Where in Vietnam. Thailand or Vietnam: comparison, where is better to go, reviews. Finding cheap flights

Vietnam is remarkable beautiful nature, ancient temple complexes and quality hotels with good service and low prices. The capital Hanoi and the bustling Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay and the resort of Phan Thiet - all about Vietnam: weather, reviews, tours and maps.

Tours for the New Year to Vietnam
Last minute tours Worldwide

There is an opinion that Vietnam is the same as Thailand, only more natural, not so “captured” by tourists. In fact, these are two completely different countries, each with its own tricks, and in Thailand there are quite wild places, and in Vietnam - resorts with the most advanced infrastructure. The real Vietnam is ancient temple complexes of bygone civilizations and natural beauty national parks, healthy and delicious food, the cheapest diving in the world and resorts with a distinct European flair: a former French colony, after all. In addition, here you can have plenty of nostalgia for the recent social past: the flag is almost like our former one, and there are pioneers in ties, and even the leader in the mausoleum.

If Vietnam were to magically suddenly be closer to Central Russia, the tourist flow to this country would certainly increase many times over. Indeed, among the tangible disadvantages of this direction is only a long and, therefore, expensive flight. Everything else is a complete plus: an unusual and exciting “excursion”, beautiful beaches with ample opportunities for active rest, extensive and high-quality hotel base, low prices in hotels, restaurants, and excursions.

Regions and resorts of Vietnam

For convenience, Vietnam can be divided into three large regions: North, South and Center. Northern Vietnam- the most ancient part countries with many attractions, tea and coffee plantations, nature reserves and Hanoi - the capital, where West and East surprisingly mix. The best time to relax is spring.

Central Vietnam is famous for its long beaches, pleasant climate almost all year round beautiful views, the parties of Danang and the ancient temples of Hue.

The South is the heart of the economy. The largest city of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, is located here, and in it - expensive hotels, best restaurants, numerous shops and other amenities of civilization. The main resorts in the south are luxurious Phu Quoc, youthful Nha Trang and calmer Phan Thiet. Read more about tourist geography countries are described on the page “Cities and resorts of Vietnam”.

Time difference from Moscow

4 hours

with Kaliningrad

with Samara

with Yekaterinburg

with Omsk

with Krasnoyarsk

with Irkutsk

with Yakutsk

with Vladivostok

from Severo-Kurilsk

with Kamchatka

Climate

About a third of Vietnam is located at 500 m above the sea, so the climate there is subtropical, and in areas above 2000 m it is even temperate. From April-May to October, the southeast monsoons bring warm and humid weather to the country - except in areas protected by mountains.

In the south of Vietnam (from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet) two seasons can be distinguished - wet and dry. The first traditionally lasts from May to November, the rainiest months are June-August. The second usually starts in December and ends in April. This is the most favorable time for European tourists. “Velvet” months are January and February: soft sun, refreshing sea water. From the end of February to May there are hot days without rain.

The best time to visit Vietnam is when rain is least likely: from April-May to October-November.

Climate of Central Vietnam (from the resort of Nha Trang to ancient capital Hue): from February to August - clear, rain is rare, temperature +30...+35 °C. In mid-December there are heavy rains, in October-November typhoons are possible in the area of Danang and Hue, temperature +20...+28 °C.

In the north of the country (from Hanoi to seaside resort Ha Long) winter and summer seasons are more clearly defined than in the south. Winter, cool and wet, lasts from November to February, with constant drizzling rain "fung" in February and March. The summer season begins abruptly in May: high humidity, temperatures up to +40 °C.

Visa and customs

Russian citizens arriving in Vietnam for up to 15 days do not require a visa, provided that during this time they do not leave the country, and on the island of Phu Quoc you can vacation without a visa for up to 30 days. But in both cases, it is worth taking out a health insurance policy in advance for the entire duration of the trip.

Is a hotel reservation an invitation when applying for a visa to Vietnam?

How to get to Vietnam

From St. Petersburg you can get to Vietnam only with a transfer in Moscow, Europe or Asia, but from Vladivostok to Hanoi you can fly directly with Vladivostok Air (1 flight every 2 weeks).

Two low-cost airlines fly from China, Laos and Cambodia to Vietnam at once - Air Asia and VietJet Air.

Two daily trains run between China and Vietnam: Beijing - Hanoi (from 304 USD, travel time - 37 hours) and Nanning - Hanoi (from 37 USD in a double compartment, travel time - 11.5 hours). Both trains leave China in the evening and arrive in Hanoi in the morning. Prices on the page are for April 2019.

Search for flights to Vietnam

Transport

Internal flights are ideal for moving between cities scattered across Vietnam. Prices are low, with tickets starting from VND 900,000. You can also travel by train, they are quite convenient. It takes about 30 hours to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, during which time the whole country will fly past your windows. Buses are the most a budget option trips around Vietnam, but it is better to use them over short distances, otherwise you will waste too much time.

Maps of Vietnam

Car and moped rental in Vietnam

Those accustomed to renting a car in distant countries should think about it - traffic in Vietnam it is poorly organized, the rules are rarely followed, and getting lost in signs and junctions is a piece of cake. In addition, to drive independently, you will have to obtain a local driver's license, and they are issued only if you have a visa for 3 months or more. The solution may be to rent a car with a local driver.

But you don’t need a license to rent a bicycle or moped. But this option is suitable for small resorts with low traffic; it’s better not to mention riding a moped around Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City without decent driving skills in Southeast Asia.

What documents are required to rent a car in Vietnam?

Communications and Wi-Fi

Tourists rarely complain about mobile communications in Vietnam. It is inexpensive and covers almost the entire country, including small towns and villages. Local calls cost from 1,700 VND per minute, a nice bonus - there is no roaming in Vietnam, you can use one SIM card in any city, a call to Russia will cost from 3,000 VND per minute.

Everything is good in Vietnam and with the Internet, especially in large cities. Mobile Internet It is often faster and more convenient than hotel Wi-Fi, but it must be connected separately; details are on the SIM card packaging. The speed and tariffs of the operators are approximately the same, which eliminates the pain of choice. Free Wi-Fi is available in almost all hotels and restaurants.

Vietnam hotels

In the major cities of Vietnam, the choice of hotels is very diverse - from mini-hotels to luxury establishments. Their service is, in general, at the average European level. Type of meals - breakfast (most) or half board; the all-inclusive system is practically never found here. The buffet is extremely varied. All rooms from 3 to 5 stars are equipped with air conditioning, TV with satellite channels and a telephone; more expensive options also include bathrobes, a hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, safes and minibars.

Accommodation prices remain at approximately the same level throughout the year. A night in a luxury hotel in Hanoi will cost from 1,850,000 VND per day for a double room, in a four-star hotel - from 740,000 VND, in a good three-room apartment - from 200,000 VND, and an overnight stay in a hostel will cost from 80,000 VND per day per person.

Mains voltage 220 V, frequency 50 Hz. Plugs generally have flat connectors. The rooms in many hotels are equipped with universal sockets, which will accept plugs of almost any configuration. If necessary, the hotel staff will find the required adapter.

Money

The country's currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND), 1 dong is divided into 10 hao or 100 sou. Current rate: 1000 VND = 2.68 RUB (1 USD = 23145.34 VND, 1 EUR = 25825.69 VND).

It is better to travel to Vietnam with dollars and euros; the dollar exchange rate is slightly more favorable, but for small amounts the difference is insignificant. Rubles are rarely accepted and little is given for them. Currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, jewelry stores, travel agency offices, markets and even at airports - the rate is approximately the same everywhere, there are practically no extortionate markups. But street money changers can deceive and instead of 100,000 VND give out 10,000 VND in the hope that the tourist will not notice the difference.

Note to the paranoid: Vietnamese dong bills are made of thin plastic, it hardly wrinkles and is not afraid of sea water. You can safely swim with a “cutlet” in the secret pocket of your swimming trunks.

How to avoid problems

Vietnam is one of the most safe places in Asia, but even here you should be wary of pickpockets and scammers. The latter can be found in a variety of places - a fraudster may be an officer at the border demanding money for a free visa, an unfortunate pedestrian who suddenly materializes under the wheels of a bike with a tourist at the wheel, unscrupulous hoteliers and sellers.

As for everyday life, you should not drink tap water, it is better not to order drinks with ice in small cafes, not to indulge in unusual food and fruits at the beginning of the trip, and to control yourself in the presence of alcohol.

What other troubles can happen in Vietnam, how not to turn your body into a complete crimson fire, where to change money and buy a SIM card, how not to lose the favor of the local residents, and also where to run and call in case of trouble, is described in the article “How avoid problems in Vietnam."

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Beaches of Vietnam

Vietnam stretches from north to south along the shores of the South China Sea - there are incredibly many beautiful beaches in the country. Some have popular resorts and vibrant nightlife, others are ideal for extreme recreation- surfing, kiting or diving, and still others are magnificent in their wildness and desolation. Almost all beaches in Vietnam are sandy, but in some places there is a pebble surface.

Within the boundaries of cities and resorts, most beaches are municipal, with free entry, changing cabins, showers and washbasins, the sand is regularly cleaned here and garbage is removed, and umbrellas and sunbeds will cost a ridiculous 320,000-60,000 VND per day (you need to bargain). The pages “Beach Holidays in Vietnam” and “Beaches of Vietnam” will help you choose your strip of soft sand and gentle sea.

Where in Vietnam you can combine a beach and sightseeing holiday
Which resort in Vietnam is best for windsurfing?

Diving

Diving in Vietnam is one of the cheapest in the world. At the same time, it is really interesting and organized at a quite decent level. There are many interesting dive sites off the coast of the country. The best in this regard are Nha Trang, Hoi An, the islands of Con Dao and Phu Quoc. In addition to a wide variety of corals, you can see all kinds of mollusks, cuttlefish, octopus, squid, clown fish, moray eels, puffer fish, groupers, manta rays and barracudas.

The most suitable time for diving is from October to April. The best season for diving in Nha Trang is February-October, and on Phu Quoc Island - from November to May. There are famous diving spots near Nha Trang: Muren Beach, Rainbow Coral Reef and many islands near the resort.

The Con Dao Archipelago National Reserve consists of 14 islands and is located 300 km from coastline. There you can find very rare mammals - dugongs (sea cows), large green turtles and many endemics - animals and plants that live nowhere else.

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Beautiful Vietnam

Shopping

Cuisine and restaurants of Vietnam

The best photos of Vietnam

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All photos of Vietnam

Legends and stories of Vietnam

There you are short excursion into the tangled history of the Vietnamese people. More than three thousand years BC, the dragon king Lac Long Quan ruled the lands of what is now Vietnam. Once, puzzled by the continuation of the family, he decided to ask the fairy bird Au Ko for his hand in marriage. The beauty was not slow to accept the offer and, on time, gave birth... a bag in which 100 eggs were found, and from each came one heir-progenitor of 100 Vietnamese families. Whether the lady hatched the offspring or placed the offspring in an incubator - history is silent, but since then every self-respecting Vietnamese speaks of himself as “the child of the dragon, the grandson of the gods.” The end of the story is very modern: after some time the couple separated - Lac Long Quan chopped off half of their sons and went to sea with them, and Au Ko took the remaining fifty and went to live in the mountains. As Lev Nikolaevich correctly noted about happy and unhappy families!

To understand the secret of Vietnam's charm, look at any house in a small Vietnamese town. Here it stands, with a narrow, literally 3-4 meters, facade, stretched away from the road (the fact is that families here are allocated not an area for houses, but a square footage along the street, and a very small one), two- or three-story. The façade is very elegant, even, perhaps, somewhat motley; the double doors span its full width and are hospitably open. Above the entrance, evoking vague memories of the “Twentieth Congress of the CPSU,” flaunts a red flag with a gold star in the center. On the floor above there is a small altar with a dark bronze Buddha dozing, surrounded by smoking incense. And at the very top, on a tiny balcony, entwined with something with small pink flowers, the marble-white Virgin Mary humbly bows her head.

Guides in Vietnam

Entertainment and attractions

Vietnam is ready to delight guests with a variety of diverse entertainment: from elephant riding, visits to snake restaurants with crocodile sanctuaries, national parks and fishing to casinos and nightclubs. The highlight of the country's excursion program is considered to be the Ku Chi guerrilla tunnels, but besides them, there are more than enough attractions here.

Hi all! Why Nha Trang, you ask? And because Nha Trang is not only the most popular resort in Vietnam among Russian-speaking travelers, but also because this city has a very successful geographical location. All the main attractions can be reached on your own within one day.

We visited Vietnam three times, first on a tour package, and then we went to Vietnam twice on our own. We drove through almost the entire country from the very south and almost to the north. We were in Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue. In this article we will share all the necessary information that we managed to find out and verify in practice ourselves.

We go to Nha Trang on our own

What is better, take a ticket or go on your own to Nha Trang?

In the current situation, when travel agencies are bursting one after another, the safest thing to do is to organize your holiday yourself. For the first time, we went to Vietnam on a 7-day package and paid about 25 thousand rubles per person. Now I understand that we didn’t get to know the country at all in such a short period of time.

The second time we decided to go to Vietnam on our own and for more long term. We saw and learned a lot more about Vietnam, while our expenses amounted to approximately $800 per month. But this amount does not include air tickets, since we came from Cambodia and went to Laos. It turns out that if you fly on short term 7-14 days, then it will be more profitable to take a ticket, since air tickets from Russia and back are not cheap. But then there remains the risk of bankruptcy of your travel agency.

Holidays in Vietnam as a savage. All beaches are public and free

To Vietnam without a trip? Easily!

So, if you decide to go to Nha Trang on your own, then read on carefully, I will briefly tell you all the main details of organizing a trip as a wild person. I won’t talk too much about the benefits. independent travel, I will write only the main points that you should pay attention to. All of the recommendations below are based on our own experiences living and traveling in Vietnam. We traveled half the country by bus, flew on planes with local airlines, took a taxi, lived in Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, and saw Dalat, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue.

Standard solo travel plan:

Find free time for the trip
Buy air tickets
To book a hotel
Get insurance
Exchange money
Go away and enjoy your vacation

In principle, any of these points can be excluded. Even everything is possible. If you have remote work, then you don’t have to find free time; you can work via the Internet, which is available in every hotel in Vietnam. You don’t have to buy air tickets, but go by land transport or hitchhike - an option for seasoned travelers who have a lot of time. It is also not necessary to book hotels; you can always find something on the spot if it is a tourist city.

