What to Know Before Visiting Vietnam?

Country Facts:
 There are more than 45 million registered motorbikes in the country, which
means that almost half of the population own their own motorbike!
 Also known as “Great Uncle Ho”, Ho Chi Minh is the founding father of modern
Vietnam.
 The Ao Dai used to be worn by both sexes, but nowadays, it’s mostly women
wearing the Ao Dai. 
 Also known as Tet, the Lunar New Year marks the new year for Vietnamese
people, and it’s the most important event of the year.
 About 2 million civilians and 1.3 million soldiers were killed or died during the
war. One of the world’s longest conflicts, and still today it’s quite controversial. 
 The water buffalo is the national animal of Vietnam
 Potbelly Pigs are being kept as pets
 One of France’s most famous authors, Duras lived in Saigon and Sa Dec on the
Mekong River.
 ‘hidden’ archipelago is part of a national park and has caves, karsts, islands and
emerald waters aplenty.
Source:
1. https://www.swedishnomad.com/facts-about-vietnam/
2. https://www.backyardtravel.com/blog/25-fun-interesting-facts-about-vietnam/

Country Flag:
Capital: Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam.

Government: The President of Vietnam is the head of state, and the Prime Minister of
Vietnam is the head of government in a one-party system led by the Communist Party
of Vietnam. Executive power is exercised by the government and the President of
Vietnam. Moreover, the president has the right to decide on executive brands.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Vietnam

Prime Minster: Nguyen Xuan Phuc is Prime Minister of Vietnam since 2016.
Economy: According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Vietnam's economy has
shown strong growth in 2019, as a result of high domestic demand, a strong
manufacturing and processing industry, and high Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). For
the 2020 estimate, GDP per capita in Vietnam will be $8066 in PPP per capita and
$2740 in nominal per capita.
Population: The population of Vietnam was estimated to be 95.54 million in 2018.
Religion by Percentage: According to official statistics from the government, as of
2014 there are 24 million people identified with one of the recognised organised
religions, out of a population of 90 million. Of these, 11 million are Buddhists (12.2%),
6.2 million are Catholics (6.9%), 4.4 million are Caodaists (4.8%), 1.4 million are
Protestants (1.6%), 1.3 million are Hoahaoists (1.4%), and there are 75,000 Muslims,
7,000 Bahá'ís, 1,500 Hindus and other smaller groups (<1%).
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Vietnam
Top Vietnam Foods: The cooking in Vietnam is done with minimal use of oil and dairy
and relies more on the light, fresh flavours of herbs and vegetables. As a result,
Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. Some
foods of Vietnam are given below:

 Thịt đông: It is a Vietnamese take on aspic. The dish is prepared by slowly

boiling pork meat and various pork cuts such as trotters and hocks, as well as
pork skin, carrots, mushrooms, and different spices. When cooked, the
combination is left to set until it achieves its typical jellied texture. The dish is
usually associated with northern Vietnam, and it is often enjoyed on Vietnamese
New Year. It is best served with pickled onions and a bowl of rice on the side.

 Bánh chuối : Bananas are the star ingredient in this classic Vietnamese dessert
which can be steamed (hấp) or baked (nướng). It usually consists of sliced
bananas and a creamy combination of condensed milk, sugar, coconut milk, and
optionally bread, eggs, or shredded coconut. Depending on the ingredients and
the cooking procedure, the cakes can vary in shape and texture, while other
varieties come in a form of banana fritters or incorporate additional ingredients
and flavorings. Steamed versions are often served sprinkled with sesame seeds
and doused in coconut milk.

 canh chua cá : The term canh chua cá encompasses various fish-based

Vietnamese soups that are characterized by their combination of sweet, spicy,
and sour flavors. The soups are usually made with a tamarind-based broth, and
they typically include chunks of pineapple, tomatoes, okra, bean sprouts, or other
vegetables. Most varieties are prepared with catfish, but some versions include
carp, snakehead fish, eels, or salmon. These soups are usually topped with
cilantro and served with rice on the side.

 Cơm lam: It is prepared by stuffing sticky rice into bamboo tubes which are first
wrapped in banana leaves and then roasted over hot coals. It was invented as a
convenient and portable dish that was intended for long journeys, and its origin is
usually associated with Northern and Northwest Vietnam, especially in Sapa,
 though similar techniques and dishes can be found in Laos, Cambodia,
Myanmar, and Thailand. Cơm lam is typically served with grilled pork or chicken,
and it is usually sprinkled with sesame seeds or roasted peanuts.

 cháo long: Often described as a porridge or a congee, cháo long is a

Vietnamese dish that combines pork bone broth, rice, and various pork offal such
as liver, kidney, spleen, intestines, or hearts. The dish is always served warm,
with sliced offal and usually pieces of quẩy—deep-fried dough—as well as
scallions and chili flakes, while bean sprouts, lime, fresh vegetables and herbs,
fish sauce, and ginger are usually served on the side. Optionally, cubes of
congealed blood can be added. Cháo long is a hearty, affordable dish that is
enjoyed throughout the country.

 Cơm chiên: It is the Vietnamese take on fried rice. The dish is very versatile
because almost anything can be added to the rice to enrich it, but it's usually
prepared with white rice, garlic, salt, and pepper. The rice is cooked and it's then
stir-fried in hot oil. Cơm chiên is served while still hot, and it can be enriched with
various vegetables, eggs, or sausage meat. Soy sauce or fish sauce can be used
as a seasoning, while chopped spring onions provide extra texture and a nice
visual contrast to the rice.

 bánh bột lọc : These translucent Vietnamese dumplings are usually prepared
with tapioca-based wrappers and a filling which typically combines shrimps and
fatty pork. The dumplings can be cooked or wrapped in banana leaves and then
steamed. They are traditionally served with a fish-based dipping sauce on the
side. It is believed that bánh bột lọc originated in Huế – the ancient imperial city
known for its balanced, sophisticated specialties.

 Bún đậu mắm tôm: This traditional Vietnamese dish consists of rice vermicelli
noodles, fried tofu, and fermented shrimp paste. All the elements are served
separately, along with a heap of fresh green herbs. The dish is occasionally
accompanied by slices of boiled pork, and before serving the shrimp paste is
traditionally drizzled with few drops of lemon or kumquat juice. Bún đậu mắm tôm
is mainly associated with Northern Vietnam, and it is especially popular in Hanoi.
Although it is served in restaurants, this unique combination is best known as a
street food item that is sold by numerous street vendors.

Language: Vietnamese is the official language; English is increasingly favored as a

second language. French, Chinese, Khmer and various highlander languages are also
spoken. Between 85 percent and 90 percent of Vietnam's residents are ethnically
Vietnamese.

Dress for Men and Women: The traditional Vietnamese dress for men is known as the
Ao Dai. It is a long silk tunic with a conventional looking snug collar and is buttoned
down on the left side. The male tunic falls to the knees and is generally worn with loose
pants underneath.

Holidays: There are several national holidays in Vietnam such as:

 New Year's Day
 Lunar New Year
 Vietnamese New Year's Eve
 Hùng Kings' Festival
 Reunification Day
 Labour Day
 Independence Day of Vietnam
Travel Tips:

 At the moment, almost travelers holing a popular passport need to get a valid
visa for Vietnam entry, except for citizens of 24 countries benefiting from
unilateral or bilateral visa exemption agreements by Vietnam government.
 When arrive in Vietnam and land at Tan Son Nhat at Ho Chi Monh City or Noi Bai
International Airport in Hanoi, People will see many options for buying a SIM
card. Even if People miss buying at the airport, People will be happy to know that
the SIM cards are sold in many stores in Vietnam for around 100,000 Dong.
 Vietnamese national currency is the Dong (VND) and it is locally written as
đồng. At the moment the exchange rate is $1 in equivalent to Dongs 23,000 or 1
EUR is 26,000 Dongs.
 Vietnam is in a tropical climate. In the summer, the weather is extremely hot, In
the winter, the North of Vietnam is very cold
 There are many taxi scams in Vietnam and the drivers are known to overcharge
and trick international visitors.
 Shopping in Vietnam is cheap and it is important to negotiate as with most of
Asian countries. The best time to buy is early morning or late evening because
that’s when the prices will be the lowest. South of Vietnam is cheaper than the
North for shopping.
 The streets of Vietnam, especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
are full of many kinds of vehicle. Accidents are common and because of this,
many international travelers do not dare cross the streets.
 Book for the first few nights in advance after carefully checking the reviews on
TripAdvisor.

Top 10 Attractions and places to visit:

1. Hạ Long Bay
2. Phú Quốc
3. Cu Chi Tunnel
4. Hoàn Kiếm Lake
5. Cát Bà Island
 6. The Marble Mountains
7. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
8. Ben Thanh Market
9. The world cultural heritage My Son
10. Halong bay
Vietnam Boys Name:
 Binh
 Chiman
 Chinh
 Danh
 Dinh
 Giang
 Dung
Top 10 Universities in Vietnam:
1. Vietnam National University, Hanoi
2. Hanoi University of Science and Technology
3. Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology
4. Can Tho University
5. The University of Da nang
6. Hue University
7. National Economics University
8. University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City
9. Duy Tan University
10. FPT University
Top 10 Websites:
1. Google.com
2. Youtube.com
3. Facebook.com
4. Google.com.vn
5. Vnexpress.net
6. Shopee.vn
7. Zalo.me
8. Thethao247.vn
9. Vtv.vn
10. Laodong.vn
Top 3 Search engines used:
1. Google
2. CocCoc
3. Bing
Top exports:
 Phones
 Textiles
 Electronic goods
 Computer
 Footwear
Top 5 Cars:
Top cars in Vietnam includes:
1. Toyota vios
2. Hyundai grand
3. Hyundai accent
4. VinFats Lux SUV V8
5. Honda
Natural Disasters:
Many types of natural disasters occur in Vietnam such as:
 Drought
 Earthquake
 Landslides
 Forest fires
 Sea water intrusion
 Typhoon
 Volcanic eruption
 Floods
Home Designs / Architecture:
City homes are often made with brick, wood and/or tile. A traditional northern
Vietnamese house is built with mud or brick walls, a thatched or tile roof, and earthen or
concrete floors. Large houses are set around a courtyards and are open-fronted with a
sloping red-tile roof supported by heavy wooden pillars.
Deaths and Mortality:
In 2019, death rate for Viet Nam was 6.4 per 1,000 people. Before death rate of Viet
Nam started to increase to reach a level of 6.4 per 1,000 people in 2019, it went through
a trough reaching a low of 5.6 per 1,000 people in 2002.
Source: https://knoema.com/atlas/Vietnam/Death-rate