With a fascinating jumble of traditional and modern culture, delicious cuisine, and friendly people, Vietnam is a popular destination for travelers from Negros and beyond. If you’re visiting for the first time, it helps to prepare in advance for the new sights and experiences that you’ll encounter. The following are a few attractions you won’t want to miss, along with some tips to help you make the most of your journey.
Must-See Sights
From the lush green rice fields of the north to the elaborate temples dotting the countryside, there’s plenty to admire in Vietnam. First-time travellers won’t want to miss destinations like Ha Long Bay, which features thousands of small islands dotted with caves and jungle greenery. The Cu Chi Tunnels are another interesting sight. Located about a half hour outside of Ho Chi Minh City, the tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War and can now be explored by tourists. There are many stunning temples in Vietnam, but one of the most notable is the Thien Mu Pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River. It is seven stories tall and was originally constructed in 1601. After exploring urban markets, museums, and bustling nightlife, you may be ready to get away from it all and head to a seaside resort like NhaTrang. With clean white sand and clear water, it also is a prominent centre of scuba diving.
Travel and Safety Tips
A good way to save money as you travel around the countryside is to take an overnight bus to your onward destination. This can help you save on accommodation costs and you will wake up to beautiful scenery rolling by. Another way to save money is to leave your mobile phone at home to avoid roaming charges. Instead, there are SIM card deals that will give you low per-minute rates to call friends and family. To save even more money, you can simply use them for texting. It’s important to remember that you may not receive perfect reception in rural or remote regions of the country, so you’ll want to save important phone calls for urban areas. A local SIM card can also be used to call hotels or research things to do at your destination.
Learning a bit of local etiquette can help you make new friends. The traditional way to greet someone in Vietnam is to press your hands together and take a slight bow. However, handshakes are also a popular option. If you plan to visit temples, you’ll want to dress conservatively to show respect. Women’s tops should cover the shoulders, and shoes must be removed before entering temples. It’s also customary to remove shoes before entering someone’s home.
Although Vietnam is generally a safe country to visit, like any destination there are some scams to be on the alert for. This is particularly true in the larger cities of Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, where taxis may take a suspiciously scenic tour. If you think that you’re going the wrong way, ask the driver to stop so that you can hail a new taxi. Whenever possible, organise a taxi through your hotel. Like anywhere, it’s also a good idea to stay alert and travel in groups after dark, as there are pickpockets who frequent nightlife zones. By planning ahead and making the most of all that Vietnam has to offer, you can have a memorable and relaxing holiday.
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