Whether travel insurance is needed, let everyone decide for themselves whether it’s worth the risk. But having insurance is not a requirement to enter this country. Money can be kept on a card, withdrawn from ATMs or paid in stores.

Something like this. See for yourself what can be excluded, and in the meantime I’ll write in more detail about all the nuances of an independent trip to Nha Trang.

An independent trip to Vietnam may be more interesting than a package tour

Where to buy air tickets

We buy online - it’s the most profitable and easiest way

Now the life of travelers has become much simpler. You no longer need to knock on the doorsteps of some agencies or ticket offices. Nowadays it’s enough just to go to online ticket search engines, for example, Aviasales, find the most convenient flights and buy e-ticket, having paid by bank card. It is not necessary to print out such a ticket; at the airport counter, registration is carried out using your passport. Just in case, you can take a photo route receipt to the tablet.

Ticket search sites:

Aviasales

Skyscanner

Search these sites or use the following form to search for air tickets for the dates you need:

How to book a hotel in Nha Trang yourself

Hotels and guesthouses in Nha Trang are literally at every turn. From $10-15 per night you can find a small but more or less decent room. A spacious room in a good 3-4 star hotel with a swimming pool and breakfast will cost at least $30-40 per night.

To independently book a hotel in Nha Trang via the Internet, you do not need to look for hotel websites. Everything is very simple here too. We go to a hotel search engine (for example, Booking) and book using a bank card.

Payment will be made directly at the hotel, and your card acts as a guarantee that you have booked a room and will arrive on the appointed day. Reservations can be canceled or dates changed if booked in advance. It is no longer possible to cancel your reservation 1-2 days before arrival.

Look for hotels on these sites:

Booking.com →

Agoda.com →

Airbnb.com →

In Vietnam, hotel prices are lower than the Asian average. For $10-12 per night you will have a small, clean room with air conditioning, TV and refrigerator, perhaps even with a balcony and sea view. See our selection -. When renting for a long time, you can try to negotiate with the owners and get a discount. But even without a discount in Nha Trang you can rent a hotel room for a month for 300-350 dollars.

In Nha Trang you can rent an apartment for daily rent. To search for housing, use search engine Booking.

Renting housing in Nha Trang costs on average $300-400 per month

Insurance to Vietnam

An insurance policy can now also be easily issued via the Internet. Cost from 500 rubles per week. To obtain insurance, go to insurance search site Cherehapa. There, simply enter your travel dates and country, click calculate. The system will show the cost of insurance in various insurance companies. Choose the best price and then click “Buy”. You can also order insurance through the services Compare.ru And Tripinsurance.

If you are going to drive a moped, ride a jet ski, fly with a parachute, etc., choose the type of recreation - active. Please also note that no insurance is valid if you are intoxicated!

Whether to take out insurance or not is up to you. But it’s better to do it, it will be calmer. In our last article, we already discussed with readers whether insurance is needed, read it.

Visa to Vietnam

Russians have 15 days without a visa. That is, they simply arrived, went through passport control and received a stamp for 15 days. You don't even need to fill out any immigration cards.

Ukrainians, Belarusians and residents of other CIS countries need a visa. Read on the Internet about this topic.

IMPORTANT! If you leave Vietnam on your own for another country (Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, etc.), you cannot return without a visa. You won't be allowed on the plane! This is because a new 15-day stamp can only be issued in a month.

What to do? Order an invitation or apply for a visa at the Vietnamese consulate in another country. Read more.

What money to take to Vietnam and how much?

Dollars, euros, Asian currencies (Hong Kong and Singapore dollars, ringgits, Thai baht, yuan, rupees). Don’t bring rubles or hryvnias; changing them will be difficult and not profitable. If only on the map.

The currency of Vietnam is dong (VND). All calculations are carried out only in dong. In rare cases, hotels, travel agencies or travel shops may accept dollars. But according to the law, this cannot be done.

In Nha Trang itself, you can exchange dollars for dongs at any bank or street exchange office. Never change money from random people on the street, on the beach, in the market (scam).

I won’t write the exchange rate to the ruble in the article now, it is constantly changing. See the currency converter on the right for the current exchange rate. The exchange rate of dong to dollar is 1$ = 23,000 dong. For ease of calculation, consider that a dollar is equal to 20 thousand dong.

Prices in Nha Trang are quite low. The main expense items are flights, accommodation and excursions. Food per day can cost an average of 15-20 dollars per person, depending on where and what to eat, in simple cafes or in restaurants for tourists.

Money in Vietnam

Getting around the country, buses, trains, taxis

Public transport in Nha Trang, and throughout Vietnam, is well developed. There are no problems with getting around in Nha Trang. Small buses run around the city, the fare is 7,000 dong. There are several routes, so in Nha Trang you can easily get to anywhere in the city on your own.

Also in Nha Chang, taxi drivers are on duty 24 hours a day in modern air-conditioned cars. Grab taxi and Uber apps work. Can order a taxi online. There are no usual Asian tuk-tuks in Vietnam, but you can use the services of motorbike taxi drivers.

Taxi in Nha Trang
City bus in Nha Trang
Vietnam long distance sleeper bass

Excursions in Nha Trang are sold at every turn

You can also go on almost all excursions on your own. There are many travel agencies with Russian-speaking employees on the central streets of Nha Trang. The most famous is the Russian Information Center. There you can order any excursions, buy a SIM card, change money or just get advice.

Now I will not describe in detail what to see in Nha Trang. The main attraction of Nha Trang is, perhaps, the island of entertainment - Winpearl. Excursions are sold to it, but you can easily go on your own. There are also several in the city itself interesting places, which you can easily watch on your own:

Also from Nha Trang, tourists go on excursions to neighboring cities— Dalat, Hoi An, Hue. If you plan to explore everything in Nha Trang on your own without guides and excursions, then you can also easily get there on your own. For example, you can get to Dalat from Nha Trang by bus in just 2-3 hours, which is half the price of paying for a tour. Can be ordered private transfer Nha Trang - Dalat. It will take longer to travel to Hoi An and Hue and you will have to spend the night in a sleeper bus. If you go in this direction, be sure to take 1-2 days to explore, which is located just between Hoi An and Hue.

Famous tree hotel in Dalat
You can also see the temples in Hoi An on your own without a tour.
Self-guided tour to Hue
Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang. Come and see for yourself

The language of communication

IN tourist cities- English. In the wilderness - sign language.

In Nha Trang in all tourist areas we didn't have any problems with communication. In places where there are large concentrations of foreigners - Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Sapa - all locals speak English fluently. If you know English, there will be no language barrier. In souvenir markets, massage parlors, travel agencies and tourist shops they can even communicate in Russian. The farther from tourist places, the more difficult it is with the language. In the wilderness, no one understands English. And not only in the wilderness, for example, we had difficulties communicating even in and out, we had to communicate with gestures.

In markets for locals, communication most often occurs only by gestures

What to eat

Nha Trang has a lot of cafes and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. All tourists in Vietnam rely on cheap seafood (lobsters, shrimp, mussels, fish) and exotics - snakes, lizards, frogs. Directly in Nha Trang there are several Russian restaurants where you can eat familiar dishes - borscht, potatoes with cutlets and dumplings.

