When I first went to Vietnam it was a bit of a mixed bag. People were still suspicious of travelers and there were a lot of scams. However, since then things have gotten better and I now love to go there. It’s a beautiful country with fantastic food and fancy garments. The local street food is really good and cheap (pho, bread, sandwiches, donuts) and there are lots of interesting markets to browse.
The coastal stretches of Vietnam are picture-perfect with white sandy beaches and tranquil lagoons. Inland, a patchwork of rippling mountains, vertiginous rice terraces and 1,000-year-old temples wow the senses. For more action, tackle the Hai Van Mountain Pass for jaw-dropping views and a thrilling motorbike ride over hairpin turns.
Take a side step to the northern hills to walk among hill tribes in Sapa, a high-mountain town with phenomenal cloud-licked views of Mount Fansipan. Or veer east to less-visited Bac Ha for an immersion into the life of the intricately costumed Flower Hmong people.
A trip to Vietnam would be incomplete without a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive network of narrow, unlit confines used by VC troops during the war. Whether you’re a history buff or not, it’s a truly fascinating experience and one I think everyone should do at least once.
The sprawling capital of Ho Chi Minh, or Saigon as it’s still sometimes called, is a lively, vibrant city with epic landmarks and an array of buzzing markets. Feast on meaty banh mi sandwiches, prawn-packed spring rolls and sizzling banh xeo pancakes. 베트남 밤문화 및 유흥 살펴보기