In this video, we'll explore Vietnam.
This travel guide is based on our exciting trip to this enchanting country.
We would like to thank VinFast,
an electric car manufacturer from Vietnam, for sponsoring this video. More about them later.
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And share your Vietnam experience in the comments below.
Whether you are visiting Vietnam for its diverse landscape, beautiful beaches, delicious food,
history, or its buzzing cities and friendly people,
the country offers limitless opportunities to explore and have fun.
So, what are some of the best things you can do in Vietnam? Let's find out.
With almost one hundred million people, Vietnam is among the most populous countries in the world.
Let's get a short geography lesson out of the way first.
This narrow, long, S-shaped country lies in the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia
and is surrounded by three neighboring countries: China, Laos, and Cambodia.
It also shares maritime borders with four other countries.
Vietnam is one of the world's fastest-growing economies,
something that becomes obvious right away when driving across the country
by the number of new real estate projects and commercial properties.
Although not Vietnam's largest city, Hanoi is the country's capital and lies
in the northern part of Vietnam. The city's long history can be traced back to the 3rd century BC.
From ancient pagodas and citadels to stunning architecture, Hanoi is a city worth exploring.
With over 8 million people, this vibrant capital is famous for delicious street food,
scooters crowding the streets, ancient temples, the complex history of French
and Chinese occupation, and the aftermath of the Vietnam War in the 20th century.
Wander around and soak up the atmosphere, try to cross the street like a local,
and taste some of the typical Vietnamese food, including the pho noddle dish,
typically eaten for breakfast, or a tasty baguette-style sandwich called banh mi.
You’ll only pay up to $1 for the entire sandwich and seat on one of these cute
small chairs that are actually the standard chairs for eateries and cafés in Vietnam.
For all the cofffee lovers out there, don't skip tasty Vietnamese iced milk coffee
or egg coffee invented due to milk shortages in the past. It is served hot or cold, and you
can even try one at Cafe Giang, supposedly the birthplace of this delicious coffee.
Don't forget to exchange your currency to Vietnamese Dongs
to buy food or pay for the attractions. Just to have a little bit of an orientation:
1 million Vietnamese dongs is about 44 USD. You’ll pay typically around
US$1 for the food, transportation around the city center, etc. which makes it around 23.000 dongs.
Sometimes you can even pay in US Dollars, especially when you're paying for hotels, etc.
Explore Hanoi's Old Quarter with streets bearing the name of the goods sold there,
beautiful St. Joseph's Cathedral resembling Notre Dame de Paris, which was, in fact, one
of the first buildings constructed by the French colonial government in Indochina,
Visit the Instagram-famous train street with cafes and restaurants alongside a train track,
or head to the Sword Lake with two islands.
Ngoc Son Temple, accessible by a bridge, is based on a local legend.
This Confucian temple is especially enchanting by night. Just keep in mind to dress modestly
before entering religious places, like temples. That also applies to around 1,000 year old
Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and other scholars with many altars and shrines.
Hanoi is home to other beautiful lakes, like the West Lake, a popular place for sports activities,
also featuring the beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda.
In the evening, go see a water puppet show that originated in the 11th century
showcasing local myths and legends. And what better way to wrap up your day
than by visiting the quintessential beer street or exploring Hanoi night markets.
Some of these attractions can be explored on foot, but to travel around the city,
use convenient motorbike taxis called Grab or bicycle rickshaws known as cyclo.
Make sure to check our Hanoi walking tour to get the real
feel of the city. The link is in the description.
Vietnam is a safe destination for tourists. Still, watch your belongings, especially in big cities
and around popular tourist attractions. Like anywhere in the major cities around the world,
pickpocketing is common. And be careful when crossing the street.
Don't forget to explore the Red River or, as the Vietnamese people call it,
The Mother River along with its tributaries, in a place like Trang An or Ninh Binh,
located just around 60 miles south of Hanoi, in the river's delta.
If you have some time left, don't forget to visit also other places in northern Vietnam,
including the highest mountain in Indochina,
Fansipan nicknamed "the Roof of Indochina," and a beautiful Buddhist temple accessible by cable car.
Sa Pa with paddy rice terraces enchanting Ha Giang province,
known for limestone formations, mountains and springs
or stunning Ban Gioc waterfalls on the Quay Son River neighboring Guangxi, China.
Depending on the time of the year you decide to visit, remember the following:
although Vietnam has a tropical climate, the northern part of the country can get very cold.
The temperatures in the winter in Hanoi can even drop below 50 °F or 10 °C, and with the humidity,
it seems even colder. So, always check the weather forecast before traveling and dress accordingly.
The average winter temperature in Hanoi can range between 57-72 °F and 79-93 °F in the summer.
If you are traveling to Ho Chi Minh City and other parts of southern Vietnam, the temperature are higher.
If you visit Vietnam between June and November, pack an umbrella and waterproof jacket as well as shoes
for the rainy season, which fortunately typically only comes in short bursts.
While in the area, embark on a junk boat cruise or other sailing experience around Ha Long Bay,
with thousands of limestone islands emerging over emerald, green waters
that seem like something straight out of a movie. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is probably unlike
anything else you've ever seen. The word Ha Long derives from the Vietnamese word meaning
"descending dragons." According to a legend, a dragon was supposed to settle in the bay
to protect the local people from intruders. The bay offers a plethora of activities,
from kayaking and scuba diving to hiking and even rock climbing.
You can even stay overnight while cruising around this unique and beautiful landscape.
By the way, exploring Vietnam comes with a fantastic value for money.
The price of services, food, and attractions is very low,
especially for the quality and the standards of service and products.
Vietnam also offers one of the best price-quality ratios when booking your accommodation.
You can get a beautiful hotel in a city for as little as US$20 per night
or decide to spend just a little more and get the luxury treatment and pamper yourself
in one of the countless resorts spread around the country, like Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long.
We would like to thank VinFast for sponsoring this video.
VinFast is Vietnam's startup car manufacturer, now entering the US and European markets.
We were lucky enough to test-drive VF8 during a tour of their state-of-the art factory.
VinFast is part of VinGroup, the largest conglomerate in Vietnam.
The group's tourism division is also the owner of some of the most luxurious hotels
across the country, such as Vinpearl Ha Long Bay and Vinpearl Nha Trang.
Check out the links in the description to learn more about VinFast EVs and the unique VinGroup hotels.
And now let's continue: Central Vietnam offers new amazing attractions to discover.
Hue, the nationa's capital from 1802 to 1945 and the seat of its last emperors,
is now a lively city and a popular travel destination. If you have some time left,
explore the beautiful Thuy Tien Lake and its abandoned Water Park.
Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam, is famous for sandy beaches and is Vietnam's main surfing hub.
In just about an hour's drive, you can walk across the world-renowned Golden Bridge.
Don’t skip beautiful Marble Mountains with many caves and temples.
The fairy-tale-like Hoi An, is known for
textile industry and its skilled tailors, romantic canals, well preserved Ancient Town, especially
charming by night and memorable for the paper lanterns, a tradition going back over 400 years.
If you love scuba diving, then a visit to Nha Trang is a must. This coastal resort city is famous
for its beautiful beaches, 1000-years-old Po Nagar temple, tiny islands, and perfect diving spots.
Don't forget to explore other cities alongside South Central Coast of Vietnam.
And now, let's visit the country's largest city, Ho Chi Minh City,
with a population of around nine million. The most convenient mode of transportation
to get to this metropolis is by a 2-hour flight from Hanoi for as little as US$40
or a flight from other cities in Vietnam and many international destinations.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, lies in the southern part of the country.
The city got its name after a Vietnamese revolutionary and politician Ho Chi Minh,
whose mausoleum you can see in Hanoi. Before the 17th century, the area was a part of historic empires.
The city played a central role in the Vietnam war that lasted for 20 years
and ended with the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It experienced rapid growth after the war.
Ho Chi Minh City has a lot to offer, from temples and modern architecture,
like Landmark 81 or Bitexco Financial Tower, both skyscrapers offering an observation deck.
Try some street food, delicious coffee or walk around markets like Binh Tay Market or
Ben Thanh Market. Explore the historic District 1 with unique architecture,
including the Vietnam History Museum, People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Independence Palace,
the beautiful Sai Gon Central Post Office, Taoist and other temples.
Did you know that Ho Chi Minh is home to another version of Notre Dame
built from the material imported from France? It is simply called the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon.
And same as in Hanoi, you can use cheap and convenient
Grab motorbikes or cyclos to get around the city.
Visit Cu Chi Tunnel hiding and supply spots during the Vietnam war
situated an hour drive from Ho Chi Minh. Don't forget to explore Mekong's delta,
a network of rivers and islets. The delta is famous for Vietnamese basket boats moving
between villages and markets and beautiful Buddhist temple - Vinh Trang Pagoda.
Vietnam is full of world-famous sights as well as an abundance of surprising hidden gems
left to be discovered by you when you travel to this beautiful country.