If you want to save money, then do not hesitate to eat in a cafe for locals. They don’t look very presentable, but the prices there are 3-4 times cheaper. Many travelers eat in these eateries with small plastic chairs.

Morning beach in Nha Trang

Security in Vietnam

While living in Vietnam, we noted that the country is quite safe to live in. The Vietnamese are not aggressive. The main thing is to follow standard precautions:

There are cases described on the Internet where motorcyclists snatch bags from tourists, so do not carry any valuables or money with you to the beach. It will be safer to take a small backpack and put it on both shoulders.
Theft in hotels, as in any country in the world, is possible. To minimize risks, just do not leave money, valuables, phone, tablet in sight and everything will be fine.
Do not show hotel staff or hosts large sums of money, jewelry or other valuables. Just in case. Applicable to any country.
In case of conflict situations, you should not raise your voice at the Vietnamese or engage in physical assault, as the police will always be on the side of the locals.
Don’t walk alone at night in dark deserted alleys, using your iPhone to light the way. Most likely nothing will happen to you, but it’s better not to risk it.
Are there insects, spiders, snakes, predators in Nha Trang? Currently, there are no dangerous insects, snakes, and especially predators in cities. Of course, no one is safe from mosquitoes and cockroaches, including large flying ones, but they are not dangerous and are rare.

Rent a bike in Vietnam

Renting a scooter to travel around Vietnam on your own costs about $5-10 per day. International driving licenses do not apply in Vietnam, but tourists are secretly allowed to drive a moped without a license. The main thing is to wear a helmet and follow the rules. Do not leave your passport as collateral; look for rental companies that will agree to a photocopy. Do not drink alcohol, otherwise your insurance will not be valid in the event of an accident.

Storm in Nha Trang

Useful links for organizing an independent trip

A selection of links for more information:

Flights to Vietnam- search and purchase of air tickets
Hotel rentals in Nha Trang from $8 or in any other city
Find an apartment or room for rent for a long time
Taking out travel insurance- in this section you can find out the cost and order an insurance policy
- a useful article about visas, our experience.
Transfers and taxis- online taxi order in Nha Trang

From the breathtaking beauty of the Sapa rice valley in the north of Vietnam, to the densely populated Mekong Delta in the south, Vietnam is a land of amazing natural beauty and a destination rich in attractions that tempt both budget tourists and those on a budget.

One of the largest military conflicts of the second half of the 20th century, the Vietnam War left a visible mark on the culture of the country. The French and Americans “marked” themselves on the face of Vietnam, and some of the marks can be considered ugly scars. However, today Vietnam is a country of stunning and diverse geography, delicious cuisine and secluded beaches. This is a great place for travelers and an excellent choice for your next vacation.

Enterprising Vietnam has been welcoming and entertaining foreign tourists for the past ten years or more, quickly creating and developing new opportunities and places for tourists to park their dollars.

Many “non-package” travelers begin their vacation in the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, where internet cafes and trendy, mysterious French-style cafes filled with cute local teenagers rub shoulders with traditional shops and historic houses.

Their Hanoi tourists tend to head towards the bay shore Ha Long, to its luxurious limestone cliffs and small paradise islands.

If you are determined to visit more than one city in Vietnam and if you have time, jump on a train or take a bus - you will definitely not regret this trip. If the coastal zones impress with their natural beauty, then the consequences of the American war in the central region of the country will “sober” the eyes that have become clouded after all this luxury of a prosperous country. And this is also very interesting!

District Hue offers a glimpse into the past, while the incredibly popular Hoi An- a great place for shopping for mere pennies, as well as a city where you can enjoy all the delights of traditional cuisine.

The most tireless travelers will want to go further south again and visit the mountainous region Central Highlands Mountains, where ethnic minorities live their usual lives in their small settlements, and they do not always live in complete harmony with the central government. But oh well.

A trip to Vietnam isn't complete without a stop at one of the luxurious beaches, where you can go surfing or parasailing, or just lie in the sun, sunbathe and sip cocktails.

Nha Trang and Mui Ne, perhaps, the most popular resorts among our compatriots - there are both budget places for backpackers and wonderful luxury hotels for those who like everything to be included.

The southern "capital" of the country and the most Big city, Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon)- a pulsating metropolis with mesmerizing traffic and interesting sights.

Cities south of Ho Chi Minh City in the Mekong Delta, offers special destinations for the intrepid traveler. And it’s better to avoid excursions offered by agencies and explore this part of the country on your own. With a good camera.

Phu Quoc Island- another wonderful place, with snow-white beaches, washed by turquoise waters, rich in marine life and coral reefs. Absolutely a piece of paradise!

In short, Vietnam today is affordable holiday. Many airlines will take you to this area for relatively little money, and to say that in Vietnam, in principle, everything is not very expensive, I don’t think it’s even worth it. For those who want to get a taste of this rapidly developing, picturesque country that used to be forbidden fruit, welcome!

We define best time For beach holiday in Vietnam! When does the rainy season end and the ideal time for a seaside holiday begins? When do tropical fruits ripen? Check out our weather overview by month and choose the best time to travel.

Vietnam's climate is influenced by monsoons and varies significantly regionally. Such differences are due to the mountainous landscape and the large extent of the country's territory. Southern Vietnam is characterized by a tropical climate with relatively even average monthly temperatures, while northern and central Vietnam has a subtropical climate with cool winters and rainy, hot summers. In the mountains in winter there can be frost and snow.

Rainy season in Vietnam

The wet season in the regions of the republic occurs in different months. On south(which includes the main resorts - Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc, Vung Tau) it begins in May and lasts until November. At this time, the humidity is very high, and short-term tropical downpours occur. There are cloudy, cool and fresh days with gusty winds. The average temperature is about +27°C. For the shortest rainy season. Tourists usually avoid traveling to Vietnam during the rainy season, but some travelers believe that tropical rains are no big deal and come to the country during this time.

IN center In Vietnam, the rainy season lasts from December to April. At this time, we do not recommend visiting the resorts of Danang, Hue and Hoi An. We just spent December 2014 and early January 2015 in these cities. The rains, although short-lived, are frequent, and quite cool (not +25°C at all, as they usually write, but, it feels like, about +10...+15°C). The hotels do not have central heating, so the rooms are cold and you can easily catch a cold. It is very humid, clothes and shoes do not dry. We recommend having strong raincoats. It is impossible to swim because the ocean is stormy, and red flags are hung on the beaches. True, sometimes there are sunny days (or at least cloudy, but without precipitation), when you can see the sights. The resort where the most precipitation falls, according to our observations, is Hue.

On a note: during the wet season there may be typhoons (usually in the center of the country, less often in the south and north). From the second half of October to the second half of December, Danang and Hue fall under their destructive effects.

On north The country's wet season lasts from April to November. However, it sometimes rains in winter: we were there in January 2015, and, as in the case of the center of Vietnam, we would not recommend visiting the region without warm clothes, suitable shoes and raincoats. It's cold in Hanoi, temperature +10...+20°C. In Halong the situation is better: it is almost always sunny, but in the mornings and evenings it is quite cool.

