Have You Heard Vietnam is Difficult or the Vietnamese Unpleasant?

The Vietnamese are some of the nicest, friendliest, kindest and happiest people you could meet. They’re charming without being pushy, helpful, lovers of children and just genuinely nice. Of course there are some bad apples and most of the bad stories involve taxi driver scams, but in all our time in Vietnam we’ve seen only good. You need some travel smarts as you do in any country where haggling over prices is just the normal way to do things. Smile, try to use some Vietnamese and don’t be obnoxious. The Vietnamese are good people. See what happened when I fell off my bike in Hoi An if you need further evidence. Traffic and Roads in Vietnam Because speed limits are low and roads are largely populated by push bikes and scooters, we feel safer on the roads in Vietnam than we have done so far in any Asian country. Cities are busy but we cycle with our kids every day in Hoi An. Crossing the road is an adventure, nobody is going to stop, you just get used to picking your time and weaving between moving vehicles. Just yesterday I watched two little girls on their way to school, at 5 years old they know how it’s done and their parents trust they’ll be safe solo. Nobody on a bike has a death wish, they’re all trying to get home to their families safely but saying that, road death rates are high in Vietnam. Use common sense and don’t hire scooters unless you have a suitable international motorbike license and adequate insurance. Highlights of Vietnam The Hindu temple complex at My Son dates from the Champa period and is older than it’s counterpart, Angkor Wat. It’s around 1 hour from Hoi An by tour bus, take a guided tour, you’ll miss out on a lot of its 1000 years of history without a good guide. Vietnam has at least 8 UNESCO listed sites, including Ha Long Bay, Hue’s historic sites, the old town of Hoi An and the Champa complex at My Son sanctuary (above). Destinations in Vietnam There are a million places to visit in Vietnam and I can’t possibly put them all on this page. Let’s just start here with a few popular destinations. For more detail you’ll have to find the dedicated post on this site. Just follow the links or use the search box at the top of our side bar. Saigon ( Ho Chi Minh) Saigon refers to the inner city area of Ho Chi Minh City. Renamed after the war in honor of the North Vietnamese leader. The area that most people end up in is District 1 where you will find backpacker accommodation and agencies selling tours and transportation to just about anywhere in Vietnam. One of the best tours from Saigon would be to the Chu Chi tunnels which are located about 50 km west. This tour can include a Cau Dai temple visit, this religion is unique to Vietnam and was founded in 1912. The biggest draw card in Saigon itself is the War Remnants Museum and the Old Palace build by the South Vietnamese rulers but not used since tanks drove through its gates in 1975 to officially end the war. Saigon also boasts French Period architecture, abundant great food and fascinating markets. To book your Cu Chi Tunnels tour in advance ( recommended), check here . To Book Cu Chi, with the additional Cau Dai Temple Tour, look here. Hoi An Hoi An old town. We lived in Vietnam and Hoi An for 3 months to put this guide together. We’ve been living in Hoi An for a few months now and we’re pleased with our choice. This incredibly picturesque riverside city is something of a tourist hot spot these days, combing the charms of the Old Town with it’s ancient buildings, tailor’s shops and Hoi An central market with nearby rice paddies and beaches. Hoi An food is world famous and central Vietnam is a big producer of quality sea food. Around town there are various places of interest to keep you busy, throw a pot at the pottery village, take a free Vietnamese lesson or one of the many local eco tours. My Son Sanctuary and Marble Mountain are a short day trip from Hoi An and Hue is accessible by tour, bus or train. The nearest large city, Danang, is about 45 minutes away and is another beach-side tourist draw, popular with family holiday-makers Hanoi Hanoi streets. Words and photo by British bloggers Andrew and Amy of Our Big Fat Travel Adventure. They spent almost a year living and working in Hanoi. ” You haven’t experienced Vietnam until you’ve visited its noisy, vibrant capital city, Hanoi. Navigate the traffic-choked streets of the Old Quarter to discover crumbling colonial buildings, street vendors and traditional tubular shops. Hanoi is filled with historic buildings but don’t miss the ornate Temple of Literature, St Joseph’s Cathedral and the UNESCO listed Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.