Overview About Vietnam

To be proud as a Vietnamese person, we have an ambition to advertise Vietnamese culture and the beautiful landscapes to foreign visitors and provide you some tips when traveling in Vietnam and from that the foreigner can avoid culture shock.

Weather:

Although the weather in Vietnam is extremely variable, it’s possible to distinguish two main seasons: a dry season from November to May, and the rainy season from June to October. However, this generalization disguises considerable variations in other aspects of the weather throughout the country.

People: Nowhere in the world people smile as much as in Vietnam. Vietnamese people are very friendly, polite and generous. In general, we will make every effort to have foreign guests feel comfortable. In the cities and countryside towns, do not be surprised to be invited into a home to meet the family of someone you may have just met. These are the experiences that will enrich your visit to Vietnam.

Accommodation: In Vietnam is generally getting a bit difficulty. Whether you are in Vietnam on vacation or on business, it is not quite hard to find a hotel, especially the 5 or 4 star hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.  You can book by yourselves for sure, but normally with quite expensive price.

Shopping: Shopping in Vietnam is a fun and interesting experience, and guarantees good bargains to those who know what to look for. It is true to say that you can find nearly anything in Vietnam. Markets vary from high class shopping malls, supermarkets to bustling open market, galleries, boutiques and street stalls.

In terms of shopping for tourists, Vietnam is most famous for its handicrafts, war souvenirs, authentic clothing, art, antiques and gems.

Food: Vietnamese Cuisine is a mixture of Chinese , French and a little Thai influence. It is probably one of the best cuisine in Asia . The basic ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine are rice and the famous fish-sauce "nouc mam".

One of the specialities of Vietnamese cuisine is spring rolls - the ingredients and size vary - depending on within the region of the country . The traditional breakfast - chicken soup ( pho ga ) or beef soup ( pho bo ) is available at most of the food stalls on the main streets of nearly very city in Vietnam.

All common dishes with pork , fish , beef are on a menu - also expect to find , mostly in the North of Vietnam , restaurants serving snake and other " delicacies ".

Transportation:

Not known for modern conveniences, Vietnam has an inconvenient transportation system.  This in itself has been an obstacle for the Vietnamese to overcome while advancing economically.  The main mode of transportation is that of the bicycle rickshaw, bicycles are also popular and are used for transport to and from work for most Vietnamese.  Others use it for carrying groceries and other items as well and have managed to make packing the bicycle almost an art with the tremendous loads that are carried.   Although improvements have been attempted, particularly with the major roadways, the main source of transportation for goods is by barge, utilizing the many rivers and canals.

Outdated ports, even major ones for international shipping, are still behind the times, as is the state-run Vietnamese Airlines.  The airline does have both domestic and international flights, but the fact that the majority of their planes are outdated Soviet models hinders growth.  The government is taking a more active role with the airline in that it is attempting to purchase new planes from Europe and the U.S.

What to bring: To prepare for your journey, begin with things that are critical - those that couldn't be replaced in Vietnam if they were left behind or lost. Passports, tickets and so on are obvious, but the loss of a pair of spectacles or a pair of orthopedic shoes can ruin your holiday if you can't manage without them - always carry spares.

If you forget something, it isn't a disaster because you should be able to find a substitute locally. Good quality, ready to wear clothes are easily obtainable, although larger sizes are difficult to find. Exceptions are shoes (Vietnamese feet are generally a lot smaller than those of people in the West), brassieres and women's swimsuits (for similar reasons!).