Features of a trip to Vietnam: personal experience. What tourists can not do in Vietnam Useful information about holidays in Vietnam

22.11.202127.05.2017

So, I went in February, the ticket was an economy class.

What you need to know in advance:

1. Do not take a lot of things with you. Economy class allows you to take 20 kg of luggage and 5 kg of hand luggage per person (business class - 30 and 10 respectively), not counting winter clothes. For overweight you will be asked to pay at the rate of 15 bucks per 1 kg. The less you carry with you in your luggage, the more gifts, fruits, and things you can take out of Vietnam on the way back. Among the obligatory things are comfortable, proven, open summer shoes (slates, flip flops), sunscreen. From warm clothes: do not take such a turtleneck with a throat and long sleeves, for a trip to Dalat, “winter” clothes in which you flew out will fit.

2. Be prepared for the fact that upon arrival you will have problems with digestion, stock up on medicines in this case. There is nothing to worry about: local cuisine, climate change, an abundance of fruits are doing their job. It's not for long. Wet wipes are also indispensable in this case, to wipe your hands before eating!

3. If you love (will) walk, there is a chance that even the most comfortable shoes will rub your feet. Take a patch with you. Damage must be decontaminated. I used iodine and softened calluses with coconut oil.

4. If you want to travel further than the tourist quarter, know that the farther, the worse people understand Russian. Yes, and in English too. Download a translator for yourself or use Google translator on your smartphone, just be sure to download the Vietnamese language so that it is available without the Internet.

What you need to know on the spot

1. WiFi is available almost everywhere - in a hotel, in any cafe, salon, on the beach (but bad), do not hesitate to ask the staff for the password. I put my phone on airplane mode and chatted via WhatsApp. Those who wish can spend money on a local SIM card. I didn't see the point in that.

2. Be sure to take a business card of your hotel at the reception. It is good to show it to the taxi driver if you get lost. Delivered without further explanation.

3. The guys from the Russian Information Center (RIC) will answer almost any questions. And, for free. There they even gave us a card reader and access to a computer so that we could save the memory card from the camera.

And remember, we are tourists there, that is, people on whom the local population, by definition, makes money. Do not bargain for every thousand dongs, bargain within reasonable limits! Moreover, the Vietnamese have not yet learned how to deceive and do not greatly break the price of the Russians.

And now particulars.

Hotel. We had Indochina (Indochina), 2 stars. Neat, 6 floors, elevator. If you do not like the number, it is easy, if available, to change to another. The rooms face either the courtyard (pluses - silence, minuses - view of the building), or the street (pluses - balcony, good view, minuses - very noisy from early morning until late evening).

View from the balcony of the hotel to the street

The room has air conditioning, a refrigerator with drinks for some money, a TV with Russian Channel One. The bathroom is combined - toilet, shower, sink. In that order, counting from the far wall. The room is cleaned every day, you can leave the linen in the basket, for some money they will wash it for you. The price of washing depends on the quantity and types of clothes. Personally, I only went to the shower in the room and slept at night, the rest of the time - on the street.

Breakfast (buffet) is included in the ticket. The menu changes within the following list: hot stew (meat / fish / chicken with vegetables, vegetables), fried rice or noodles, something fried in breadcrumbs (fish / chicken / tofu), soup (there were 3 types in two weeks), Russian salad (Olivier type), vegetable salads, simply chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, juice (2 kinds) and tea or coffee. Any sauces. Plus watermelon or banana. You can also eat on the balcony from which you can see the sea.

The hotel is located in a good location (second street from the sea), near the night market, the Russian Information Center, the 3G cafe, shops, an inexpensive fruit point at the entrance.

The building opposite breaks the idyll. But this is the current trouble of the whole of Nha Trang, the coastal zone is being actively built up.

Sea and beach. The sea (24 degrees and above) is a 5-minute walk from the Indochina Hotel. We went to meet the dawn. By the way, until 6 am on the square near the beach, they do exercises for free and teach dancing. The sea is not transparent, they say, the water is muddied by a river that flows into it nearby. The beach is open from 9:00 to 17:00, sunbeds are paid - 40-50 thousand pieces, an umbrella is attached.

If you bring your own, you can wallow for free. There was a strong wave, I floundered with pleasure, but many did not risk it. The beach has coarse sand, which, when leaving the sea, is skillfully clogged by the wave wherever possible. If you want a calm, clear sea, go to Zoklet or the islands.

Money. It’s better not to change the entire amount right away: it’s uncomfortable to wear and it’s difficult to track spending. 100 bucks is about 2 million, 700 thousand dongs, from zeros dazzles in the eyes. On the first day, it is enough to exchange 200 and it is advisable to be stingy until you get comfortable with prices and find cheap points of sale.

There is a safe at the reception where you can keep money. They are sealed in a bag with tape under the signature and give you a receipt. The most profitable money to exchange is the new 100 bucks bills. It is better to change in jewelry "Angora's Treasure" and "Princess", as well as in the "Russian Information Center".

They didn’t change at the bank, maybe it’s even more profitable there. At the hotel reception - an underestimated rate. To understand “how much is it in rubles?”, Take away three zeros from the price tag, and multiply the rest by three.

For example, a kilo of mango costs 25,000 dong: zeros are thrown away, 25 * 3, we got 75 rubles. I couldn’t get used to the banknotes themselves in 2 weeks: 100 thousand, confused with 10 thousand, and 50 thousand with 200 thousand, candy wrappers, what to take from them. Banknotes of 10 thousand or more are plastic. With them you can swim in the sea (in a secret pocket), nothing will happen to them.

Food. Remember the main thing - wash your hands before eating or wipe with wet wipes! Lots of fresh seafood restaurants around. For lovers there is Chinese, Indian, Mexican cuisine, sushi, steakhouse (expensive place), pizzeria and Burger King. But I would recommend Vietnamese cuisine. Fresh shells, squid, shrimp, fish and more, pho soups, salads. The food is neither spicy nor sour.

A huge plus is the frequent breakups with fruit. Here you can not only buy something exotic, but also order smoothies. Right in front of you, any fruit will be whipped and served in a glass with a straw. In my opinion, the best local smoothie is mango.

Buffet BBQ: choose what you cook and eat

Type, sit down at the table, in the center of which is a pot of coals and a grate on which you cook yourself. Ate - go for a new batch of fresh meat. Alcohol - for separate money. Also try out small eateries on 4 lines, they are inexpensive and have local flavor.

Prices. Don't buy anything for the first couple of days. Walk, look at the prices, look for where and what is cheaper. From personal experience, the most inexpensive stores are the Sapphire chain. But they also have a difference for the same products: the ointment in one costs 17 thousand, and in the other - 20. The farther from the first line, the more the cost of lunch in restaurants drops. The price tag is highly dependent on the Chinese New Year, at this time Nha Trang is full of Chinese, prices increase for them.

Despite all the seemingly cheapness, keep an eye on the money. They can melt before your eyes. That is why I do not recommend changing all the dollars at once.

Transport. It is easier to move around the block and around on foot. In the Russian information center, you can take a map of the area for free, ask where everything is. You will be happy to answer.

Buses. They are driven by conductors who do not know foreign languages well, and the price of a ticket depends (as I understand it) on the distance of the trip. It's one thing when you went to the beaches of Zoklet - this is the final stop, another thing when you decide to drive a couple of blocks. It is very difficult to explain to the conductor where you are going. But you can.

Taxi. There are several of them, they differ in the color of the car. Each firm has its own price range. In different cars, landing is from 4 to 14 thousand. The rest of the price depends on the mileage and differs slightly. See the price tag either on the dashboard in the cabin or on the side of the car. Here are the three most inexpensive price tags:

The most inexpensive taxis in Nha Trang

There is a pattern - the larger the car, the more expensive the price of the trip. The most inexpensive are small silver cars. It’s easier to get around by taxi, show the driver a place on the map (even on your phone) and they will take you. If you agree without a counter, you can try to bargain and throw off the declared amount of 5-10 thousand. But based on personal experience, even without trading it will come out cheaper than with a counter.

I didn’t ride rickshaws, I don’t like to exploit a person like a horse.

Fruit export. In hand luggage, you can carry no more than 5 kg per person. To be honest, we did not weigh hand luggage. But rumors speak of the incredible cruelty of Cam Ranh airport employees: “One man was forced to eat 2 extra mangoes!”.

I took separately a “winter” package and a fruit basket, in which there were exactly 5 kg of fruit. Since I took 8 kg of luggage to Vietnam, I managed to stuff 3 kg of passion fruit into my suitcase on the way back. Therefore, once again - do not take a lot of things if you want to take more out of Nha Trang: 5 kg can be in your hands (+/- no one will count half a kilo), plus the remaining weight in your luggage, which can be safely taken under fruit. And the main thing about the fruits from Vietnam - they diverge with a bang, I treated everyone a little bit and the basket is empty.

Places to remember:

Cafe 3g (somewhere here ) - not far from the hotel, good assortment, cheap beer "Saigon" (9 thousand dong a bottle), in the evening the owner can treat you with moonshine.

Zoklet beach. White sand, shallow sea, small wave. One minus is that it’s a long way to go: a little less than an hour and a half by bus (200 thousand for four). But it was a pity for money for a taxi (750 thousand dong for four round trips).

Long Son Pagoda reclining and seated Buddha. An active Buddhist temple. Please note that admission is free.

The Buddha, of course, is a remake, but it still looks cool!

We got to the service (or whatever it's called). Impressive.

Catholic cathedral. Catholic saw for the first time. Done solidly. Believing Christians can check for themselves whether they are well versed in the New Testament: behind the cathedral, in sculptures, the last path of Christ is told, if you go from the right side, it looks like the path to Golgotha.

The path of Christ to Calvary is represented in sculptures

Local tours/excursions. Tours are offered by anyone: the operator who brought you (we had Pegasus), the Russian Information Center, some smaller offices, such as "Pineapple Tour" and a hotel at the reception. Do not take the last one! After grabbing it, we did not dare to go either with Pineapple or with the RIC. However, even beginners can go to Winperl or Zoklet on their own, without tours.

In general, a determined and courageous tourist will definitely find a reason not only to relax, but also to have fun. In Nha Trang there are also evening clubs, various attractions, numerous tours that you can go on yourself.

Have a nice holiday.

A list of features of Vietnam that surprised us, outraged or amused us. We have listed in 42 facts all the biggest oddities of this country. We also give useful advice to those who are going to visit Vietnam.

Vietnam is the first Asian country we visited and in which. Of course, the first acquaintance with Asia did not go smoothly: something impressed and surprised us, but something greatly annoyed us - after all, the difference with other countries we visited was colossal. And although many Vietnamese involved in the tourism and trade sector consider the white mister as, nevertheless, Vietnam left a positive impression - it seems to me that, unlike Thailand, this is a more original country, not yet so strongly Europeanized.

One of the first features of Vietnam that immediately catches your eye is the nests of black wires that entangle the streets. The dense interlacing of wires can rightfully be considered a landmark of Vietnam and Saigon in particular.

On the peculiarities of the behavior of the Vietnamese

The Vietnamese, unlike the Thais, speak very loudly - almost like the Moroccans. Be prepared for the fact that in the early morning you will be awakened by some vociferous Vietnamese under the window or in the hotel.
The south of Vietnam looks much friendlier than the north. In our opinion, people there are simpler, more disinterested, more open and smiling! The Vietnamese in the north (especially in Hanoi) seemed to us gloomy, taciturn and rude - well, exactly how they got to Russia. Many in the north are generally strong.
In tourist places, sometimes they are ready not to sell food/clothes/services at all, than to give in at a real, not inflated price - funny, but true. A Vietnamese spoiled by tourists would rather lie without doing all day in the shade in anticipation of a big jackpot than make a concession and sell too cheap.
The Vietnamese smoke in transport, in hotel rooms, and in cafes.

Photo © randomthawts / flickr.com

Men often grow nails (or one nail) and undermine it. Looks creepy.
Almost everyone in the south wears masks (they remind me of muzzles). I read that the Vietnamese are afraid of contracting the flu, and also believe that the chemicals sprayed by the Americans during the war are still in the air. There are far fewer people wearing masks in the north.
It's terribly annoying, but the Vietnamese don't know what a queue is. It is normal for them to stand in front of someone in line, even if you have been standing there for 15 minutes. Be smarter and faster.
You can nod your head in the affirmative to your questions, but in fact they don’t understand you at all. It is better to try to translate into Vietnamese and write it in a notepad / show it in a translator.
Tourist spots will offer you sunglasses if you're wearing sunglasses, a raincoat if you're wearing one, and water if you're drinking it (etc.).
Not only in temples is it customary to take off your shoes, this can often be observed in hotels, shops and even toilets. Although foreigners are sometimes allowed not to take off if there are no rubber slippers for changing shoes (with the exception of temples).

toilet facts

Almost everywhere (except airports and elite shopping centers) locks in booths do not work. Toilet paper is also almost nowhere to be found (or it hangs at the entrance - you need to tear it off and take it with you). Soap is also far from everywhere, so take wet wipes. Sometimes the toilet cleaner may demand from you the amount for visiting the toilet, sometimes (here's a paradox!) They let you into dry closets for free.
For some reason, Vietnamese men often do not reach the toilets. Roughly speaking, relieve the need anywhere. Even if the Vietnamese is next to the toilet door, he will still do his business on the street (there were witnesses to this). Huge open space? It's okay, the Vietnamese will stand in the very center by the flower bed, no one will see. The same applies to children - they are not at all embarrassed to do their business right on the sidewalks. At first it was shocking and seemed wild, then we got used to it.

