If Vietnam is not yet on your must-visit list this year, then you are missing out on many beautiful things.  Located in the dynamic Southeast Asia, Vietnam fosters an exciting lifestyle and possesses breathtaking natural heritage. Here are xx reasons for you to join the other millions of visitors to Vietnam in 2018.

1. Witness the Stunning Nature

One of Vietnam’s most attractive features is its stunning natural heritage. From beautiful beaches to marvelous karst cave, you will be contemplating some of the best works by nature.

• Beautiful Beaches

First on the list are the coastal beauties of Vietnam – the beaches. Unlike its neighbor countries Laos and Cambodia, Vietnam is perfectly situated by the sea and benefits a lot from this. They attract millions of visitors each year and have made a name for themselves worldwide.

Some of the most popular beaches among locals and visitors these days are Bai Dai (Long Beach), Ong (Cu Lao Cham), Hon Mun Island, My Khe, among many others. For instance, while My Khe beach was named one of the best beaches in the world by Forbes, Ong beach was recognized as one of the World’s Biosphere Rerserves by UNESCO due to its diverse and well-preserved coral reef ecosystem.

As a result, do not forget to squeeze in your travel plan a trip to the beach while in Vietnam.

• Mesmerizing Lakes

On the other hand, Vietnamese lakes are less known by foreign visitors despite its relaxing charm. Among them are the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, located in the 1000-year old city of Hanoi, the popular West Lake, mystical Ba Be Lake (Bac Kan Province), and the majestic Thac Ba Lake.

Guess what, these hidden gems are waiting to be explored by you.

• Majestic National Parks

You will never truly experience Vietnam until you have seen the national parks. Located in the tropical-temperate zone, Vietnam has a majestic natural reserve and is ready to share it with foreign visitors.  As a result, one of the top destinations in your travel plan should be Vietnam National Parks.

National parks in Vietnam are also the ideal place for wildlife discovery beside nature exploration. Expect some of the most exquisite scenery and make sure you bring your camera with you.

Some of the most well-known national parks are Cuc Phuong (Ninh Binh Province), Pu Mat (Nghe An), Tra Su Cajuput Forest, Nam Cat Tien. Additionally, you may have heard of the prominent Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. However, it is on both locals and visitors bucket list so get in line!

Bonus: Although the final piece of puzzle is more of an artificial work by locals, it does immensely contribute to the charm of Vietnam and deserves an honorable mention: the incredible terrace fields.

Seriously, visiting the iconic terrace fields is a quintessential experience in Vietnam. Regarding where to visit, you can check out some of them out in Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, Y Ty, which all locate in Northern Vietnam.

2. Immerse in the Fascinating Culinary Experience

Rejoice food lovers! If you are eager to experience different world cuisine, you will never want to miss out on Vietnamese mouthwatering dishes. In a few words, Vietnamese cuisine can be described as a harmonious blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice.

• Traditional & Local Cuisine

The first thing that you would want to experience is the traditional dishes. In Vietnam, each region has its own famous specialties and way of cooking.

For instance, Hue is famous for its Bún Bò Huế (Hue’s Beef Noodle), Cơm Hến (Rice & Mussels), Bánh Bột Lọc (Tapioca Dumpling), while the capital of Hanoi is well known for its Phở Bò (Hanoi’s Beed Noodle), Cá Kho Tộ (Fish Simmered in Caramel Sauce), Bún Thang (Vermicelli in Chicken & Shrimp Broth). There are many more delicious Vietnamese dishes, so don’t just rely on any guide – experience it in real life instead!

However, you can definitely find decent local dishes of other regions in the city that you are in.

• Invigorating Beverage Culture

Upon arriving to Vietnam, you will realize that Vietnamese people are very fond of three drinks in particular: tea & coffee.

Let’s start with tea. Tea is an important part of the Vietnamese culture due to its historic background and influence from the Chinese culture. As a result, there is almost always a teapot ready in each household to either welcome guests or for family members to enjoy among themselves. Usually, traditional tea in Vietnam is sourced from Cao Nguyen (the Highland in Northern Vietnam).

Next up is coffee. Coffee culture is very strong in Vietnam, especially among the working population and men; A typical Vietnamese person would usually enjoy traditional black/brown coffee with their friends in the morning before work. Regardless of the time of the day, family-owned coffee shops are always serving some customers, especially in Hanoi. https://www.exoticvoyages.com/vietnam-tours/

• Exciting Street Food

One of the best things about travelling to Vietnam is experience the unique street food. Once in Vietnam, you will not be able to resist the temptation to try out every delicious goodies displayed throughout every street.

From teens’ favorite Nem Chua Rán (deep-fried fermented pork roll) to everyone’s favorite Tào Phớ (soft soy bean curd), you will never want to leave Vietnam without bring every single one of these delicacies with you.

Don’t be so surprised if so many visitors are more excited about Vietnamese food tours than a typical city tour; It is because they truly allows you to experience the best of the best in a culinary country like Vietnam.

3. Get a Feel of the Authentic Southeast Asian Lifestyle

If you are eager to experience life in a Southeast Asia country, Vietnam is without a doubt the ideal place to do it. Everything is very convenient in Vietnam, the people are friendly, the food is nice, the government are doing their best to support touristic activities (so that benefits you), and you always get the best bang for your buck.

• Everything is a Bargain

What does it feel like to live in a Southeast Asian country? It’s hot but everything is a bargain. Vietnam is an incredibly cost-effective place to visit. You can easily afford four and five star hotels and services for a fraction of the price at home. You also won’t be breaking your budget even if you jump on a cab every 2-minute in the city.

This makes it the perfect place to explore new things while always feeling safe and comfortable. Finally, it makes it easy for you to extend your stay if you’re falling too deeply in love with Vietnam.

• Visitor-Friendly Destination

Vietnam is one of those places where you will feel like it was made for travelers. As the country has become increasingly dependent on the tourist industry, the Vietnamese government is enforcing regulations and strengthening its supervision over the sector to ensure a smooth and safe journey for you guys.  Additionally, as Vietnamese people are used to welcoming foreign visitor, English is now widely spoken in every tourist areas, at famous sites, and in the cities. Finally, most places are one-stop-shops where you can book everything you need for your travel.

• Your Best Family Host

The people in Vietnam are some of the most accommodating and friendliest in the world. You’ll be greeted with a smile, and people will go out of their way to help you during your journey. At the same time, locals are usually very curious about where you come from so do expect to be bombarded with questions about your hometown. Also, don’t be surprised when people bend over backwards to show you the right way if you get lost. Vietnamese people genuinely welcome visitors and we make sure you enjoy your stay here.