Vietnam is a fascinating mix of intense urban energy, ancestral traditions, extraordinary cuisine, and spectacular landscapes. The regions most frequently visited by tourists are Hanoi and Ha Long Bay in the north of the country.
Hanoi – The Capital of Chaos and History
Hanoi is the vibrant capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In the city center you can see, among others, the Lenin Monument and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – one of the most visited places in the country.
The Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets filled with shops selling silk, jade jewelry, traditional paintings, and the iconic conical hats. In almost every shop and restaurant there is a small ancestral altar with offerings – cola, cigarettes, fruit, incense, or flowers.
Narrow Houses – “Tube Houses”
One of the most characteristic elements of local architecture are the so-called tube houses – very narrow but deep buildings, often several stories high. Their shape dates back to the time of French colonization, when taxes were calculated based on the width of the façade. People therefore started building their houses as narrow as possible, which later became a local tradition.
Vietnamese Cuisine – What You Should Know
Vietnamese cuisine can be challenging for vegans and vegetarians. It’s useful to know the phrase:
“không thịt” – no meat
Popular dishes:
- nasi goreng – fried rice
- mie goreng – fried noodles
- banh mi – a baguette with vegetables
- tofu, fermented soy, rice
An interesting specialty is egg coffee – served in a cup placed in a bowl of hot water.
Ha Long Bay – A Different Kind of Paradise
Ha Long Bay is made up of over 2,000 limestone islands and islets rising from the water. Although photos on the internet often show it in unnaturally turquoise colors, in reality it has a more raw, mystical atmosphere.
The best way to explore it is by boat cruise – offers vary in standard and length. The program usually includes:
- kayaking between the islets,
- visits to caves,
- viewpoints,
- swimming at designated beaches,
- pearl farms,
- evening karaoke on board.
Karaoke – A National Obsession
Karaoke is literally everywhere in Vietnam – from villages to city centers. On boats in Ha Long Bay it often becomes the main evening attraction, and the local audience doesn’t care about being out of tune or about performance style. It’s all about having fun 🙂
Volcanoes and Anak Krakatau
Between Java and Sumatra lies the active volcano Anak Krakatau – one of many reminders that Indonesia is located in a highly seismically active zone.
Vietnam is a land of contrasts – spirituality, noise, tradition, and modernity. It’s not a paradise in the classic sense, but a place that stays in your memory for a long time.
Malvina Dunder 
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