Photo © Paro Nguyen / flickr.com

Facts about food in Vietnam

Feel! Read our articles about all things food in Vietnam (will open in new tabs):

(complete list of main dishes, names in Vietnamese, description, photos)
(about features in different regions and cities of the country)
(something you should definitely try)
(names, photos, description, taste and selection rules when buying)
(Best coffee ever!)

Well, now I will list the features of Vietnam related to food:

Always, even in cafes with fixed prices and food courts, check the prices so as not to be deceived or misunderstood.
Prices for Europeans may be different (we encountered this in Hanoi): one price is written on the banner, and another one is called to you.
They may ask you for a large amount for the fact that the bread on the table turns out to be paid, but no one will warn you about this in advance.
Street food in the north of Vietnam is more expensive than in the south. Pho bo soup in Ho Chi Minh City we ate for 20-25 thousand, in Hanoi it costs from 35 thousand dong.
Chopsticks in Vietnamese street cafes are often heavily gnawed and dirty at the same time - always wipe them with wet wipes or, like us, buy your own chopsticks and carry them with you.
In dining rooms, tables and chairs can be dirty and greasy - if possible, check them so as not to put a stain on your favorite trousers or jacket.
If you have ever been to Vietnam, you probably paid attention to the repetitive monotonous recordings coming from the tape recorder on mopeds and resembling some kind of propaganda or a call to vote in elections. As it turned out, this is just a sale of corn (or something edible): the Vietnamese deliver food to those who cannot leave their workplace to have a bite to eat.
The Vietnamese eat dogs (in the north), rats, frogs and various insects. You can try a snake, a crocodile and other exotic animals, but you need to know specific restaurants. But the finished dog can easily be found on the market.
We have not fully understood how street establishments work. It is clear that someone is open only in the morning, someone works only in the evening, and someone in the afternoon. But in small towns (Ha Long, Hoi An, Hue) there are “dead” hours (in the afternoon - from about 2 to 4 o'clock, in the morning - from 11 to 12), when everything seems to have died out.
For some reason, grocery stores and eateries close around 8 pm, but perfume, jewelry, bookstores, various boutiques, opticians, etc. can work until 10 pm. In small towns around midnight it is no longer possible to buy groceries or have a bite to eat somewhere, but to buy a guitar or a portrait of Ho Chi Minh is easy.

Photo © huangb / flickr.com

Sanitary issue: cleanliness and hygiene

The cleaning of hotels, even quite presentable ones, is poor. Divorces, hair and small debris on the floor are standard cleaning. Wear slippers for the shower in the room, they are usually always there.
Almost every hotel (according to our observations) has ants. It's not too big of a problem, it's just that we're wondering why no one is fighting it.
Rats on the streets, by the way, also for some reason no one poisons.
Dirty water in Vietnam is usually drained into the street, so sometimes the smell is not pleasant.
About puddles: when it rains, an extremely unpleasant feature of Vietnamese sidewalks comes to light. The fact is that the tiles that pave the sidewalks are often not new and loose. Be careful: stepping on such a trap tile during the rain, you risk being doused with dirty water. Try to choose tiles that do not protrude more or less (this is especially true for Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi). In dry weather, large concrete slabs are also fraught with danger: they stagger, and a sewer drain is hidden under them. More than once we saw collapsed, uncovered slabs (Halong).
The Vietnamese leave rubbish anywhere - coconuts and the remains of fruit, candy wrappers and so on - all this remains on the ground. In a cafe, if there are no trash cans, napkins are thrown directly on the floor. Some people manage to litter even in temples. Well, if seeds are used, then the entire floor will be strewn with them. Usually at night, all the garbage from the streets is collected by garbage trucks.
Ice for drinks is crushed on the pavement, so it is better for those who are squeamish and afraid for their stomach to ask for drinks without ice. And again, the paradox: drinks without ice sometimes cost almost twice as much!
Right on the sidewalk, noodles, cabbage leaves and anything else edible can be dried. In general, doing something with food right on the sidewalk is one of the main features characteristic of the people of Vietnam.

This is how cabbage leaves are dried in Halong

Facts about transport, the art of transportation and movement

The peculiarity of Vietnam is transport. The streets of Vietnamese cities are not made for pedestrians, there are either no sidewalks at all, or they are full of motorbikes. I will list some observations and facts that seemed interesting to us and which may be useful to you:

In Ho Chi Minh City, we were faced with the fact that some city buses run along some completely incomprehensible route. Moreover, the information at the stop stand is the same, while local residents report something completely different.
If you decide to use the city bus, be careful: you need to get in and out of the elephant as quickly as possible. As you enter, jump up and hold on to the railings. When exiting, jump out, because the conductor will literally push you out of the bus at the bus stop. And he doesn't care that you have big backpacks. The driver does not wait for anyone, even the conductor - he usually jumps into the bus at the last moment. By the way, the bus stop time is 2-3 seconds, the driver will not wait longer (an exception is made only for the elderly). The same is true if you caught an intercity bus on the highway or in the city (a bus from Da Nang to Hoi An, for example).
You can buy a ticket to the city, but you will be thrown out into the wilderness, 10 km from it, as the bus, it turns out, is passing and does not call into the city at all.
This is unthinkable, but a fact: in Vietnam, a bus for locals can travel 150 km in 5 (!!!) hours (this is how we traveled from Hanoi to Ha Long). The fact is that along the way the driver picks up everyone: the conductor jumps out of the bus and beckons passengers, and the transfer of various parcels is also common - from live chickens to large boxes.
Intercity buses in Vietnam are rubber: even if you can’t breathe in the cabin, the conductor will recruit passengers at each post.

Photo © stereotyp-0815 / flickr.com

On a moped can fit up to 5 people and some other cargo.
The moped can also be used as a small truck. What they transport: bags of food, building materials, bamboo and reeds, chickens in cages, pigs, and in general everything that comes into your head. Once we saw how the Vietnamese transported a whole living tree on a bike.
Sidewalks in Vietnam are not for pedestrians, but for mopeds. They are mainly used as parking, but during peak hours it is not shameful to go around it and go around the traffic jam.
Each parking lot has its own security guard, who also manages the parking process.
Cycle rickshaws and taxi drivers on motorbikes like to take a nap on their tarasport if there are no customers.
Despite the fact that the Vietnamese often do not follow the rules of the road, they have very few accidents. But be careful, in cities it is sometimes dangerous to look around - just look, someone will run over.
Driving in Vietnam is not for the faint of heart - you can write a separate article about this. Be extremely careful on the roads - the Vietnamese love to overtake, cut, drive in the oncoming lane and emerge from lanes, creating emergency situations.
How to cross the street in Vietnam? Just walk slowly and confidently, motorbikes will smoothly go around you. You can raise your hand and go - so you kind of ask them to slow down and let you through. The first time is very scary, it seems like a flock of angry bikes is rushing at you, but you gradually join the rhythm and calmly cross the road.

Photo © staffan.scherz / flickr.com

Intro image source: staffan.scherz/flickr.com.

vietnam tips- a new section where we will summarize all cases of deceit, fraud, tricks against our tourists. This article was shared by our friends who live in Nha Trang. I thank them for their help in preparing this column about Nha Trang. I recommend their VKontakte group https://vk.com/nhatrang_vietnam. So, vietnam tips about how not to be a sucker, what to pay attention to, why you need to know Vietnam travel tips.

Tours to Vietnam

To travel cheaper, use Travelat promotional codes with a face value of 300, 500 and 1500 rubles.

- - – 300 rub. for any tour, costing from 20,000 rubles.
  - – 500 rub. for any tour, costing from 40,000 rubles.
  - - 600 rub. for all vouchers from 50,000 rubles. in the mobile app and .
  - - promotion until 02.09. Win-win drawing of a ticket to Ayia Napa (Cyprus) for 1 ruble. Each participant receives a promo code for 1000 rub.
  - - 2000 rub. for tours to Turkey from 100,000 rubles.

When exchanging money, when change is given out, instead of 500,000 dongs, they often slip a bill of 50,000 dongs, and instead of 100,000 dongs they slip 10,000 dongs. It is very easy to deceive those who are not used to the local currency yet, because these banknotes have the same color shades.

Never give money in advance for any services in Vietnam: taxi, cycle rickshaw, massage, shopping in the market. Only in exceptional cases, when already agreed or when a verified place. There is no need to negotiate with the taxi driver: he has a meter. But on cycle rickshaws very often they say one amount, but in fact they charge another. Buy a notepad where you will write and show the amount to cycle rickshaws or in the markets, then they will have fewer arguments to deceive you.

In the market, Vietnamese often become attached to tourists, who speak Russian well. They promise to help you find anything on the market, to help you bargain. In fact, they will sell everything to you there 2-3 times more expensive. And then the percentage will be collected from all the points where you bought something. As soon as such a Vietnamese approached you in the market with a similar request, ask politely to leave, do not hesitate to say “no”.

Many in the markets in Vietnam are looking for some kind of profit. But drugs are cheaper to buy in a pharmacy, alcohol is in a store, there are no good things on the market at all. Only if there are some souvenirs, and even then they are Chinese. Be prepared that the prices on the market will be inflated by 10 times and 5 times. Without knowing the prices, you will not be able to buy something profitable there. Sellers are not born with a bast.

Many have heard that there is cheap seafood behind the bridge in Nha Trang. But not every restaurant with cheap seafood has a more expensive center. When you say “seafood” to a taxi driver, then be prepared for the fact that he will take you where it is more expensive, having his own percentage there. The same goes for mud springs. If Thap Ba is cheaper than I-Resort, then he will be lucky where it is more expensive. Therefore, we take a notebook and write a name for it: Thap Ba.

Prices and money

Buses

You can ride regular buses around the city and to some attractions, the fare costs 7,000 dons. And also in Nha Trang you can visit a lot on your own, for example , mud springs, a museum of impressions, the roof of the Havana hotel with a panoramic view.

Vietnam, experienced advice. 10 easy ways to feel like a sucker in Vietnam

1. Dress in clothes from a previous vacation, such as Indian pants, or I love Turkey T-shirts. Locals immediately see you as tourists and add 30-50% to prices.
2. Wear a Vietnamese hat and I love Vietnam T-shirt. The same
3. Leave money and phone on the beach and go swimming. Watch things from the water.
4. Put your iPhone or wallet on the table in a cafe.
5. Walk with a bag over your shoulder. (Tear off).
6. Walk with a bag over your shoulder, but hold on to it with both hands and be careful.
7. Stick to the phone on the road.

According to official figures, there are 54 nationalities in Vietnam. However, there are many more ethnic groups.

The ethnic composition of the country's inhabitants in figures looks like this: 85.7% live in Vietnam, 1.9% in Tai, 1.5% in Muongs and Khmers, 2.13% in Miao-Yao, and 1.1% in Nungs.

The remaining nationalities are represented in smaller numbers: these are the Chinese, Banars, Sedangs, Hoa, Sre, Khre, Mnongi, Sanziu, Santai, Raglai, etc.

The official nationalities are grouped into 8 groups based on language: Vietnamese, Mon-Khmer, Chinese, Tibeto-Burmese, Thai, Miao-Miao, Cham and peoples who speak Kadai languages.

The mountain peoples of Vietnam are united in a group of highlanders or thuongs.

Religious preferences of the Vietnamese

Among the inhabitants of the country there are Buddhists (only 9.3%), Catholics (6.7%), Khao-Hao (about 1.5%), Protestants (0.5%), and Cao Dai (1.1%).

The rest of the population is either atheist or adheres to folk beliefs. They are based on the ritual "tho kung to tien". This is the cult of ancestors. This dogma is not formalized, it does not have a hierarchy of clergy. Since adherents of the cult of ancestors conduct their rituals in Buddhist temples, many mistakenly consider about 80% of the country's population to be Buddhists.

Economy of Vietnam

In the late 1980s, the economic crisis also affected Vietnam. Since 1986, the country has launched reforms aimed at developing market relations. At the same time, the landmarks of socialism were not removed. Moreover, the state controls private enterprise. Article 15 of the Constitution of Vietnam fixes at the state level the recognition in the country of public, collective and private property.

The reforms made Vietnam a leader among ASEAN members in 1995-1997. 30% of all capital investments in the state were investments of foreign companies. GDP increased by 8.9% annually.

In 1998-1999, the Asian financial crisis leads to a decrease in imports to the country and an increase in exports. Of course, foreign investment has also decreased.

Vietnam is characterized by very high property prices with low incomes. The purchasing power of the Vietnamese is low. Basically, the Vietnamese live poorly, poor and in a dirty country. At the same time, they manage to maintain an average level of security in the country, which pleases visitors. The healthcare industry, in comparison with other Asian countries, is well developed.

As of 2015, GDP per capita has already amounted to USD 6,400.00. At the same time, the GDP growth rate is 6.10%. On average, the Vietnamese receive about 7.5 million VND per month. The salary of the President in the country does not exceed the average salary of the Vietnamese.

The state uses the wealth of nature to develop its economy: manganese, coal, timber, oil, gas, phosphates, bauxites, chromites, hydropower. The industrial sector employs 15% of the country's population. Everyone has heard about Vietnamese cell phones, office equipment and components for computers, household appliances.

And the Vietnamese also sew clothes, shoes, are engaged in agriculture and shipbuilding. Agriculture employs about 52% of Vietnam's population, which is 21% of GDP. In the fields of the country we will see pepper, soybeans, cashews, bananas, peanuts, sugar cane. Superiority in the country is held by rice, rubber, coffee, tea, cotton. Income from tea production exceeds $150 million. The development of fishing and seafood processing is gaining momentum.

Since tourism in Vietnam also tends to develop, the service sector requires its own reforms and effective steps. About 33% of the population of the state is employed in this area.

Until recently, many people associated Vietnam with total poverty and did not arouse much interest among tourists. But today everything has changed - the country is considered one of the most popular resorts in the world. And all because there are warm tropics, an unforgettable Asian flavor and an affordable price policy for tour packages. What will a vacation in Vietnam be remembered for, when and where it is better to go, how to get there, what entertainment the country can offer to a demanding tourist - we will talk about all this later in the article.

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

During its existence, Vietnam, whose history begins from the first millennium BC, has experienced many attempts on its territorial integrity and charter. He had to go through the times of the French colony, the Japanese occupation and a large number of wars. And the blind inheritance of the Soviet form of economic management led the country to a serious crisis in the economy. It took years to restore relations with the developed countries on the world map, as well as to partially liberalize the economic system and rise from the ashes.

The name "Vietnam" comes from the ancient people of the Viet, who lived on the territory of the modern republic, and from the word "us", which means "southern" in their language.

The territory of the modern state is spread over several climatic zones. That is why it is very important to find out before the trip where and at what time of the year it is better to relax in Vietnam.

Where is on the map

The republic is located on the Indochina Peninsula, which is located in Southeast Asia. On the western side, its neighbors are Cambodia and Laos, from the north the country borders on the People's Republic of China, and from the south and east it is washed by the South China Sea.

The area of the state, the heart of which is the city of Hanoi, reaches about 332 thousand km2. More than 93 million people live in cities and villages in Vietnam. They use the official Vietnamese language and the national currency, which is the Vietnamese dong.

How to get from Moscow

The direct distance between Moscow and Vietnam is 6735 km. And tourists prefer to overcome it exclusively by planes. In this case, the flight lasts about 9-10 hours.

Today, Vietnam is the leading exporter of black pepper and cashew nuts. The republic also occupies the second position in the export of coffee outside the country. It is characteristic that coffee plants are not indigenous to these areas and were introduced into the crop production of the state by the French colonists.

The easiest way to get from the capital of Russia to Vietnam is through the main air gate republics. They are airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Due to the great competition between airlines, tourists in this direction are provided with a large selection of flights at relatively low prices.

If you prefer resorts in the south of Vietnam, it is best to fly straight to Nha Trang, Da Nang or Phu Quoc Island. But in this case, be prepared that the cost of the ticket will be much more expensive. To save money, many travelers choose flights to the Vietnamese capital, and then get to their destination by bus.

To purchase the cheapest tickets, it is better to use search engines, which provide comparable prices for different airlines and many booking systems (Skyscanner and Aviasales). Practitioners say that in 90% of cases it is possible to save from 300 to 1000 rubles. But remember that on the eve of the holidays, as well as on weekends, the cost of the flight is much higher than on weekdays.

Consider yourself lucky if you manage to find tickets for the Moscow-Ho Chi Minh flight at a price of 27 thousand rubles. This is rare, but it is still possible to catch luck by the tail.

More than 40% of Vietnamese have the popular surname Nguyễn in the country, another 11% - Trần. So you already know half of the population of the republic.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and other destinations

Vietnam through the spectrum of tourism seems to be very diverse. It only at first glance seems that, apart from rice fields and noodles traditional for the national cuisine, there is nothing interesting there. In fact, there is a place and activity in the state for athletes, seafood lovers, connoisseurs of historical sites, those who prefer exciting adventures and quiet family vacations, couples with children and fans of the fascinating water world. But let's talk about all this in order.

For many travelers, Vietnam begins with the capital. Tourists are amazed by the beauty of the local lakes that surround the city, the historical monuments of the metropolis and the buildings that have survived from the time of the imperial era.

Near the heart of Vietnam, there are many places that every traveler simply must visit. We are talking about one of the famous wonders of the world - dragon bay. It is located just 160 km from Hanoi and impresses with its purity, pretty islands that protrude thickly from the emerald water.

Also worth seeing is Halong Bay. This is an intensively developing resort with hotels, entertainment centers and various boutiques. Great place for shopping, entertainment and beach holidays.

The Vietnamese language is characterized by six different keys. Their use radically changes the semantic meaning of words. Therefore, do not even try to master it yourself.

Among travelers who know everything about Vietnam, this large resort city of Ho Chi Minh City is called the center of entertainment and the water world. Its attractions are Botanical Garden, amusement park, "Dai Nam" rides, zoo, cinema, "Dam Sen" water park. This is one of the best options for families with children.

Fans of active vacations and athletes are best to choose the city of Mui Ne on the map of Vietnam. By the way, here you don’t have to rack your brains trying to understand the language of the native Vietnamese. The fact is that the resort has a lot of Russian-language signs and appropriate attendants. And in some restaurants you can even offer borscht and donuts traditional for our cuisine.

In Vietnam, it is not customary to completely drink any drink from a cup. At its bottom must be up to 10% of the drink.

Kiters and surfers should visit the local bay. Here, for beginners, there are special schools for fast learning, especially since the prices for the services offered are relatively low. No less interesting in this exotic paradise will be a family with children. For them stretch along the entire coast beautiful hotels, wide sandy beaches and planting luxurious palms and pines.

