Reasons to Add Vietnam to Your Travel Bucket List
Vietnam is a place you might not have yet considered for your next travel destination or an addition to your travel bucket list, but perhaps it should be.
Vietnam, officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the most eastern country on what’s called the Indochina Peninsula. It’s also the 15th most populated country in the world, with borders to China, Laos,and Cambodia. Vietnam shares a water border with the Gulf of Thailand, as well as the Philippines.
The Tourist Visa
First, before you can start planning your trip, you may want to have an idea of some of the technicalities and logistics of visiting the country. For example, what about the Vietnam tourist visa?
If you need a visa, there is the Vietnamese tourist eVisa, allowing for an electronic travel authorization. When you use this option, you can go into Vietnam for up to 90 days as a tourist, or for other reasons.
You will have to meet certain requirements to get the electronic visa, but if you do, you can get it by going online and filling out a simple form.
Culture, History,and Architecture
Vietnam is a country steeped in unique, diverse history, and this includes architecture and their culture.
Different civilizations haveruled the area throughout time, which has led to influence in all the things you see around you when you visit Vietnam.
For example, the Dai Viet was a civilization ruling the north, and much of their culture, heavily influenced by China can be seen in some of Vietnam’s historic buildings like the Temperature of Literature.
In the south of Dai Viet was where the Cham people lived, and they were primarily Hindu and then Islamic, so you see their culture as well.
In addition to the historical cultural markers left in Vietnam, the present history is rich and fascinating as well. For example, there are temples, entertainment, and fine art that will keep you enthralled throughout the country.
Natural Beauty
The natural beauty is astounding in Vietnam, just as the cultural and architectural beauty is. There are all kinds of natural landscapes within the country. For example, around Sapa, there are stunning mountain peaks.
Vietnam also has forests, lakes, rivers,and rice fields. Along the Ha Long Bay are towers and cliffs made of limestone, and in Dong Hoi are some of the biggest natural caves of anywhere in the world.
When talking about Vietnam’s natural beauty, you certainly can’t neglect to speak about the beaches.
There are stunning beaches in Da Dang, Nha Trang, and Mui Ne. Many are perfect for anything from surfing and sunbathing to participating in adventurous watersports. The beaches are good for couples and families.
Affordability
With the cost of international travel on the rise to many destinations, affordability can be a big draw for a lot of people when they choose places to go. Most Southeast Asian countries are affordable travel destinations,and that certainly includes Vietnam. In fact, Vietnam is affordable even compared to other Southeast Asian destinations.
It’s possible to find hostels and hotel rooms for as cheap as $5 a night, and you can have a fairly high-end meal for two people for around $10. It’s really quite astounding when you compare it to the price of many other places you might travel around the world.
Food and Drink
The food and drink on its own might draw you into a visit to Vietnam. Vietnam, for example, is the second biggest exporter of coffee in the world. They have high-quality green tea also. It’s not uncommon to see coffee combined with things like egg yolk and yogurt in Vietnam too.
The fresh fruit is mouthwatering. You’ll be able to find everything from watermelon and pineapple to mango and mandarin.
Wherever you see fruit sold, which is most places in Vietnam, you’ll find that it’s very fresh and inexpensive.
Vietnam street food is world famous, and you can get pho noodle soup, banh mi, spring rolls, and seafood, just to name a few of the many delicacies.
Specific Attractions
Some of the specific attractions, of which there are many, include:
- Caving at Son Doong Cave which is formed by limestone and features a river that goes through both the cave and the jungle.
- Hiking at Sa Pa in northern Vietnam
- Go to Ha Long Bay, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Vietnam offers something for everyone and is certainly worthyof being on your travel list for the future.