Beach season

The beach holiday season in the south of Vietnam falls in the winter-spring period ( December - April) - this is the best time to fly on vacation. During these months there are many visitors from Russia, China, Europe and the USA, weather lovely, but prices are rising. In spring, dry and warm weather sets in along the entire coast. May - June is the most comfortable time to relax in the central part of Vietnam.

Weather by month in Vietnam

December

It is cool in the north, warm and rainy in the center, clear and dry in the south. In the south +30°C during the day, +22°C at night, water +27°C. In Danang +24°C, the sea is also +24°C. It is stormy in Nha Trang, especially in the first half of December, +28°C during the day, +21°C at night, water temperature +24°C. In Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City it is warm and sunny +31°C during the day, +22...+24°C at night, the sea in Mui Ne, Phan Thiet and Phu Quoc +26...+28°C. It is better to meet at these southern resorts.

January February

In the north of the country it is cool +19°C during the day, +14°C at night. It is moderately warm in the center: in Danang and Hoi An during the day +23...+25°С, precipitation is less intense, the sea is pleasant +23°С. The season is in the south of Vietnam, the best: dry and clear +32...+34°C during the day, sea +28°C. An excellent beach holiday in Fukuoka, where during the day it is +30°C, the sea is +28°C. In February, dry, sunny weather sets in throughout the country.

March, April

March and April are the best months to go on vacation to Vietnam. In March, tropical heat comes to the southern and central regions. This is a great time for beach and sports holidays. In Mui Ne and Phan Thiet +34°C during the day, at night +24°C, water +28°C. In Nha Trang the air temperature is a couple of degrees lower. In Fukuoka it is hotter at night +27°C, +32°C during the day, sea +29°C. The northern coast is traditionally colder, but at the end of April you can swim there: during the day +23...+25°С, sea +23°С.

May

The rainy season begins in the south and north of Vietnam. At the beginning of the month they fall mainly at night, so some opportunities for beach holidays and excursions remain. In Hanoi during the day +31°C, at night +25°C. In Nha Trang during the day +32°C, at night +24°C, water +28°C. In Fukuoka during the day +35°C, at night +25°C, water +29°C.

June August

The rainy season is in full swing in the south and north of the country, daytime temperatures are +32...+34°C, hot, humid and stuffy. The summer months are the best time to relax in the center of Vietnam: Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue and Hoi An, where it is relatively dry. At the end of August the rains reach and central regions countries.

September October

In the north of the country, the rainy season is ending, in the south there are short-term rains, in the center there are heavy downpours, there may be hurricanes and floods. Sea water +27°C. In Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet and Nha Trang +32...+33°С during the day, +24°С at night, in Phu Quoc +30°С during the day and +25°С at night. In October, weather conditions noticeably worsen, it becomes colder by several degrees, it rains every day, the sea is stormy, and hurricanes rage in the center of the country. In Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An, this is the wettest month, with humidity reaching 80% and flooding often occurring.

Fruit season in Vietnam

Even Vietnam can envy the abundance of fruits. Mango and jackfruit season starts in March and lasts until summer. Avocados, rambutans and lychees appear in April, and mangosteens appear in early summer. Citrons and cherimoya ripen in June, tropical plums in July, and persimmons appear in August. The season of these fruits is not very long - only 3-4 months, and they can be found on sale until the end of the calendar autumn.

In November, the first winter fruits appear - local tangerines, in December - star apples (starapple). Durians also appear in January, but the season of these exotic fruits is much longer and lasts until October. The most delicious longan ripens from May to July, but you can buy it at any time of the year.

From our own experience we can say that Vietnam is the fruitiest country South-East Asia. It seems that fruit season in Vietnam is all year round: oranges, pineapples, pomelo, watermelon, melons, bananas, grapes, papaya, sapodilla, guava, pomelo, coconut, dragonfruit - there is no shortage of fruits here, we always found them everywhere, moreover By low prices(except that in the north of the country prices are higher, and the cheapest fruit is in the south). We have a special article dedicated to them - we described them, collected their names in Vietnamese and Thai and gave prices and harvest seasons.

(Photo © John Loo / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)

Until recently, many people associated Vietnam with total poverty and did not arouse much interest among tourists. But today everything has changed - the country is considered one of the most popular resorts peace. And all because there are warm tropics, an unforgettable Asian flavor and an affordable price policy for tour packages. What will a vacation in Vietnam be memorable for, when and where is the best time to go, how to get there, what entertainment the country can offer to a demanding tourist - we will talk about all this later in the article.

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

During its existence, Vietnam, whose history dates back to the first millennium BC, experienced many attacks on its territorial integrity and charter. He had to survive the times of the French colony, the Japanese occupation and big number wars. And the blind inheritance of the Soviet form of running the national economy led the country to a serious economic crisis. It took years to restore relations with developed countries on the world map, as well as to partially liberalize the economic system and rise from the ashes.

The name "Vietnam" comes from ancient people Viets who lived in the territory modern republic, and from the word “us”, which translated from their language means “southern”.

The territory of the modern state is spread over several climatic zones. That is why it is very important to find out before your trip where and at what time of year it is best to vacation in Vietnam.

Where is it on the map

The republic is located on the Indochina Peninsula, which is located in Southeast Asia. On the western side its neighbors are Cambodia and Laos, on the north the country borders on China people's republic, and from the south and east it is washed by the South China Sea.

The area of the state, the heart of which is the city of Hanoi, reaches about 332 thousand km. More than 93 million people live in the cities and villages of Vietnam. They use the official Vietnamese language and national currency, which is the Vietnamese dong.

How to get there from Moscow

The direct distance between Moscow and Vietnam is 6735 km. And tourists prefer to overcome it exclusively by plane. In this case, the flight lasts about 9–10 hours.

Today, Vietnam is a leading exporter of black pepper and cashew nuts. The republic also ranks second in the export of coffee outside the country. It is characteristic that coffee plants are not indigenous to these areas and were introduced into the state's crop production by French colonists.

The easiest way to get from the capital of Russia to Vietnam is through the main air gate of the republic. These are the airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Due to the strong competition between airlines, tourists in this direction are provided with a large selection of flights at relatively low prices.

If you prefer resorts in the south of Vietnam, then it is best to fly directly to Nha Trang, Danang or Phu Quoc Island. But in this case, be prepared that the ticket price will be significantly more expensive. To save money, many travelers choose flights to the Vietnamese capital, and then take buses to their destination.

To purchase the cheapest tickets, it is better to use search engines that provide comparable prices different airlines and many booking systems (Skyscanner and Aviasales). Practitioners say that in 90% of cases it is possible to save from 300 to 1000 rubles. But remember that on the eve of holidays, as well as on weekends, the cost of flights is much higher than on weekdays.

Consider yourself lucky if you manage to find tickets for the Moscow - Ho Chi Minh City flight at a price of 27 thousand rubles. This is rare, but it is still possible to catch luck by the tail.

More than 40% of Vietnamese people have the popular surname Nguyễn in the country, another 11% have Trần. So you already know half the population of the republic.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations

Vietnam, through the spectrum of tourism, seems to have many faces. It only seems at first glance that, in addition to rice fields and traditional national cuisine noodles, there's nothing interesting there. In fact, the state has a place and activity to suit athletes, seafood lovers, connoisseurs of historical sights, those who prefer exciting adventures and a quiet family holiday, couples with children and fans of exciting water world. But let's talk about all this in order.