For those who prefer to enjoy the masterpieces of seafood cuisine on vacation, Nha Trang is recommended. The city is located in the most beautiful bay, therefore it constantly attracts tourists with its beautiful landscapes and mild climate. This resort will be remembered for exotic colorful dishes, warm sea, amazing souvenirs, parks, attractions, diving, nightlife and visiting the temple complex. The place is suitable for children and adults. Your child will be delighted with the Vinpearl Land water adventure park on the island of Hon Tre, the Chi-Nguyen aquarium (Neptune's Palace), and the aquarium for a long time to come.

Going on such a long journey, do not forget to stock up on time with the necessary set of medicines and repellents. In Vietnam, tourists often suffer from insect bites, poisonous plant fumes, jellyfish burns and the scorching sun, as well as food poisoning, allergies and dirty local water.

Fans of a relaxing holiday should go to Phu Quoc Island. There you will not find noisy streets of megacities, bright entertainment centers, endless shops, restaurants and cafes. Only the sea, palm trees, sun-drenched beaches, fabulous sunrises and sunsets. And also pearl farms and huge plantations of black pepper. Tour operators often recommend such a vacation to families with children and elderly travelers, as well as people who are tired of the daily bustle of the city. But this pleasure is much more expensive than the above resorts.

Similar impressions await you from a visit to Vung Tau. In this place, you can also be alone with nature and improve your health. The resort is worth visiting the statue of Jesus Christ. And if you climb up its spiral staircase, you can appreciate the panorama of the entire Vietnamese town.

For those who dream of a developing journey and are eager to immerse themselves in the centuries-old history of Asian peoples, the resort town of Hoi An is very suitable. There you will be impressed by the Marble Mountains, the Haivan Pass, museums of architecture and sculptures, the Cham complex Michon. Ancient traditions can be studied even just by walking along the local streets. They often meet antique shops and ancient temples.

Da Nang Resort is the perfect place to get acquainted with local traditions. But its only "minuses" are the high pricing policy in relation to tourists and some remoteness of the resort area from the center. These inconveniences are connected with the industrial and economic direction of the city.

In crowded places in Vietnamese resort cities, and especially in the capital, tourists should be on the alert. Very often, local entrepreneurs, spoiled by the constant flow of wealthy travelers, deceive and shortchange their customers. Also very often there are cases when the price of a product is significantly overstated. Therefore, before buying anything in Vietnam, study the market and never leave your belongings unattended.

Weather in Vietnam: when is the best time to travel?

If you choose where it is better to go on vacation in Vietnam, do not be too lazy to find out in which equatorial zone the resort you like is located. This is due to the large length of the republic from north to south. In addition, the monsoons have a significant influence on the climatic conditions of the area.

In water

All year round, tourists have the opportunity to enjoy the clear waters of the warm South China Sea, located in the tropical climate zone. Its emerald waves are striking in their transparency - the seabed is perfectly visible even through a 10-meter water column. Plus, she's always warm. The sea temperature never drops below 23 °C. And in August it warms up to the 30-degree mark.

On the land

In the northern regions of the state, sunny weather does not last long. In the summer season, the air warms up to 28–30 °C. And in winter, in the flat areas, the temperature drops to a stable 20 ° C. But in mountainous areas, the thermometer can fix only 5 ° C. These resorts are suitable for recreation only in summer, since it rains here from the beginning of September until the very end of May. Continuous showers will accompany you throughout February and March.

In Vietnam, there are no shuttle buses and cars that are familiar to us. The local population travels on motorcycles. In this country, every family has at least 2 bikes. And every day more than 10 million of such vehicles appear on the roads of the republic. In addition, it is not customary to let pedestrians pass at the crossings. Therefore, crossing busy highways constantly turns into an exciting and risky adventure.

It is best to go to the central zones of Vietnam in the spring and summer, because the rest of the year there are heavy rains. The climate of these areas is characterized by heat and high humidity. Average temperatures fluctuate between 35–40 °С in summer and 15–20 °С in winter.

The southern resorts of Vietnam are distinguished by year-round heat. The temperature here almost never drops below 25 °C. It also rains here, but they often fall only at night and do not last as long as in the north of the country. In addition, in the south, the air is never dry due to the constant evaporation of moisture.

Often, tour operators from Vietnamese resorts recommend to tourists:

in the period from April to August - Hoi an;
in the period from January to March, as well as in December and November - the island of Phu Quoc;
in the period from February to September - Nha Trang;
throughout the winter - Phan Thiet.

Vietnamese natives firmly believe in the mysterious power of snake wine, which is the country's national drink. It is prepared by preserving venomous reptiles in rice wine and grain alcohol. Moreover, local healers believe that the more dangerous the snake, the more useful the drink will be from it.

Popular beaches of the country

Today, almost the entire southern coast of the republic is popular with tourists. But only elite beaches deserve special love from travelers:

Condao. It is located on the island of the same name and is characterized by white sand, crystal clear sea, dense thickets of coke palms, mangrove forests. It is here that you can easily find a unique plant or meet an exotic animal face to face.
Mui Ne Beach. It is a wide beach strip that stretches between the cities of Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Local residents are accustomed to the constant influx of Russian tourists, so they adjust menus, signs and movie screenings in cinemas to suit them.
Lang Co. The beach is located in the resort of Hue, where travelers are pleased with a variety of entertainment centers and restaurants with national cuisine.
Ha Long. When the fantastic landscapes of this beach are opened for the first time, the pictures filled with modern special effects and computer graphics are fleetingly recalled. From a charming fairy tale, tourists are returned to reality by dirty sea water and a rather unpleasant nearby town.
Phu Quoc. It is located 15 km from Cambodia and is the subject of quarrels between these 2 states. All coasts of the island are covered with sandy beaches with slightly pinkish fine sand and turquoise clear water. It is here that you can take a beautiful selfie on a palm tree that has approached the very sea. Providing shade, these trees are very appropriate in hot tropical climates. True, there are no good roads on the island. But there is an airport.
Nha Trang. This is a pearl among all the beaches of Vietnam. It is characterized by a snow-white sand cover, stretching along the coast for 7 km. Since the area is located in a bay, which is almost completely hidden from the open sea by islands, the water here is never colder than + 24 ° C. Also here you can easily get acquainted with octopuses, shrimps, squids and other marine inhabitants that are found right off the coast.
Danang. The beach occupies about 20 km of the resort town, but is distinguished by a small selection of hotels on the coast. Therefore, housing during a holiday in these areas must be taken care of in advance.
Non Nuoc. Known for the sacred Marble Caves.
Vung Tau. Beaches in this resort can be found for every taste. For example, hermits are suitable for wild and few Famous places, and demanding spoiled travelers will be offered all the amenities on large modern beaches, which in many respects are similar to European ones. Mulberry (difficult to access), Front and Back beaches are popular.

