1.You will leave your comfort zone
Getting off the beaten track is one of the best things you can do in Viet Nam, and it’s not that hard to do. Wandering away from the tourist area, or venturing to a local market
Getting off the beaten track is one of the best things you can do inVietnam, and it’s not that hard to do. Wandering away from the tourist area, or venturing to a local market will show you that Le Loi and Hoan Kiem Lake, while beautiful, only paint a partial picture of the country.
2. You will learn to love fish sauce
Leave mayonnaise and ketchup behind. In Vietnam fish sauce is king. This salty liquid, made from fermented fish, is bit smelly but after a few days, your taste buds won’t be able to live with out it. Be sure to add lime and chili for some kick
3. You will drink ice tea instead of water
Water is great on its own, but the Vietnamese have a love affair with ice tea, especially in the south. As a result, the only water you’ll be drinking will come from a bottle. From street cafes to restaurants, iced tea is the drink of choice for locals. So when you’re at a restaurant, ask for tra da (pronounced “cha da”) instead of water.
4.You will hear Pho said the right way
It’s all about the tones in Vietnam. Even the most subtle change in a word could radically change the meaning. Start by practicing the common foods like pho. Take “fuh” like you’re going to say that naughty four-letter word which rhymes with “duck”. Then make it a question.
5. You will be charmed by smiles
From toothless old men to kids hawking packs of gum, smiles will be a constant on your trip, especially if you can rattle off a few words inVietnamese. Not only are they everywhere, but they are also genuine.
6. You will learn where to look to buy cool stuffmade inVietnam
There are plenty of amazing products available in Vietnam, the key is knowing where to look. Tourist markets may have seemingly endless options, but you’ll quickly find that many stalls sell the same, cheaply made products.
7. You will learn to distinguish between the good, the bad, and the fake
Vietnam is a country where copyright exists only in theory: from appropriating international brand names to churning out $1 DVDs, fake products are everywhere you look. And you get what you pay for. Luckily, there are a number of local brands that may not have the cheapest products in town, but use high-quality, long-lasting materials. A few years from now, you’ll be patting yourself on the back that you decided to spend a little bit extra.
8. You will get an adrenalin rush crossing the street
It might look like there is no rhyme or reason to the way people drive on the busy streets ofVietnam. But,there are many unspoken rules that will help you safely cross the street. walk at a consistent pace respect cars and buses make eye contact with drivers of oncoming traffic look both ways, even on one-way streets be brave and go forit!
9. You will become a millionaire
Vietnamese money has a lot of zeroes. A great way to keep your money organized is to put your bills in descending order in your purse or wallet, as you can easily confuse the 20,000 note (1 USD) and the 500,000 note (25 USD) due to their similar colors. Quick price references for your trip include: water – 10,000 VND or less ice coffee on the street – 12,000 VND or less a typical lunch – 60,000 VND or less
10. You will be called “you-motobike-you” daily
Xe om, or motorbike taxis will approach you when they see you walking on the street. Don’t be alarmed, they’re your friends. If you need to take a ride with one, keep in mind that crossing the city from one side to the other should be under 100,000 VND (5 USD). So if you’re traveling within downtown Saigon, you should bargain and keep it under 30,000 VND. For shorter distances, it can be cheaper to take Mai Linh or Vina Sun taxis, the most trustworthy taxi brands.
11. You will eat… and eat… and eat
The most amazing food in Vietnam is eaten on plastic chairs on the street. Unlike its western counterpart, Vietnamese fast food is healthy, fresh, and is available from carts everywhere. Try banh cuon, bun bo hue, banh mi, sweet ginger tofu, fresh fruit, smoothies, or take a chance and try something that looks delicious!
12. You will drink beer with ice
Vietnamese beer is cheap (around 0.50 USD) and light and often comes with a huge block of ice. However, it can be something to avoid in certain situations. When in doubt, rub a lime around the rim of your beer bottle and drink from it instead.
13. You will laugh like this: KA KA KA
If you have the chance to make some local friends (ahem), you might notice some unusual ways they send text messages. Here are a few common things you might run into: “kakaka” or “hiiiiiii” = laughing “uhm” = agreement “q1” = district 1 (quan = district) “G9” or “99” = good night
14. You will love the “bum gun”
Vietnam amazingly has hoses in just about all toilets; toilet paper is only used to dry off your nether regions. Nha ve sinh, or toilets, in your home country won’t be the same again, unless you have Japanese washlettes or French bidets.
15. You will not want to leave
When your trip is coming to a close, the sad reality will quickly set in. You’re leaving behind “bum guns”, fish sauce on everything, beautiful smiles, and products that you can’t find in your home country. But cheer up, Vietnam will always be just a plane ride away and here waiting for you.
In addition, To enjoy the most beautiful sightseeings in Vietnam by your eyes, you can see some itineraries below Halong Bay Cruises – Hanoi Tour – Vietnam Tours – Sapa Tours – Package Tours or book a private car to discover where ever you want to enjoy the Vietnamese taste.