There’s no better place to start than this fantastic collection of 20 facts about Vietnam. The Southeast Asian country of Vietnam is known for its rich culture, stunning natural beauty and remarkable history, but here, we explore some of the lesser-known tidbits — ideal for intrepid travelers looking beneath the surface.
Cultural Insights
1. Áo Dài – Traditional Dress
The áo dài is the perfect representation of Vietnamese refinement and tradition. Consisting of a form-fitting bodice with floor-length panels that flow and ripple with movement, it’s typically worn over light trousers – a visual representation of the flowing esthetics of Vietnam itself.
2. Tết – Lunar New Year
Vietnam’s celebration of the Lunar New Year, known in the country as Tết, is a riot of fireworks, traditional music, and streets bedecked with bright decorations. Families show their respect for ancestors and express hopes for the coming year. The streets are lined with red star-and-coin ballots, and the markets are filled with offerings and flowers, contributing to the festive spirit that makes the soul sing.
3. Motorcycles as a Lifestyle
In Vietnam, motorbikes are not just a mode of transport, but a way of life. Life in urban and rural areas alike has a rhythm punctuated by the thrum of engines, while simple skill and balance sometimes allows families, businesses, and even entire shops’ stock getting carted around on one motorbike, capturing the essence of the nation’s dynamic adaptiveness.
4. Thái Học Water Puppetry
Among the more charming art forms to flourish in Vietnam, water puppetry is said to have originated in the nation in the 11th century – a performance involving lacquered wooden puppets performing on a stage of water. This captivating artform, set to traditional music, tells humorous and historical tales of Vietnamese rural life.
5. The Coffee
Strong, full-bodied coffee is a telling reflection of most Vietnamese people’s love of coffee. Whether the thick, incredibly strong drip will be sweetened into rocket fuel with condensed milk, or the strange and wonderful ‘egg coffee’, indulging in a Vietnamese coffee feels both laboriously traditional and shockingly modern.
Cultural Sites
6. Hội An Ancient Town
With its lantern-lit streets and historical homes, Hội An’s historic district is a window to the past. Once a major port, the town’s architectural legacy is best seen in the homes of merchant traders. Add in peaceful river vistas, and you have a timeless snapshot of days gone by.
7. Imperial City of Huế
A colossal testament to Vietnam’s imperial history, Huế’s walled city contains palaces and temples that speak of the Nguyen dynasty’s golden age. A city within a city, the site remains one of the most potent legacies of Vietnam’s days as an empire.
8. Củ Chi Tunnels
A network of tunnels stretching more than 250 km, the Củ Chi Tunnels are a testament to the Viet Cong's guerrilla warfare during the Vietnam War. Hidden from view, the network allowed soldiers to operate with impunity, and remains a chilling monument to the indefatigability of the Vietnamese.
9. Legend of Hạ Long Bay
The ethereal, emerald waters and towering limestone islets of Hạ Long Bay belie the folklore that gave them life. The story goes that dragons dropped down from the heavens to defend the region from invasion, vomiting jades that became islands when they reached the ground. You may not spy dragons here today – they’ve packed their bags – but the mystery remains. This iconic nature site is a true wonder of the world.
10. French Colonialism
Though it lasted just a century, France's influence on Vietnam was deep and lasting. The French may have brought architecture and baguettes and coffee to the Vietnamese, but the Vietnamese made them their own. Alongside indigenous culture, colonial influence is part of what makes Vietnam unlike any other place on Earth.
Natural Wonders
11. Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park
A UNESCO site and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng is fascinating as much for what’s below its surface as above. Limestone karsts dating back 400 million years, and so many caves that the full exploration of the area’s subterranean system might take a millennium or two, make this a fascinating place for cavers and researchers.
12. Mekong Delta
Known as Vietnam’s “Rice Bowl”, the Mekong Delta is a network of rivers and swamps that irrigate millions of hectares of rice paddies, and a way of life for the people who live on its shores. Houses on stilts rise above the water, and rivers are busy with boats ferrying people and produce. It’s at once fertile and absolutely captivating.
13. Da Nang’s Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains, a quintet of limestone-and-marble hills south of Da Nang, are suffused with caves, some of which contain ancient Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries. For locals, the mountains have spiritual meaning; for visitors, they’re a chance to enjoy views from chairs set at the peaks.
14. Ninh Bình Province
Often referred to as an inland Hạ Long Bay, the otherworldly beauty of Ninh Bình sees limestone karsts, rivers, and temples set amidst the greenery. Tranquil boat rides through the scenery are a highlight.
15. Sapa Rice Terraces
The mountain town of Sapa is best-known for the terraced rice paddies that undulate across the Muong Hoa Valley. A true marvel of human endeavor, the carefully tiered terraces are ripe for exploration as their fields shift through the seasons.
Modern Vibes
16. Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam's biggest city is a non-stop whirl of commerce and culture. Modernity abuts tradition; see contemporary skyscrapers looming over classic Vietnamese homes. Night markets jostle with hipster cafés.
17. Vietnam Culinary
Vietnamese cuisine is all about the harmony of five fundamental flavor groups: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Herbs and spices play a large part in Vietnamese cooking, and dishes are richly textured as a result.
18. Sustainable Energetics
Vietnam is investing heavily in renewable energy to fuel its rapidly growing economy, with significant solar and wind power projects. This not only means cleaner power but puts Vietnam at the forefront of renewable tech in the region.
19. Film Industry Flourishes
Vietnam's film industry is enjoying a golden period, with local talent creating ever better film and TV products that showcase Viet life and locations to the world. Expect to see more homegrown content in and out of the country.
20. Silicon Hanoi
Vietnam's youthful population is tech-fluent and savvy, leading to an explosion of home-grown tech startups covering everything from fintech to e-commerce.
Summary
These are just 20 of countless fascinating factors that make up what Vietnam is today.
A country on the move, blending ancient history with irresistible culture and modernity.
Whether you're visiting or merely curious, this taster shows that Vietnam is more than worth exploring.