For many travelers, Vietnam begins with the capital. Tourists are amazed by the beauty of the local lakes that surround the city, historical monuments of the metropolis and buildings that have been preserved since the imperial era.

There are many places near the heart of Vietnam that every traveler simply must visit. We are talking about one of the famous wonders of the world - Dragon Bay. It is located only 160 km from Hanoi and amazes with its cleanliness, pretty islands that protrude thickly from the emerald water.

Ha Long Bay is also worth seeing. This is an intensively developing resort with hotels, entertainment centers and various boutiques. Perfect place for shopping, entertainment and beach holidays.

The Vietnamese language is characterized by six different tones. Their use radically changes the semantic meaning of words. Therefore, don’t even try to master it yourself.

Among travelers who know everything about Vietnam, this large resort city of Ho Chi Minh City is called the center of entertainment and the water world. Its attractions are considered Botanical Garden, amusement park, “Dai Nam” attractions, zoo, cinema, “Dam Sen” water park. This is one of the best variations family vacation with kids.

For fans of active holidays and athletes, it is best to choose the city of Mui Ne on the map of Vietnam. By the way, here you won’t have to rack your brains trying to understand the language of the indigenous Vietnamese. The fact is that the resort has many Russian-language signs and appropriate service personnel. And in some restaurants they can even offer you borscht and pampushki, traditional for our cuisine.

In Vietnam, it is not customary to completely drink any drink from a cup. Up to 10% of the drink must remain at the bottom.

Kiters and surfers should visit the local bay. Here, for beginning extreme sports enthusiasts, there are special schools for quick training, especially since the prices for the services offered are relatively low. This exotic paradise will be no less interesting for a family with children. For them, beautiful hotels stretch along the entire coast, wide sandy beaches and planting luxurious palms and pine trees.

For those who prefer to enjoy masterpieces of seafood cuisine on vacation, Nha Trang is recommended. The city is located in the most beautiful bay, therefore it constantly attracts tourists with its beautiful scenery and mild climate. This resort will be remembered for its exotic colorful dishes, warm sea, amazing souvenirs, parks, attractions, diving, nightlife and visiting temple complex. The place is suitable for children and adults. Your child will long be delighted with the Vinpearl Land water adventure park on Hon Tre Island, the Chi Nguyen Aquarium (Neptune's Palace), and the oceanarium.

When going on such a long journey, do not forget to stock up on time necessary set medicines and repellents. In Vietnam, tourists often suffer from dangerous insect bites, fumes from poisonous plants, jellyfish burns and the scorching sun, as well as food poisoning, allergies and dirty local water.

Fans of a relaxing holiday should go to Phu Quoc Island. There you will not find the noisy streets of big cities, bright entertainment centers, endless shops, restaurants and cafes. Only the sea, palm trees, sun-drenched beaches, fabulous sunrises and sunsets. And also pearl farms and huge black pepper plantations. Tour operators often recommend this kind of vacation to families with children and elderly travelers, as well as people who are tired of the daily hustle and bustle of the city. But this pleasure costs much more than the above resorts.

Similar experiences await you from a visit to Vung Tau. In this place you can also connect with nature and improve your health. At the resort, it is worth visiting the statue of Jesus Christ. And if according to her spiral staircase If you go upstairs, you will be able to appreciate the panorama of the entire Vietnamese town.

For those who dream of an educational journey and want to immerse themselves in the centuries-old history of Asian peoples, the resort town of Hoi An is very suitable. You will be impressed there Marble Mountains, Hai Van Pass, museums of architecture and sculpture, Cham complex Michon. Ancient traditions You can explore it even just by walking along the local streets. They often contain antique shops and ancient temples.

The Danang resort is the perfect place to get acquainted with local traditions. But its only “disadvantages” are the high pricing policy in relation to tourists and some remoteness resort area from the center. These inconveniences are associated with the industrial and economic direction of the city.

In crowded places in Vietnamese resort towns and especially in the capital, tourists should be on alert. Very often, local entrepreneurs, spoiled by the constant flow of wealthy travelers, deceive and shortchange their customers. There are also very often cases when the price of a product is significantly inflated. Therefore, before purchasing anything in Vietnam, study the market and never leave your belongings unattended.

Weather in Vietnam: when is the best time to travel?

If you are choosing where to go on vacation in Vietnam, take the time to find out in which equatorial zone the resort you like is located. This is due to the large extent of the republic from north to south. Moreover, on climatic conditions areas are significantly influenced by monsoons.

In water

All year round, tourists have the opportunity to enjoy the clear waters of the warm South China Sea, located in the tropical climate zone. Its emerald waves amaze with their transparency - the seabed is perfectly visible even through a 10-meter thickness of water. Plus she's always warm. The sea temperature never drops below 23 °C. And in August it warms up to 30 degrees.

On the land

In the northern regions of the state, sunny weather does not last long. In the summer season, the air warms up to 28–30 °C. And in winter, in lowland areas, the temperature drops to a stable 20 °C. But in mountain areas The thermometer column can only record 5 °C. These resorts are suitable for recreation only in the summer, since it rains here from the beginning of September until the very end of May. Continuous downpours will accompany you throughout February and March.

In Vietnam there are no familiar to us shuttle buses and cars. The local population gets around on motorcycles. In this country, every family has at least 2 bikes. And every day over 10 million of such vehicles appear on the roads of the republic. In addition, it is not customary to allow pedestrians to pass at crossings here. Therefore, crossing busy highways constantly turns into an exciting and risky adventure.

It is best to go to the central zones of Vietnam in spring and summer, since the rest of the year there are heavy rains. The climate of these areas is characterized by warmth and high humidity. Average temperatures range from 35–40 °C in summer and 15–20 °C in winter.

The southern resorts of Vietnam are characterized by year-round heat. The temperature here almost never drops below 25 °C. It also rains here, but it often falls only at night and does not last as long as in the north of the country. In addition, in the south the air is never dry due to the constant evaporation of moisture.

Often tour operators from Vietnamese resort recommend to tourists:

from April to August - Hoi An;
from January to March, as well as in December and November - Phu Quoc Island;
from February to September - Nha Trang;
throughout the winter - Phan Thiet.

Vietnamese aborigines firmly believe in the mysterious power of snake wine, which is the country's national drink. It is prepared by preserving poisonous reptiles in rice wine and grain alcohol. Moreover, local healers believe that the more dangerous the snake, the more beneficial the drink it will make.

Popular beaches in the country

Today, almost everything is popular among tourists South coast republics. But only elite beaches deserve special love from travelers:

Con Dao. Located on the island of the same name and characterized by white sand, crystal clear sea, dense thickets of coke palms, mangrove forests. This is where you can easily find a unique plant or come face to face with an exotic animal.
Mui Ne Beach. It is a wide beach strip that stretches between the cities of Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Local residents are accustomed to the constant influx of Russian tourists, so they adapt menus, signs and film screenings in cinemas to suit them.
Lang Co. The beach is located in the resort of Hue, where travelers are pleased with a variety of entertainment centers and restaurants serving national cuisine.
Ha Long. When the fantastic landscapes of this beach open up to your eyes for the first time, you are fleetingly reminded of pictures stuffed with modern special effects and computer graphics. From a charming fairy tale, tourists are brought back to reality by dirty sea water and a rather unpleasant nearby town.
Phu Quoc. It is located 15 km from Cambodia and is the subject of quarrels between these 2 states. All coasts of the island are covered with sandy beaches with slightly pinkish fine sand and turquoise clear water. This is where you can take a wonderful selfie on a palm tree that approaches the sea itself. Providing shade, these trees are very suitable in hot tropical climates. Is it true, good roads can't be found on the island. But there is an airport.
Nha Trang. This is a pearl among all the beaches in Vietnam. It is characterized by a snow-white sandy surface that stretches along the coast for 7 km. Since the area is located in a bay, which is almost completely hidden from open sea islands, the water here is never colder than + 24 °C. Also here you can easily get acquainted with octopuses, shrimps, squids and other marine inhabitants that are found right off the coast.
Danang. The beach is about 20 km resort town, but has a small selection of hotels on the coast. Therefore, you need to take care of housing in advance when vacationing in these areas.
Non Nuoc. Famous for the sacred Marble Caves.
Vung Tau. Beaches in this resort can be found for every taste. For example, wild and little-known places will suit hermits, while demanding pampered travelers will be offered all the amenities on large modern beaches, which are in many ways similar to European ones. Shelkovichny (difficult to access), Front and Back beaches are popular.

There is a man in the country who has not slept for more than 40 years. This is 75-year-old Thai Ngoc. In the full bloom of his strength, he suffered from a severe fever and after that lost the desire to sleep. As a result of his ordeal, the Vietnamese experiences discomfort. He admitted to one of the local newspapers that he “feels like a plant without water.”

Sights and excursions

You can endlessly discover something new in Vietnam. Moreover, the country is in an endless revival after the wars it experienced. The local population is especially sensitive to ancient historical monuments. Although, let’s not hide, we can see some of them today only thanks to the intervention of UNESCO, which insisted on the reconstruction of destroyed buildings. So, if you follow the map of attractions from north to south famous resorts Vietnam, you can find many places where it is really worth going.

In the capital of the republic you can visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi Citadel, Cathedral St Joseph's Museum military history and the Thanglong water puppet theater. There is also the largest zoo in the republic, Thu Le. Its peculiarity is not only in meeting exotic wild animals, but also in the opportunity to ride a boat, walk with children and get a dose of adrenaline from local attractions. Also near Hanoi is the Bai Tu Long archipelago, famous for its 3 thousand miniature islands.

The city of Hue is home to many aerial pagodas and ancient palaces from the Nguyen Dynasty. The ruins of the Kinh Thanh citadel deserve special attention. It is here that you can see with your own eyes the “Nine Holy Weapons” complex, forbidden purple city Dai Non and the Royal Theater. You can also look at the imperial tombs, each of which is a small town.

Despite the temperature of 20°C outside, the Vietnamese consider this weather cold and, as a rule, wrap themselves in warm jackets and hats. They also customarily wear two-toed socks, which allow you to wear the famous flip-flops even in winter.

In the museum town of Hoi An, which is located a little south of the resort Hue, you will be interested in everything. It is through this locality The Great Silk Road ran in the past. The temples, which are like mushrooms after the rain in this city, will amaze you with their beauty. Among them are the legendary buildings of Fioklam, Cao Dai, Quan Kong.

In Nha Trang, it is worth taking a look at the Cham Towers, of which only 4 have survived to this day. Also of interest are the Buddha statue, the Long Son Pagoda and the Museum of Marine Fauna, which contains up to 8 thousand exhibits. Children should be shown the Chinguyen Aquarium, which is a lake divided into 3 parts, each of which is home to decorative, edible and predatory fish.

Very suitable for extreme sports enthusiasts mountain resort Dalat is located 60 km from the port of Cam Ranh. For great impressions, you should look into the “madhouse” of the Han Nga Hotel, as well as visit the Thung Lung Tin Yeu Valley, Madame Dang Gallery and Flower gardens Vion Hoa Dalat.

Dalat, which is famous as the “Paris of Vietnam,” even has a replica of the Eiffel Tower.

The cheapest diving and other outdoor activities

For obsessive divers, this corner of the planet is considered sacred. And all because it was in Nha Trang Bay that corals began to form for the first time on the planet. Today there are about 400 species here, which is a record number. Few people know that there is a real coral reserve near Moon Island.

The most interesting places to dive are:

the area around Madonna Rock and its underwater tunnels;
Coral Garden reef, where hard corals grow;
area near Mushroom Reef, where flying fish and reef sharks are quite common, as well as colorful clown fish, moray eels, squid, huge turtles, seahorses and barracudas.

There is no need to go too deep here. The beauty of the sea can be seen already 5 m from the surface of the sea.

For beginners, diving clubs will offer paid training, after which a special certificate is issued. Experienced tourists who are keen underwater world, when choosing centers, it is advised to give preference exclusively to foreign institutions rather than Vietnamese ones.

For some reason, all Vietnamese swim in their clothes. They do not swim, but go into the water to a sufficient depth and splash in the warm waves. Inexplicably, they also snorkel clothed.

Among other outdoor activities in this exotic country you may be offered to dive without scuba gear. This type of entertainment is called freediving. Depending on the level, its cost is between $150–250. The most suitable area for such dives is Whale Island, located 80 km from Nha Trang. It is famous for its turtle farm, so it will be of interest to both beginners and experienced divers.

During the day, everyday Vietnam resembles a large anthill, in which every resident is immersed in his own worries. And at night it does not fall silent, but on the contrary, with renewed vigor it is reborn into something new and mysterious. Vietnamese cities at night are famous for their grand parties and sexual adventures. As people see off the sun at sunset, they begin to celebrate. And there is no need for any reason for this. This tradition arose here during the Vietnam-American War, when, after difficult days, soldiers of the United States Army relieved their souls with noisy parties. Young Vietnamese were often invited to them. The indigenous people liked the idea so much that it became firmly rooted in their lives.

Don't lose your head from the night in Vietnam. Be vigilant even under the influence of strong drinks. Do not make dubious acquaintances and do not invite hotel room strangers. Indeed, often, when morning comes and the veil of holiday euphoria leaves their eyes, travelers do not find near them either the mysterious “moth,” or money, or documents.

If you want to taste all the delights of the nightly liberation of the Vietnamese, then feel free to go to the capital of the republic, Hanoi, and to the northern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, called Saigon in local circles. It is in these two centers that the country's nightlife is concentrated. Even despite the bans of local authorities, bars, restaurants, gay clubs and other similar establishments, simulating their closing at midnight, continue to let customers in from the back door until the morning. Of course, not all nightclubs do this, which should be taken into account when making plans for the night. Be prepared that you may not only be invited to dance, but also offered delicate services.

The famous Saigon club “Apocalypse Now” is considered a leader in the Vietnamese sex industry. It has existed for several decades and does not lose its status as the main intimate attraction of the republic. There are so many pretty priestesses of love in this establishment that it will be oh so difficult to choose. You can recognize the establishment from afar by its bright signs and barkers who hang around the doors with the simple slogan “lady, boombum.” Along with brothels, street prostitution also flourishes in the country. Often on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi you can see pimps riding around on motorcycles with a frightening, menacing look.

Guests of the capital and resort Nha Trang will also be provided with an erotic massage. Such salons and local bars are full of people on any day and at any time of the year. And among them mostly Foreign tourists. But the Vietnamese themselves also do not refuse to have fun.

Other Vietnamese cities, especially resort ones, also have their own nightlife, but, as a rule, it lasts only until midnight.

When looking for hot entertainment in Vietnam, do not forget about contraception. At first glance, this seems like a silly reminder for students. But practice shows that in the heat of passion and drunk alcohol, tourists forget about basic condoms, as a result of which they return from vacation with a bunch of sexually transmitted diseases.

There are many places where you can relax to your heart’s content in Vietnam at night. For example, several capital clubs:

“Funky Monkey” (address: 31 Hang Thung) - known for a variety of cocktails, billiard games, exotic dancing and music preferences in the style of house, trance or techno;
“R & R Tavern” (address: 10 Tho Nhuom St) - famous for its excellent beer, rock music and unforgettable views directly from the terrace;
“Solace” (address: Chuong Duong Do) is a youth establishment that gives preference to non-stop music, fiery dances and lighting effects;
“The Spotted Cow” (address: 23C Hai Ba Trung) - lovers of football, billiards, darts and beauties make their way here.

Features of accommodation

Vietnam is unique country not only regarding the tropical exotic fauna and flora. There are also unusual conditions for us to move through the streets, live here, and have a very specific cuisine. Let's look at everything in order.

During a night out in Saigon, watch your wallet, purse or bag. After all, bikers are rushing around the metropolis, not missing the opportunity for easy material extraction. It is best to leave all valuables in the hotel safe.

Transport

There are all types of modern transport in this country - from scooters to airplanes and international taxis. But local residents, it seems, have been in love with motorcycles for a long time. They move in a chaotic manner through the streets of big cities and small villages.

In any case, problems with transport in Vietnam will never arise. Of course, inconveniences on the road and frequent transfers are quite likely, but you can get to the right place.

The majority of the republic's air transport is represented by major carrier"Vietnam Airlines" and small companies "Vietnam Airlines", "VASCO", "AirMekong", "VietJet". They fly exclusively to large cities and resorts in the country. In some popular tourist destinations you can find special taxis that will take you to the airport.

The railway sector in Vietnam is characterized by weak development. It’s difficult to even call it a network, since trains run from north to south, with stops in Saigon, Hanoi, Sapu, Haiphong and Ha Long. This type of transport comes in two categories:

SE - they make stops only in megacities and are therefore considered fast and very comfortable;
TN - regular trains.

Most fast train In Vietnam, it takes 29 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.

For convenient and fast travel around the country, travelers choose buses. The category intended for international transport is equipped with sleeping places, and you must enter such transport barefoot with shoes wrapped in a bag. There is also Open Bus system transport.

If you decide to see the local islands, then you can’t do without a public boat. For example, the Mekong Delta is a convenient way to quickly get from Ho Chi Minh City to Canto by water transport, which departs from Saigon's Ton Duc Thang Avenue pier at 8:00 and arrives at its destination 5 hours later. The cost of such a trip is $1.

There are also taxis for tourists in Vietnam. But experienced travelers are not very willing to use it, since almost always all attempts to use this service end in disputes. Taxi drivers want to charge foreigners as much as possible, and to do this they twist the meters and come up with many ways to get theirs.

The Vietnamese Socialist Republic ranks second in rice consumption. Each average resident of the country eats about 169 kg of this product per year.

But don’t expect to see the usual taxi cars on the streets of this state. Mostly motorcycle taxi services are offered. This method of transportation is considered the cheapest and riskiest. A one-hour trip costs $2, and a 12-hour trip costs $10. If you have to travel outside the city, the cost of the trip will increase to $15.

Nutrition

Vietnamese cuisine has absorbed the traditions of Indian, Chinese, French, American and at the same time has not lost its uniqueness, retaining the zest of its originality. But at the same time, it is not suitable for all tourists. After all, not everyone can eat dog, snake, turtle or rat meat, and seafood often causes an allergic reaction in European tourists.

The Vietnamese very rarely eat beef, and you almost never see duck or goat dishes here. But chicken and shrimp are frequent guests on the table.

A characteristic feature of the cuisine of this people is a rich variety of sauces, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. Local chefs always decorate any dish with coriander, basil, mint leaves and serve it with some kind of dipping sauce.

Most dishes are based on rice, which is simply adored here. Its green sprouts are even used to decorate tables in cafes and restaurants instead of flowers. And don’t expect to find many different dishes to suit every taste on the menu. It won't be there. You will be offered only traditional rice and noodles with different sauces.

Before tasting the masterpieces of Vietnamese chefs, make sure that the dish does not contain any products that can trigger your allergies.

Housing

In Vietnam, you can independently rent housing to suit every taste. True, this issue needs to be addressed in advance (several months before departure). Depending on your financial capabilities, you may consider:

Guest houses and guest houses, which are a small room with a minimal set of furniture, a bathroom and Wi-Fi. This option is intended for undemanding travelers. If the housing is rented daily, the payment also includes electricity costs. If you plan to live there for a month or more, then you will have to pay for electricity using the meter. Typically, this amount ranges from $10 to $70.
Rooms in small hotels. Here you will receive the same conditions as in guest houses, only with better service and maintenance.
Homestays. These are family-type houses with or without owners. They are offered in the north of the country. As a rule, the price includes cleaning and change of linen.
Apartments and studios. This option is for wealthy tourists who plan to stay in Vietnam for at least a month. The range includes large houses with several bedrooms, balconies, large windows and modern household appliances. You can also be offered reception services, which will solve all your everyday issues, and security.
At home. They provide a large yard and parking space, so they are preferable for family travelers with children and a car.
Villas. This is premium real estate. It is located in a closed area that is guarded.

Against the backdrop of this luxury that is offered to tourists, the Vietnamese themselves live in very narrow houses, similar to school pencil cases, without windows and with a minimum of furniture.

Shopping in Vietnam

For avid shoppers, Vietnam is a true paradise. After all, the country is gradually beginning to gain the status of the second “clothing workshop of the world” after China. Here you can buy absolutely everything: from watches, clothes, shoes to furniture and pearls. Moreover, Western tourists remain satisfied with both the price and quality of goods.

If you are in Vietnam, be sure to pay attention to local silks, jewelry, precious stones, tea, coffee, ceramics, wooden souvenirs and balms made from poisonous snakes.

Don't be shy about bargaining - this is what local shops expect from you. Therefore, prices for goods are very high. The country values bargaining, which is built on mutual respect for the interests of the buyer and seller.

For example, in Ho Chi Minh City, for a successful bargain, you should go to the Ben Thanh market or the Diamond shopping and entertainment complex. The Tax Trade Center department store is also perfect for these purposes.

Fortunately for shopaholics, this country has plenty of places where you can spend all your money and be satisfied with your purchases.

We hope that our tips will be useful to you and will help you plan an unforgettable vacation in Vietnam, the souvenirs you purchased and bright, life-affirming photos will remind you of for a long time.

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