Top 10 Things Foreign Visitors Love About Vietnam

When anyone plans to travel to a country, the first thing they consider is the level of safety. In a world filled with news about female travelers being kidnapped, tourists being robbed or assaulted, safety becomes a crucial factor for many.

In 2014, our Vietnam was praised by the reputable Belgian newspaper DeMorgen as a safe destination for female travelers. In 2015, Business Insider voted our country as the safest and friendliest destination in the Southeast Asia region. Ho Chi Minh City even ranked 48th among the safest cities for tourists.

Incidents of robbery, disturbance, or assault against tourists are virtually non-existent in our country. Social issues threatening tourists have never been reported. Vietnam completely lives up to the trust as a safe destination for all travelers.

Speaking of scenic landmarks, throughout Vietnam, there is no place without them, whether it's terraced fields in the mountainous regions, rivers and streams, or various caves—each has the power to attract a large number of foreign tourists to Vietnam.

Our country's Ha Long Bay is one of the world's natural heritages. Son Doong is listed among the most natural caves on the planet. Hoi An, with its ancient town, is worth visiting... these are not only famous in Vietnam but also renowned worldwide. Vietnam has repeatedly made it to the list of the most attractive countries globally.

Our country boasts a rich cultural and historical legacy spanning over 4,000 years, with nearly 3,000 years of ancient civilization leaving behind numerous cultural treasures in the nation's historical treasure trove. In terms of folklore, we have countless genres of poetry that hold deep cultural values, such as legends, fairy tales, and poetic works... Nguyễn Du's masterpiece, 'The Tale of Kieu,' has even been translated into international English, and Nguyễn Trãi is listed among the world's greatest historical figures...

Our folklore includes numerous traditional festivals that take place regularly, varying by region, such as the Hùng Kings' Temple Festival in Phú Thọ, quan họ singing in Bắc Ninh, boat racing, buffalo fighting, rice cooking competitions... in the majority of mountainous ethnic regions, contributing to the diverse cultural heritage of our country.

Architectural structures with a historical imprint, such as communal houses, pagodas, ancient capitals... and other historical relics. Foreign visitors come to Vietnam not only for tourism but also to explore and study the history of our ethnic groups.

Although our country isn't the birthplace of coffee, it consistently ranks among the world's top coffee exporters every year. The reason foreigners appreciate and buy a lot of our coffee is the deliciously distinct taste, sweet and refreshing, unlike other coffees around the world.

Foreign visitors highly praise the diversity in coffee trading in our country. A small shop, a sidewalk stall, or even a mobile coffee vendor can deliver a cup of coffee to anyone, and the prices are incredibly affordable.

Coffee in Vietnam can quickly wake you up, even when feeling sluggish or tired due to the hot weather outside. When the humidity rises, and everything becomes damp, just add some ice to your coffee to regain the energy to work.

When it comes to the world's culinary map, Vietnam contributes iconic dishes like pho, bun cha, spring rolls, mi quang, banh mi... that everyone instantly recognizes as Vietnamese cuisine.

Each city in the country boasts its own unique gastronomic treasures, creating a rich and diverse culinary landscape. Hanoi is renowned for its various types of pho, including pho bo (beef pho), pho ga (chicken pho), and pho cuon (fresh spring rolls)... along with delightful dishes like bun cha, bun ca (fish noodle soup), bun rieu cua (crab noodle soup), and the famous bun nem that even former President Obama enjoyed. Da Nang captivates visitors with specialties like mi quang (turmeric noodle), bun mam (fermented fish noodle soup), pork rolled with rice paper, nem ran (fried spring rolls), and steamed lionfish... showcasing the unique flavors of the coastal city. Vietnamese cuisine stands out with its simplicity, freshness, and deliciousness, distinguishing it from European styles, Thai spiciness, and the oily richness of Chinese dishes.

However, one of the most fascinating aspects that leaves a lasting impression on foreign visitors is the incredibly diverse street food. Beyond the well-known pho and banh mi, Vietnam's streets offer countless dishes prepared with 'traditional secrets' awaiting exploration. Most street food comes at very affordable prices, perfect for indulging while strolling or sitting right on the sidewalk to savor the flavors.

Traveling in our country is not as expensive as New York, Dubai, Tokyo... but is considered quite budget-friendly. From infrastructure like hotels, guesthouses to commodities like vehicles, clothing, and various types of food, the prices in our country are always at a reasonable level compared to other countries worldwide.

For the cost of a 3-star hotel room in New York, tourists can enjoy 5-star quality services at the most luxurious hotels in our country. Without compromising quality for affordability, Vietnam often ranks among the countries with low-cost but high-quality tourism globally.

In developed countries, health-friendly food tends to be more expensive than fried and processed items. For example, a salad costs twice as much as a pizza. However, in Vietnam, healthy food is affordable. To buy a large bag of fresh fruits, you usually only spend 5 USD.

When it comes to the people of Vietnam, many tourists will recall the friendly, welcoming nature, the genuine willingness to help, and the ever-smiling faces that are warm and inviting everywhere. Foreign visitors often sense the attentive hospitality of the Vietnamese people, who enthusiastically assist them in simple tasks like catching a bus or guiding them through the shortest routes despite language barriers. They experience warmth, helpfulness, and friendliness from everyone they encounter...

Today, there are numerous tourists who come to Vietnam and even choose to stay for work and life. If you tell the locals that you enjoy staying here, they feel proud, seeing it as a sign that the country is gradually developing. That's why among the most significant impressions every traveler remembers after leaving our country is the sincere warmth that our land of friendly people provides.

'One of the first and more important things to learn when in Vietnam is how to cross the street,' is something that many tourists find fascinating in Vietnam. It may sound unbelievable, but many foreign visitors believe that learning to cross the street in Vietnam will give them a glimpse into the hustle and bustle of daily life here.

The primary means of transportation for Vietnamese people is the motorbike, different from cars or other vehicles, motorbikes bring a sense of crowds and vibrancy, especially in a country with over 39 million motorcycles. Renting a motorbike to explore is also not a bad choice.

Moreover, what interests foreign tourists when in Vietnam is the 'xe om,' considered a street specialty. Recommended as a traditional form of transportation, 'xe om' is an experience on the list of unique experiences in the S-shaped land. However, on foreign travel websites, tourists are often advised to negotiate the price beforehand to avoid overcharging situations.

Vietnam is a country with a long and easily accessible coastline. Even if you are in the high mountains in the north, you can reach the beach in Ha Long within half a day. From major cities like Hanoi and Saigon, it takes only a few hours to get to sunny beaches.

With a coastline of 3,260 km and over 3,000 islands large and small, Vietnam ranks 27th out of 156 countries with a coastline in the world. Vietnam's tourism is gaining a lot of advantages, being featured in the rankings of famous foreign websites and magazines. From extremely famous coastal tourist spots like Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc,... to some recently emerging beaches like Binh Ba, Binh Lap, Nam Du,... all attract tourists.

Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups with various belief systems and religions. Whether on a national scale or on a small village level, festivals are organized with great solemnity, reflecting the rich cultural values of Vietnam. Some festivals that leave a strong impression on international tourists about Vietnam's tourism include Traditional New Year (Tet), National Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Hung Kings' Temple Festival...

During Christmas and Lunar New Year, the streets are always adorned with colorful lights, attracting many people for joyful celebrations and photo opportunities.

While most locals plan for long-distance trips to beautiful landscapes during these days, foreign tourists choose to experience the atmosphere in Saigon in various ways: Exploring the central area to learn about Vietnamese culture, finding peaceful places to relax, or planning visits to famous landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum...