How Safe is Vietnam? - South African Tourist Guides

WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VIETNAM?

The Country of Friendliness

If you have traveled to a lot of countries before, you will realize that Vietnamese friendliness is incredible when comparing to others. In Thailand, people are considered to be so kind and hospitality but when you come to Vietnam, people are way more enthusiastic and genuine.

It is a familiar image when a Vietnamese say random “hello” with a beautiful true smile. Especially in the rural area, when asking for several - day accommodation, many visitors said to had been welcome and treated like a king, they were given the best room, best dishes, despite the boundary of language. Hospitality must be their tradition.

Low Crime Rate

People feel secure in Vietnam are not just some general tourists but it seems the same to many presidents, chairpersons, and celebrities of different countries. To make it clearer, in 2017, Justin Trudeau after discussing trade with Vietnam did have coffee in Ho Chi Minh city’s pavement. In the evening, he went jogging and running alongside Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe river, with only one guard accompanied. Barack Obama - the president of Vietnam, have “Bun Cha” in Ha Noi restaurant and black ice coffee in Ho Chi Minh coffee shop.

Former American President Barack Obama & chef Anthony Bourdain enjoyed Bun Cha in Hanoi among locals

Moreover, Vietnam is proud of zero terrorists, bomb attack, mass shootings, and others form of crimes in large scale. In 2018, the country was honored to be the top 60 countries in the global peace index (announced by IEP). On the other hand, the country, highlights are big cities, still exists petty theft and intense traffic.

Budget - Friendly Destination

With at least $20US for a day's budget in Vietnam, a tourist can afford basic needs for food, accommodation, and transportation. Wandering around the crowded streets from 7:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night, you can find a lot of eateries, coffee shops at an unbelievable cheap price.

What can you do with only 10 dollars? Not much right, but in Vietnam, a bowl of Pho, Bun Bo, Hu Tieu Nam Vang (all are noodle soup) is only about 2 - 3 US dollars, a cup of water, bottles of waters cost around 50 cents and a glass of black coffee with ice costs around 60 cents. Of course, there are many more savory dishes and cold drinks that cost less than 2,50 US dollars. Guesthouses with fine facilities are available with the price of $15US per day, you can find for the price and the room condition easily on booking website before staying.

Some Useful Tips to Keep in Mind:

Multiple advantages when staying at backpacker hostels. Backpacker hostels near the city center and in walking distance to hospital, supermarket, Ben Thanh Market, other places of interest, are available on Pham Ngu Lao street, Bui Vien street. The reasonable price offered.

Though the price is considered cheap, you can always bargain at local markets, fairs, shopping markets.

Move around by bike, grab (a transporting company), public means of transport, hired motorbike and walking can save a large amount of money.

Seductive Cuisine

Many foreign tourists commended Vietnam cuisine as various and are delicious at first taste. Vietnam cuisine allures visitors with savory dishes from 3 regions: the North, the Central Highlands, and the South.

Among them, the dish made up Vietnamese title is Pho, a lot of travelers were highly satisfied when the first time have the dish in its motherland. More proofs of Vietnamese delicious cuisine, in the 40th anniversary of diplomatic between Japan-Vietnam, the Japanese citizens are glad to say that they had known Vietnam through the country cuisine and will return for the lovely view, people and tasty dishes.

In 2011, Gordon Ramsey visited Vietnam for an episode of Gordon Great Escape. he had experienced many traditional dishes of Vietnam and leaves positive comments about the country’s cuisine.  He fell in love with the complex flavor of Vietnam dishes, especially Hu Tieu.

Used to travel to Vietnam, Jamie Oliver also gave his complement to Vietnam cuisine, his interestingness leads him to learn and share his recipes of Ca Kho To (braised fish), Pho (noodle soup), Bun Cha (vermicelli and grilled chopped meat) on his own website. The country also welcomes the visit of Anthony Bourdain – one famous chef and documentary film producer.

A delicious bow of Pho

WHAT MAKES VIETNAM TRAVEL POPULAR RECENTLY?

The Golden Bridge

Since the inauguration in June 2018, the Golden Bridge quiclky becomes a new tourist attraction in Vietnam which draws a lot of attention from the world for its unique architecture. The bridge is located in Sun World Ba Na Hill, Da Nang and be remarkable when 2 giant hands supporting the 150-meter-long bridge on the edge of the mountain providing a spectacular view over the placid surrounding areas. The Golden Bridge is listed as top 100 stunning bridges in the world and be recognized by many famous architect websites. It not only makes the country proud but contribute a great number of visitors to Vietnam tourism.

The Intercontinental Da Nang Peninsula Resort

Also is a construction of Sun Group, the Intercontinental Da Nang Peninsula Resort, addresses on Son Tra Peninsula, has won titles, rewards at World Travel Awards (WTA) in 2018. In more detail, it won the title of “World’s Leading Green Resort”, and considered as the top resort in Asian in many aspects.

Right in the Peninsula, mountain ranges extend to the edge of the coastline, lush green forest covers all the surface and the white cloud arrays blur the mountain peaks, formed the harmonious nature picture. Son Tra is also a nature reservation that spread to 4000 hectares. Be home for over 22 kinds of rare vegetation and about 300 animal species. Come to Son Tra Peninsula, tourist will sure have their most enjoyable vacation.

The Blockbuster Kong: Skull Island

Vietnam has long famous for the spectacular landscapes scattered across the country from the UNESCO world heritage site of Halong Bay in the north to the biggest cave in the world - Son Doong in the Central and the boiterous Mekong Delta in the South. May be this is the reason why Vietnam was chosen to be the setting of the outstanding movie Kong: Skull Island.

In 2017, the movie was released which showed the spectacular scenery, unique culture and brought Vietnamese natural landscapes to the audience around the world. The film was set the studio in Van Long Nature Reserve, Tam Coc and Trang An (Ninh Binh Province), Halong Bay (Quang Ninh Province) and Tu Lan Caves (Quang Binh Province) which are the leading destinations of remarkable natural sites in Vietnam.

The entrance of Tu Lan Caves

After gaining record revenues, Jordan Vogt-Roberts stated that Kong: Skull Island was able to be as successful as today, thanks to the glamorous natural sites of Vietnam. He said that he did apply special effects to the film but Vietnam beauty is what cannot be built on a computer.

The Meeting Point of Important Summits.

In recent years, Vietnam had hold may meetings and be visited by great politicians, celebrities and influencers around the world. In 2016, Barack Obama’s visit to Vietnam to fulfil a promise in 2013 before his term in office expired. Considering the nearest events, Vietnam honored to be a host of Trump - Kim Summit (or Hanoi Summit) in 2019. Thus, Vietnam is completely a safe and peaceful destination to not only travellers but the VIP guests. 

F1 Race - Vietnam Grand Prix

In 2020, Vietnam is the chosen country to organized the F1 Race. The Formula One's boss Chase Carey decided the race to be hosted in the capital of Hanoi with the street circuit of 5.57km with 22 corners. In a certain way, fans from global would visit Hanoi to cheer for their favorite sport but perhaps this will be the beginning of the tour around the city. It is true that Hanoi has an undeniable attraction that can completely drag you in. 

Another good news for Vietnamese tourism, when the race takes place, Hanoi's lovely capital will be on screen, attach to the audience worldwide. Isn’t in this way, Hanoi in particular and Vietnam, in general, have the potential of future tourism? No one can deny that.

All in all, Vietnam is totally a safe and worth visit country regarding the breath - taking landscapes, diverse culture, exquisite cusine and of course the world - famous events.