INTERESTING VIETNAM FACTS
Vietnam facts: Surprising facts you didn’t know about Vietnam. A perfect destination with the mesmerizing beauty and enchanting landscapes, friendly locals and a country with diverse culture and life-style. What do you know about Vietnam? Here’s a list of Interesting facts about Vietnam and the Vietnamese that you probably didn’t know! In this post, we are going to tell you all those secrets that you probably didn’t know about Vietnam and I hope you can enjoy and get to know as twice as possible facts about Vietnam before making your trip.
The idea of interesting facts about Vietnam is to give you as much as possible general Information about Vietnam, so travelers like you can get an approximate idea regarding the most important facts. From geography, through the economy, history, religion and language, I’m trying to make them simple and easy to understand and you will find it these useful Vietnam facts if you are thinking of traveling to Vietnam
Is it possible to go around when I just speak English in Vietnam? A question that is widely discussed and questioned from our friends and generally from anyone who is tend to visit Vietnam. The short answer to the question “Can I get by with just English in Vietnam” is YES, you can and Difficulty getting around if you dont speak Vietnamese is lower and lower since in the big cities almost all young people speak a bit of English and you will find yourself overwhelmed if you try to ask a direction of a particular places you going to visit. The main tourist areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Danang and other big towns are well oriented to English speaking locals. Tours are conducted in English and if you are a little hesitant may i suggest you hire an English speaking Vietnamese Translator
Interesting Vietnam facts you need to get to know them
1. The conical hat or Nón Lá: Vietnam facts
One of the symbols Vietnam is the “Nón Lá”. This Vietnamese conical hat has numerous usage. For example, protect from the sunshine as Vietnamese find it very important to cover their skin, so it is widely used for this purpose. On the other hand, it is also used to cover your head from the rain. In addition, it is used as a basket or bag to carry food or fruits. Nón Lá comes in one form and it is used for both man and woman.
2. Rice in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the largest rice exporters in the world. Rice is part of the culture in Vietnam and farming is pretty much depend in the rice cultivation. Most of the Vietnam’s rice is harvested in the Mekong Delta in south and the Red River in the north.
3. The old quarter of Hanoi
The old quarter of Hanoi is made up of the 36 narrow and busy streets. Each one is dedicated to a different trade section. Hanoi old quarter is located within north of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is very touristy but it is worth taking a walk and seeing the workshops, which are open to the public. Guesthouses, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes are everywhere making it easy for tourists to make a choice.
4. Bargaining in Vietnam: An interesting Vietnam facts
Bargaining is very common throughout Southeast Asia, and in Vietnam as well. As in everywhere, you may bargain when you’re shopping in the tourist area. Vietnam’s silk, coffee and handicrafts are very interesting and special to buy as a gift, getting the final price is all depend on your negotiation skill. Learn more about how to buy suit in Vietnam
5. The meaning the country and its flag
Vietnam was part of China until 938 A.D. Viêt was the name that the Chinese gave to the people of that region and Nam means south. So, Viêt Nam would mean something like “the people of the south.” Regarding to the flag of Vietnam, it is composed of: a red background, which pays tribute to the martyrs of the Vietnam war. And in the middle, there is a yellow 5-pointed star. It represents farmers, intellectuals, workers, soldiers and youth. Click here to learn more about meaning of Vietnam in details
6. Seasons in Vietnam
The seasons are varied in Vietnam, when its cold in the north, its hot and humid in the south. In northern Vietnam we will experience the 4 seasons : spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, in the south only 2: wet and dry season. This Vietnam facts makes you surprised as of the humidity of the country and the rain in the south there are sand dunes in Mui Ne in south central coasts of Vietnam which make you think of the sand dunes of the Sahara.
7. Motorcycles in Vietnam
Vietnam is a motorcycle culture country as locals use motorcycle as the main mean of transportation. It is estimated that there are more than 30 million scooters and motorbikes in Vietnam which makes it one of the biggest countries the world in terms of motorbike riding culture. Most tourist find it relatively difficult to cross any roads in Vietnam as motorbikes, cars and buses cross the lines altogether. No matter what you hearing, its all fun and its Vietnam.
8. Vietnamese language
Chinese alphabet was used in Vietnam until the early 20th century as you still see them in old pagodas and some historic temples. Since then, the Latin alphabet is used. Anyway, Vietnamese language is one of the most complicated languages in the world. The problem is the accents and that the tone given to the words can change their meanings completely. In the south there are 5 tones and in the north 6. So, the same word can have up to 6 different meanings. Another curiosity and facts about language of Vietnam is that the words “I” and “you” do not exist. Instead, the words “brother” and “Sister” are used, depending on the age of each party.
Hello: Xin chao (seen chow)
Goodbye: Chao (chow!)
How are you? Ban co khoe khong? (ban co kwe khome?)
I’m fine, thank you: Cam on ban, toi khoe (gahm un ban thoy kwe)
And you? Ban thi sao? (ban ty sao?)
What’s your name? Ban ten gi (ban thane zee)
My name is…… Toi ten la (thoy thane la…)
Thank you Cam on (gahm un)
You’re welcome- Khong co’ gi (khom ga zee)
Yes: Vang (vung)
No: Khong (khome, blow your mouth up)
Excuse me… Xin loi (seen loy)
I’d like to eat: Toi muon an (thoy moowan un)
I’d like to drink: Toi muon uong (thoy moowan oowanh)
Good: Tot (thote)
Bad: Khong tot (khome thote)
How much: Bao nhieu (bow nyew)
Too expensive: Mac qua (mahk qwa)
Hotel: Khach San (khack san)
Hot: Nong (nom)
Cold: Lanh (lang)
Coffee: Ca phe (cah feh)
Tea Tra (chah)
9. Pho: the beef noodle soup
Phở , the beef noodle soup and the famous national dish of Vietnam can be seen pretty much at any corner and anywhere you go. The Vietnamese eat Pho noodle soup at all hours. It consists of a hot soup with rice noodles and vegetables, aromatic herbs.
10. Cao-Dai Rituals
Between 2 and 3 million Vietnamese are followers of a religion called Cao dai. It was found in 1926 and is a mixture between Taoism, Christianity and Buddhism. The three recognized saints of this religion are the founder of the Republic of China Sun Yat-sen, the poet Victor Hugo and the Vietnamese professor Nguyen Binh Khiem.
11. Squat sitting: Vietnamese way to sit
The Vietnamese sit in a very curious way in order to relax and rest. Squatting used to be a popular way to enjoy the street foods, specially the noodles in Vietnam. To try to sit in Vietnamese way, the squat itself is simple and easy but it may be difficult to westerns as they use to sit in the chair and sofa, sit down and place both feet on the ground and hunker down with your butt touching your ankles and your knees slightly spreading apart. It’s easy to try, however, you may cant suffer for more than a minutes. Try it…
12. Economy of Vietnam
Another important aspect and facts about Vietnam is the country’s economic context. The international isolation to which Vietnam was subjected after the victory of the communists plunged Vietnam into backwardness and poverty. However, since 1986, the country has experienced growth in the economy and open to global modernization which government has chosen to promote high technology, tourism and import and export. Currently, Vietnam is one of the largest producer of coffee in the world.
13. Snake wine
Same wine, some drink it as they believe its a medicine made by the Vietnamese where they grab several types of venomous snakes like the krait which can be found mainly in northern Vietnam and in the delta of Mekong as well as in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Snake wine has been produced for many years and, according to locals, it cures any type of illness. Now you know a little more facts about country of Vietnam.
SUMMARY: We hope that this general information about Vietnam fans has helped you to start your knowledge about this wonderful destination. And if you need more information on any of the topics we mentioned above, feel free to contact us and especially if you are booking holiday to Vietnam, we encourage you to read out free travel blogs.
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