vietnam are famous for their local cuisine such as fresh seafood. Freshly caught prawns, crabs, snails or fish are ever popular in the restaurants and on the street stalls. And because the fish is so fresh and only caught a few hours ago, there is usually no smell when walking in the food section of the markets.

Street Food
Highlight of all Vietnam travel packages, the street food scene in Vietnam is outstanding. Whether it is Beef noodles (Pho bo), Roll cake (Banh cuon), Papaya salad with pork liver (goi bo), Broken rice (Com tam), or iconic Noodle soup (Pho), the opportunity to try the street food is something that is a must-do part aspect of touring the cities in Vietnam. At any time of the day, food stalls are accessible to locals congregating near markets and outside store fronts while sitting on small plastic stools to savour their favourite dishes.

Street life
The street culture in Vietnam and most of Southeast Asia for that matter is exceptional. In major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the motorcycles are constantly buzzing about, with vendors harassing to buy everything from fresh-cut fruit to cheap lighters, and women washing utensils by street vendor stalls. It can be overwhelming and chaotic, but it is still a treat to witness in person.

Vegetables
While it may not be possible to recognize all the vegetables that are served on the Vietnam Holidays, you still want to give them a try. From morning glory to bitter melon, the local dishes like stir-fries and shredded salads are rich in vegetables. A visit to the local Vietnamese market makes it possible to buy the vegetables of choice that are super fresh.