There is a man in the country who has not slept for over 40 years. This is 75-year-old Thai Ngoc. In the prime of life, he experienced a severe fever and then lost his desire to sleep. As a result of the test that fell to him, the Vietnamese is experiencing discomfort. He confessed to one of the local newspapers that he "feels like a plant without water."

Attractions and excursions

Discovering something new in Vietnam is endless. Moreover, the country is in an endless revival after the wars experienced. The local population is especially anxious about ancient historical monuments. Although, let's not hide, we can see some of them today only thanks to the intervention of UNESCO, which insisted on the reconstruction of the destroyed buildings. So, if you follow the map of attractions of famous resorts in Vietnam from north to south, you can find many places where you really should go.

In the capital of the republic, you can visit the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the Hanoi citadel, Cathedral St. Joseph, Museum of Military History and Thanglong Water Puppet Theatre. Also here is the largest zoo in the country "Thu Le". Its peculiarity is not only in acquaintance with exotic wild animals, but also in the opportunity to ride a boat, take a walk with children and get a dose of adrenaline from local attractions. Also near Hanoi is the Bai Thu Long archipelago, famous for its 3,000 miniature islands.

The city of Hue is home to many aerial pagodas and ancient palaces from the time of the Nguyen Dynasty. Particularly noteworthy are the ruins of the citadel of Kinh Thanh. It is here that you can see with your own eyes the complex of the Nine Holy Weapons, the forbidden purple city of Dai Non and the royal theater. You can also look at the imperial tombs, each of which is a small town.

Despite the 20 ° C outside, the Vietnamese consider this weather to be cold and, as a rule, wrap themselves in warm jackets and hats. And they also decided to wear two-toed socks, which allow you to wear the famous flip flops even in winter.

In the museum city of Hoi An, which is located just south of the resort of Hue, you will be interested in everything. It is through this locality ran at that time the Great Silk Road. You will be amazed by the beauty of the temples, which in this city are like mushrooms after the rain. Among them are the legendary buildings of Fioklam, Kaodai, Kuan Kong.

In Nha Trang, it is worth taking a look at the Cham towers, of which only 4 have survived to this day. Also of interest is the Buddha statue, the Long Son pagoda and the marine fauna museum, which contains up to 8 thousand exhibits. Children should be shown the Chingyuen Aquarium, which is a lake divided into 3 parts, each of which is inhabited by decorative, edible and predatory fish.

Great for extreme lovers mountain resort Dalat, which is located 60 km from the port of Cam Ranh. For great experiences, you should look into the "madhouse" of the Hang Nga Hotel, as well as visit the Thung Lung Tinh Yeow Valley, Madame Dang Gallery and the Vion Hoa Da Lat Flower Gardens.

In Dalat, which is famous as "Vietnamese Paris", there is even a copy of the Eiffel Tower.

The cheapest diving and other outdoor activities

For obsessed divers, this corner of the planet is considered sacred. And all because it was in Nha Trang Bay that corals began to form for the first time on the planet. Today there are about 400 species of them, which is a record number. Few people know that there is a real coral reserve near Moon Island.

The most interesting places for diving are:

the area around Madonna Rock and its underwater tunnels;
coral garden reef, where hard corals grow;
the area near Mushroom Reef, where flying fish and reef sharks are quite common, as well as colorful clown fish, moray eels, squid, giant turtles, seahorses and barracudas.

You don't have to go too deep here. Sea beauty can be seen already 5 m from the surface of the sea.

For beginners, diving clubs will offer paid training, after which a special certificate is issued. Experienced tourists who are fond of the underwater world advise, when choosing centers, to give preference exclusively to foreign establishments, and not to Vietnamese ones.

For some reason, all Vietnamese bathe in clothes. They do not swim, but go into the water to a sufficient depth and splash in warm waves. Inexplicably, they also snorkel dressed.

Among other types active rest in this exotic country you may be offered to dive without scuba gear. This type of entertainment is called freediving. Depending on the level, its cost is in the range of $150–250. The most suitable area for such dives is Whale Island, located 80 km from Nha Trang. It is famous for its turtle farm, so it will be of interest to both beginners and experienced divers.

During the day, everyday Vietnam resembles a large anthill, in which every resident is immersed in his worries. And at night he does not stop, but on the contrary, with renewed vigor, he is reborn into something new and mysterious. Night Vietnamese cities are famous for grandiose parties and sexual adventures. Seeing off the sun at sunset, people begin to celebrate. And it doesn't need a reason to do so. Such a tradition arose here during the Vietnam-American War, when, after hard days, the soldiers of the army of the United States of America took their souls away with noisy parties. Young Vietnamese were also often invited to them. The idea was so liked by the indigenous people that it was firmly rooted in their lives.

Don't lose your head from Vietnam at night. Be vigilant even under a degree of strong drinks. Do not make dubious acquaintances and do not invite strangers to the hotel room. After all, often, when the morning comes and the veil of the euphoria of the holiday leaves the eyes, travelers do not find a mysterious “night moth”, no money, no documents near them.

If you want to taste all the delights of the Vietnamese night emancipation, then feel free to go to the capital of the Republic of Hanoi and the northern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh, called Saigon in local circles. It is in these two centers that the nightlife of the country is concentrated. Even despite the bans of local authorities, bars, restaurants, gay clubs and other similar establishments, imitating their closure at midnight, continue to let customers in from the back door until the morning. Of course, not all nightclubs do this, which should be taken into account when making plans for the night. Be prepared that you can not only be invited to a dance, but also be offered delicate services.

The famous Saigon club "Apocalypse Now" is considered a leader in the Vietnamese sex industry. It has existed for several decades and does not lose the status of the main sex attractions of the republic. There are so many pretty priestesses of love in this institution that it will be oh so difficult to choose. You can recognize the institution even from afar by bright signs and barkers that hang around the doors with a simple slogan "lady, boom." Along with brothels, street prostitution is also flourishing in the country. Often on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi you can meet pimps riding motorcycles with a frightening menacing look.

Guests of the capital and resort Nha Trang will also be provided with erotic massage. In such salons, local bars are full of people any day and at any time of the year. Most of them are foreign tourists. But the Vietnamese themselves also do not refuse fun.

Other Vietnamese cities, especially resorts, also live their own nightlife but it usually only lasts until midnight.

In search of hot entertainment in Vietnam, do not forget about contraception. At first glance, this seems like a silly reminder for schoolchildren. But practice shows that in the heat of passion and drunk alcohol, tourists forget about elementary condoms, as a result of which they return from vacation with a bunch of venereal diseases.

There are many places where you can relax from the heart in Vietnam at night. For example, several metropolitan clubs:

"Funky Monkey" (address: 31 Hang Thung) - known for a variety of cocktails, pool games, exotic dances and musical preferences in the style of house, trance or techno;
"R & R Tavern" (address: 10 Tho Nhuom St) - famous for excellent beer, rock music and unforgettable landscapes that open directly from the terrace;
"Solace" (address: Chuong Duong Do) - is a youth institution that prefers non-stop music, fiery dances and lighting effects;
"The Spotted Cow" (address: 23C Hai Ba Trung) - lovers of football, billiards, darts and beauties pave the way here.

Accommodation Features

Vietnam is a unique country not only in terms of tropical exotic fauna and flora. Also here - not quite usual conditions for us to move through the streets, to live and a very specific cuisine. Let's consider everything in order.

During a night of fun in Saigon, watch your wallet, purse or bag. After all, bikers rush around the metropolis, who do not miss the opportunity of easy material extraction. It is best to leave all valuables in the hotel safe.

Transport

In this country, there are all types of modern transport - from a scooter to an airplane and international taxis. But the locals seem to have taken a liking to motorcycles for a long time. They move in a chaotic manner through the streets of large cities and small villages.

In any case, there will never be any problems with transport in Vietnam. Of course, inconvenience on the road and frequent transfers are quite likely, but you can get to the right place.

The republic's air transport is mostly represented by the major carrier Vietnam Airlines and small companies Vietnam Airlines, VASCO, AirMekong, and VietJet. They fly exclusively to major metropolitan areas and resorts in the country. In some popular places among tourists, you can find special taxis that will take you to the airport.

The railway sector of Vietnam is characterized by weak development. It is difficult to even call it a network, since trains run from north to south, with stops in Saigon, Hanoi, Sapa, Haiphong and Halong. Transport of this type is of two categories:

SE - make stops only in megacities and therefore are considered high-speed and very comfortable;
TN - regular trains.

The fastest train in Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi takes 29 hours.

For convenient and high-speed movement around the state, travelers choose buses. The category that is intended for international transportation is equipped with sleeping places, and you need to enter such transport barefoot with shoes wrapped in a bag. There is also an Open Bus transport system.

If you decide to see the local islands, then you can’t do without a public boat. For example, along the Mekong Delta, it is convenient to quickly get from Ho Chi Minh to Kanto by water transport, which departs from Saigon's Ton Duc Thang Avenue pier at 8:00 and arrives at its destination in 5 hours. The cost of such a trip is $1.

For tourists in Vietnam, there is also a taxi. But experienced travelers do not use it very willingly, since almost always all attempts to use this service end in disputes. Taxi drivers want to charge as much as possible from foreigners, and for this they twist meters and invent many ways to get their own.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam ranks second in rice consumption. Each average citizen of the country eats about 169 kg of this product per year.

But do not expect to see taxi cars familiar to us on the streets of this state. Mostly motorcycle taxi services are offered. This method of transportation is considered the cheapest and riskiest. An hour trip will cost $2, and a 12-hour trip will cost $10. If you have to travel outside the city, the cost of the trip will increase to $15.

Nutrition

Vietnamese cuisine has absorbed the traditions of Indian, Chinese, French, American and at the same time has not lost its uniqueness, retaining a zest of originality. But at the same time, it is not suitable for all tourists. After all, not everyone can eat dog, snake, turtle or rat meat, and seafood often causes an allergic reaction in European tourists.

Very rarely, the Vietnamese eat beef, and you will almost never find duck and goat dishes here. But frequent guests on the table are chicken and shrimp.

A characteristic feature of the cuisine of this people is a rich variety of sauces, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. Local chefs will always decorate any dish with coriander, basil, mint leaves and serve some kind of dipping sauce to it.

Most of the dishes are based on rice, which is simply adored here. Its green sprouts even decorate tables in cafes and restaurants instead of flowers. And don't expect to find a lot of different dishes on the menu for every taste. It won't be there. You will be offered only traditional rice and noodles with different sauces.

Before tasting the masterpieces of Vietnamese chefs, make sure that there are no products in the composition of the dish that can trigger your allergies.

Housing

In Vietnam, you can independently rent housing for every taste. True, you need to deal with this issue in advance (a few months before departure). Depending on your financial capacity, you may consider:

Gests and guest houses, which are a small room with a minimal set of furniture, a bathroom and Wi-Fi. This option is intended for undemanding travelers. If the accommodation is rented by the day, the payment includes the cost of electricity. If you plan to live there for a month or more, then you will have to pay for the light by the meter. As a rule, this amount ranges from $10 to $70.
Rooms in small hotels. Here you will get the same conditions as in the guesthouses, only with the best service and maintenance.
Homestays. These are family-type houses with or without owners. They are offered in the north of the country. As a rule, cleaning and change of linen are included in the price.
Apartments and studios. This option is for wealthy tourists who plan to stay in Vietnam for at least a month. The range includes large houses with several bedrooms, balconies, large windows and modern appliances. You can also be offered reception services, which will solve all your domestic issues, and security.
Houses. They provide a large yard and parking space, so they are preferred for family travelers with children and a car.
Villas. This is a premium property. It is located in a closed area, which is guarded.

Against the backdrop of this luxury that is offered to tourists, the Vietnamese themselves live in very narrow, like school pencil cases, houses without windows and with a minimum of furniture.

Shopping in Vietnam

For zealous shopping fans, Vietnam is a real paradise. After all, the country is gradually beginning to win the status of the second after China "things workshop of the world." Here you can buy absolutely everything: from watches, clothes, shoes to furniture and pearls. Moreover, Western tourists are satisfied with both the price and the quality of goods.

If you are in Vietnam, be sure to pay attention to local silks, jewelry, precious stones, tea, coffee, ceramics, wooden souvenirs and poisonous snake balms.

Feel free to bargain - in local shops this is exactly what they expect from you. Therefore, the prices of goods are very inflated. The country appreciates bargaining, which is built on mutual respect for the interests of the buyer and seller.

For example, in Ho Chi Minh City, for a successful bargain, you should go to the Ben Thanh market or to the Diamond shopping and entertainment complex. Also, the Tax Trade Center department store is perfect for these purposes.

Fortunately for shopaholics, there are plenty of places in this country where you can spend all your money and be satisfied with your purchases.

We hope that our advice will be useful to you and help you plan an unforgettable vacation in Vietnam, which you will remember for a long time to come with purchased souvenirs and bright life-affirming photos.