If you are a world traveler, a nature lover, a student of unique cultures or a gourmand who enjoys Asian cuisine, then Vietnam is a country that you will surely fall in love with. Fascinating and beautiful, Vietnam not only has a unique geography and landscape, but also its own distinct culture and cuisine.
Geography: Vietnam is a long, thin country that stretches along the right coast of the South-eastern Asian peninsula. There are few countries in which you can experience multiple climates in one trip, but here you can travel from the cool mountainous north to the hot tropical south. And along the way you will see stunning landscapes that have been recognised by Unesco as World Heritage Sites.
Culture: Vietnamese culture is unique in many ways. It not only has its own language, cuisine, architecture, but also intricate social customs. The culture is strongly influenced by Chinese culture, and also years of Chinese rule in its history, which has led to a Confucianist society. However it has also been strongly influenced by ancient Hindu empires to its left, such as the Khmer in Cambodia, and by Hindu Buddhism. Colonization by the French has left its marks in terms of impressive French architecture and the creation of French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine.
People: The Vietnamese people are generally gentle, accommodating and quick to learn. They are eager to absorb lessons from new cultures, but are also protective of their own traditions and customs. Poverty levels are still high but the people are resilient and self-reliant. Many young Vietnamese can speak fluent English and there is a strong interest in becoming entrepreneurs.
History: Vietnam’s history sheds light on the characteristics of this nation and its people. Ever since ancient history, it has been an area that has suffered occupation and colonization by foreign powers. Its history tells of emperors and warriors that fought off invasions from Chinese and Mongol armies that came over land and sea. The subsequent French colonization, World War II invasion by Japan and Vietnam War tell the story of what the Vietnamese people have endured.
Cuisine: Lastly, one cannot leave out a major reason to visit Vietnam, and that’s its world-famous cuisine. Vietnamese food is known for its simple style and delicate flavors that bring out the taste of fresh ingredients, making it one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. Much of the classic dishes are Chinese in origin, for example, the noodle soups, spring rolls and dumplings. But they are given a twist with Thai fish sauce, lemongrass and basil. And trading with India also gave Vietnamese their own types of curry.
Colonisation by the French then introduced French-style cooking into Vietnamese cuisine. The humble baguette is an essential part of everyday life in Vietnam, and many French-influenced dishes have made their way into fine dining such as bouillabaisse and tartare.
Influenced by many cultures that have come before, and years of political turmoil, today’s Vietnam is thriving and bustling, but still as mysterious as the mist on its hills. With so many reasons to visit Vietnam, consider planning that trip today.