What Foreigners Love Most About Vietnam

Despite differences in lifestyle and culture, Vietnam continues to captivate tourists with its breathtaking landscapes, hospitable people, and fascinating stories of tradition.

What Foreigners Love Most About Vietnam

1. Secure Destination

When planning a vacation, the first thing travelers consider is choosing a safe destination. Therefore, Vietnam's most endearing quality to foreign visitors is the safety it offers for travel, even when exploring solo.

Business Insider has rated Vietnam as the safest and friendliest destination in Southeast Asia among the top 30 ideal travel spots. Ho Chi Minh City was also ranked 48th in The Economist's list of the 50 safest cities for travel in 2015.

This is not the first time Vietnam has been honored by foreign websites or newspapers. Last year, Business Insider ranked Vietnam 45th in safety and 2nd in happiness. DeMorgen (Belgium) also praised this S-shaped country as particularly suitable for female travelers.

2. Abundance of Landmarks

Stretching from North to South, Vietnam boasts numerous landmarks that leave travelers in awe. In the compilation of the most attractive destinations globally, Vietnam has consistently earned its place.

These include Hanoi – the capital for peace, Ha Long – one of the world's natural wonders, the world's largest natural cave Son Doong, terraced fields in the Northwest with breathtaking beauty, and the most beautiful beaches stretching from the North to the South, along with countless other historical landmarks and sites.

3. Rich History

Vietnam has a rich culture and history spanning over 4,000 years. This is most evident in the treasure trove of folklore, traditional regional festivals, cuisine, and French colonial architecture still present in structures like French-style villas, pagodas, shrines, and historical monuments. Today, visitors come to Vietnam not only to sightsee and relax but also to explore the profound history of the resilient Vietnamese people.

4. Culinary Delights

Vietnamese cuisine is highly cherished and praised by foreign tourists. On the global culinary map, Vietnam has contributed several delicious dishes, including the well-known pho, banh mi, bun cha, and fried spring rolls, all universally recognized.

In addition, street food and sidewalk eateries with countless delectable dishes are among the things that delight tourists when exploring the daily life of the Vietnamese people. Vietnamese food is not as spicy as Thai cuisine, not as formal as European dishes, and not as greasy as Chinese cuisine, but rather subtle, enduring, and not overly oily. Tourists can enjoy pho all day without getting tired. Besides the famous beef pho, there are many variations such as stir-fried pho, rolled pho, puffed fried pho, and chicken pho.

5. Coffee Culture

Coffee is not originally from Vietnam, but the country is renowned for its famous coffee specialty – egg coffee. Coffee enthusiasts in Vietnam often drink phin-brewed coffee with a bit of condensed milk or rich and aromatic egg coffee, rather than opting for bland instant coffee – a mass-produced industrial beverage.

Egg coffee receives acclaim from many foreign newspapers for its uniqueness, nutritional value, and deliciousness.

6. Fresh and Delectable Cuisine

One of the unique attractions in Vietnam that captivates curious travelers is the stalls showcasing fresh and delicious food in markets, rather than supermarkets filled with frozen goods.

Wandering around the markets in Vietnam, foreign tourists can witness live fish swimming, shrimp wriggling in basins, vibrant pieces of fresh red meat, or the bustling activity as recently butchered pork is brought to the market for sale. The abundance of tropical fresh fruits and vegetables in the market stores also delights visitors.

7. Friendly and Kind Locals

Most foreign tourists readily sense the warm hospitality, attentiveness, and friendliness of the Vietnamese people. They are willing to guide you to the shortest route to attractions or help you catch a bus, even if language barriers pose a challenge. Undoubtedly, foreign travelers quickly appreciate the generosity, helpfulness, and open-heartedness of these kind, hardworking individuals.

8. Affordable Travel

Traveling in Vietnam is far from being as expensive as Tokyo, Japan, yet it offers countless fascinating experiences waiting for explorers. Many foreign publications have ranked Vietnam among the most affordable and pleasant travel destinations compared to other countries.

In fact, the Happy Lifestyle Journal provides an example, stating that with the amount just enough to rent a budget 3-star hotel room in New York, travelers can enjoy upscale services and quality at 5-star hotels or luxury resorts in Vietnam.

Even in cities considered to have a high cost of living in Vietnam such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are plenty of budget accommodations, and homestays for travelers looking for backpacking or budget travel experiences.

According to Timeout Vietnam

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour