Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country on the South China Sea known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist

pagodas and bustling cities. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era
leader, Ho Chi Minh, via a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French
colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Củ Chi tunnels, used by Viet Cong
soldiers.
Capital: Hanoi
Currency: Vietnamese dong
Points of interest: Hạ Long Bay, Cu Chi Tunnels, Phú Quốc,
Official language: Vietnamese

FACTS ABOUT VIETNAM

Vietnam is the country of motorbikes
In Vietnam, motorbikes are everywhere! According to the Ministry of Transport figures from 2013, of
the 90+ million population, 37 million were registered with a motorbike and only 2 million with a car.
Owning a car is incredibly expensive because the tax is around 100-200%, so it’s a luxury reserved for
the very wealthy. The tax for motorbikes is far cheaper, making it a more affordable means of
transportation for everyday folk.
So on your first arrival in Hanoi or Saigon, the first interesting fact you'll most like notice is that literally
everything is done/carried on the motorbike.
Vietnamese coffee is unique in the world
Vietnam is the world’s second largest coffee-producing nation after Brazil, producing 16% of the world’s
total coffee (Brazil’s is 40%).
Coffee in Vietnam is incredibly tasty, cheap, and the iced version a refreshing drink to cool you down
during the warm, humid months.
Kings of the cashew nut
Vietnam is the world's largest exporter of cashew nuts, producing 37% of the global number.
The nut itself is in fact the seed that grows at the bottom of the cashew apple, a fruit rich in nutrients
and containing five times the amount of Vitamin C of oranges. The cashew tree is native to Brazil, but
Vietnam seems to produce far more of them.
Vietnam is shaped like the letter S
Our first interesting fact about Vietnam is its shape. We love our funky shaped countries especially ones
that resemble glamorous high heels (Italy).
We particularly like the shape of Vietnam because S also stands for Stefan and Sebastien
White skin is considered perfection
In the West, tanned skin is usually regarded as more ideal then pale white, usually a sign a
holiday, hence the popularity of tanning / sunbeds. In Asia, particularly Vietnam, the complete opposite
applies.
White is considered the ideal skin colour and any form of tanned skin frowned upon because it's a sign
of being a labourer working in the sun.
As a result, whitening products are big business across the country and the Vietnamese cover up as
much as possible when in the sun, whether they're working the fields or at the beach!
Everyone is called Nguyen, even uncle Ho
Ho Chi Minh and Nguyen (pronounced “win”) are the two most common names you see everywhere in
Vietnam.
Nguyen is the most popular family name in Vietnam, used by around 40% of the population and is also
the birth name of the famous Ho Chi Minh.
Ho Chi Minh led the fight for independence against the French and the Japanese. During the subsequent
US war, he was regarded as such an important symbol of unification that in 1976, Saigon was renamed
Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia, in a region known as Indochina. It spans along the coastline of the
South China Sea and borders Laos and Cambodia to the west. It is a communist state that became sadly
known for the Vietnam War. However, many aspects of this culture, including its diverse gastronomy,
are often unknown to many Westerners.

Quick Facts About Vietnam:

 Population of more than 90 million people.
 Plenty of fertile land, and rice crops are abundant.
 One of the world's largest coffee producers.
 Culture is a combination of local traditions and Chinese, French, and American influences.
 The official language is Vietnamese. It has different tones for each syllable but, unlike most
Asian languages, it uses the Roman alphabet.
 Buddhism is the main religion. It coexists with Confucianism and Taoism; a smaller part of the
population is Catholic.
 Family is very important. Extended family and several generations often live together.
 Older family members are respected and admired.
 When invited, guests are expected to bring a gift, such as fruit, sweets, or flowers. However,
yellow flowers are considered bad omens, and black-colored item are related to death and
mystery, so those should be avoided.
 Motorbikes are a popular form of transport, often ridden by more than two people.
 The most important holiday is Tet, which celebrates the Lunar New Year, usually in January or
February.
 Food is very important. Cooking and eating are important parts of daily life. Food is related to
religion, festivities, and the search for a balanced life. It is known for its balanced textures,
flavors, and appearance, and it is considered one of the healthiest cuisines.
Vietnamese Food
Words are not enough for describing Vietnamese food. Eating it is a stimulating experience for the
senses. The eyes are amazed by the diverse colors, the nose by the delicious smells, the ears by the
crunchy ingredients, the hands by the delicate textures, and, of course, the many flavors are exciting to
the tongue.
The Vietnamese cuisine gives great importance to balance and the accurate combination of different
flavors and ingredients. The dishes feature simple elements that are colorful and tasty, creating
a contrast. They often include salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter flavors, all combined and equilibrated
together.
A feast of Vietnamese food
These are some of the most popular dishes:
Chao
Chao is a porridge, a warm dish of rice, similar to the Chinese congee. It is prepared by cooking the rice
in a broth, together with a meat like chicken or duck, and herbs. The meat is often served as a side dish.
Plain chao served with nothing but rice, is a popular breakfast and also a humble meal of the Buddhist
monks.

Chao dish
Banh Chung
Banh chung is a cake made of sticky rice combined with spices, pork meat, and beans. The rice and
beans are soaked in water, and then all the ingredients are wrapped together, commonly using a banana
leaf. Then the cake is cooked in water and stored if not eaten right away. It is commonly boiled again
before eating. The banh chung is especially popular during the New Year celebrations.

Halong Bay
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay off the northern coast is one of the top attractions in
Vietnam. It is home to magical scenery. More than 3,000 limestone crags and half-submerged outcrops
riddled with caves pepper the indigo-coloured bay. The soaring sails of multiple Chinese-style junk boats
and sampans glide across the water adding to the beauty. For an authentic experience, spend the night
on a traditional sailing junk and visit one of the floating fishing villages as part of Insight Guides'
Discover Vietnam trip.
 Halong Bay in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s southern capital and economic powerhouse. A dynamic metropolis, it is
home to everything an international city has to offer – upmarket restaurants, high-end hotels and stores
selling imported designer goods. Grand French colonial buildings stand within easy reach of ancient
pagodas helping to maintain elements of the city’s old Saigonese charm. Fascinating cultural attractions
include the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and War Remnants Museum. Downtown District 1, traditionally
the French Quarter, has trendy bars and cafés, fine dining and plentiful shopping. There are also a
wealth of sites bearing testament to the city’s colonial legacy.
Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon) is a city in southern Vietnam famous for the pivotal role it
played in the Vietnam War. It's also known for its French colonial landmarks, including Notre-Dame
Cathedral, made entirely of materials imported from France, and the 19th-century Central Post Office.
Food stalls line the city’s streets, especially around bustling Bến Thành Market.
The story of wartime Saigon is told at the War Remnants Museum, the tunnel network at Củ Chi and
Independence Palace, where North Vietnamese tanks famously breached the gates in April 1975. The
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens are home to elephants, tigers and rare orchids. Native plants and
animals may also be seen at the Cần Giờ Biosphere Reserve, a mangrove forest at the mouth of the
Saigon River. The Jade Emperor Pagoda is filled with incense and carved figurines, and features
elaborate statuary and a turtle pond.
Hue
The city of Hue, in the heart of the country, straddles a maze of moats and canals, lotus lakes and the
sleepy Perfume River. The Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the former home of the
Nguyen dynasty, the kings and queens of which now lie in elaborate nearby mausoleums. To discover
the site's secrets, take a guided tour of the royal tombs in Hue as part of Insight Guides' The Wonders of
Vietnam trip.

People in traditional costume pass under an archway in the Imperial City of Hue, Vietnam.

Nha Trang
On Vietnam’s south-east coast, the resort city of Nha Trang overlooks the South China Sea. In a
spectacular location, backed by mountains, the city benefits from an expansive stretch of palm-fringed,
white sand beach. The main reason to visit, however, lies out in the bay. Divers and snorkellers head to
offshore islands to enjoy close-up views of some of the country’s finest coral reefs. With its laid-back
atmosphere, Nha Trang is the perfect destination to break up a journey, relax and soak up the sun.
Ideally placed in the middle of Insight Guides' Vietnam and Cambodia by Rail trip, our carefully planned
itinerary ensures you can do exactly that.
Hanoi
This vibrant city is both the political and cultural capital of Vietnam. With a complex history, yet
brimming with modern energy and potential, Hanoi’s blend of colonial charm and contemporary luxury
make it the place to really get the measure of 21st-century Vietnam. The Old Quarter dates back 700
years. Its nickname ‘36 Streets’, refers to the 36 merchant guilds founded in the district during the 15th
century. Each is located on its respective street in an area dotted with pagodas, temples and ancient
banyan trees. The neighbouring Ba Dinh district is home to cultural monuments such as the 11th-
century One Pillar Pagoda and the dignified Presidential Palace. A visit to the pilgrimage site of Ho Chi
Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum is a good stepping stone toward understanding the Vietnam of today.
The French Quarter’s tree-lined avenues contrast with the luxury apartment developments and
shopping malls that have appeared in the city over the last 20 years.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

One of the world's best caving destinations, World Heritage-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a
dramatic karst mountain formation honeycombed with huge caverns, which are home to superb
stalactite and stalagmite displays. The most popular destination within the park is the Paradise Cave,
which extends for a staggering 31 kilometers below ground. The yawning caverns here are truly
spectacular. Tu Lan Cave is a "wet cave," and a visit here includes swimming through the cave-systems
river. The other most popular excursion is to the Phong Nha Caves, where the interior is accessed by
boat. You can access Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park from Son Trach.
 My Son
Surrounded by lush jungle-covered mountains, My Son is a ruined Cham era temple city that dates from
the 4th century. This old Hindu religious center was still very much in use during the 7th to 10th
centuries and only fell into complete decline and abandonment during the 13th century. There are
around 20 temple structures still standing here, all built of brick or sandstone blocks and showing
interesting influences from various Asian empires, including Indian and Malay. Note that the temples of
Group B are the oldest, while Group A once contained the site's most important monument but was
destroyed deliberately by US forces during the Vietnam War. A good museum on-site houses plenty of
information on the Cham. Access to My Son is from Hoi An.
Hoi An
Beautiful Hoi An is the most atmospheric city in Vietnam, with bags of surviving historic architecture.
The old town quarter is a joy to explore, packed to the brim with well-preserved merchant houses that
hark back to Hoi An's trading center heyday of the 15th century, when the town was a major meeting
point for Japanese and Chinese merchants who flocked here for the local silks. Plenty of the old
merchant houses have been opened to the public, so you can get a taste of these times. The best is
17th-century Tan Ky House, with fascinating architectural and decorative elements.
Hoi An's major symbol is the delightful Japanese Bridge at the western end of Tran Phu Street, while
nearby, the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation is the old town's most highly decorated
temple. There are numerous small pagodas and museums dotted about town, but Hoi An's true charm is
found in simply rambling the old town streets admiring the well-preserved facad

Sapa Countryside
The verdant rice field countryside surrounding Sapa, bordered by the jagged peaks of the Hoang Lien
Mountains (often still known by their French colonial era name of the Tonkinese Alps), are home to
Vietnam's most beautiful rural vistas. The deep valleys here are home to a diverse mix of the country's
ethnic minorities including the Hmong, Giay, and Red Dzao people while the rippling hills are terraced
with rice fields and overlooked by the country's tallest peak, Fansipan Mountain. This is the top trekking
destination in Vietnam, with oodles of options to trek or day hike between tiny villages and experiences
the staggering mountain views. Sapa itself is the main base here - an old French hill station and now a
bustling and forever growing tourist center that is a stark contrast to the sumptuous tranquil
countryside right on its doorstep.
Củ Chi Tunnels
An absolutely fascinating experience for all travelers, not just those interested in Vietnam's modern
military history, the Củ Chi Tunnels are an extensive tunnel network that during the war, stretched for
more than 250 kilometers, allowing VC troops to operate and communicate in the area surrounding Ho
Chi Minh City. Two short sections of the network can be visited with a guide who'll take you down into
the narrow unlit confines, which definitely are not for claustrophobia sufferers. You will literally be
crawling on your hands and knees and some points. You can access the tunnels at either Ben Dinh village
(the more popular choice) or Ben Duoc village

Ba Be National Park
Tranquil Ba Be National Park is absolutely stunning with the three interlinked Ba Be Lakes at its heart,
rimmed by jagged karst peaks and thickly forested slopes. Most visitors come here to take peaceful boat
trips or kayak on the lake and explore the caves full of stalactites and stalagmites in the vicinity, but for
the more active, there's also excellent hiking and trekking in the hills here between ethnic minority
villages. This is one of the most peaceful spots in Vietnam, and travelers who spend the night here sleep
in traditional stilt-house homestay accommodation along the lakeshore, allowing an experience of
simple rural life.