Most visitors come to Vietnam somewhat aware of the country’s turbulent history of colonisation, communist rebellion and war. The tenacious Viets have been occupied by China four times but more often than not come out victorious when attacked by seemingly more powerful forces.

The Nguyễn Dynasty were the last clan of emperors to rule Vietnam and made Hue their capital from 1802 to 1945. However, the French moved in to exploit a crisis of succession after the demise of Tự Đức to make Vietnam effectively a colony from 1884. Both the French and Chinese occupation have been massive influences on Vietnamese culture, with European architecture and cuisine plus the teachings of Confucius extremely prominent.

During the Second World War Japanese forces occupied Vietnam for a short time, and in 1945 the Viet Minh communists based in the the north organised an uprising against the French under the leadership of the charismatic Hồ Chí Minh. The French fought on for nine years until their ultimate defeat in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu. At this point the country was partitioned along the 17th parallel, with Ngo Dinh Diem acting as president of southern Vietnamese Republic.

After years of aid to the Republic of Vietnam in a bid to stave off communist influence from the north, in 1966 the Vietnam War begun and half-a-million US troops arrived to fight communism in Asia. Over the next nine years around three million Vietnamese and more than 55,000 American soldiers (many conscripts) perished in the resulting military quagmire.

Despite the 1966 to 1975 war being the most brutal in the country’s history, and more than two-thirds of the current population born after this time, visitors from the USA still receive a warm and hospitable welcome and many young Viets follow American culture.

With a population of more than seven million, Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city. While Hanoi is the political core of the country, Saigon is the country’s economical heart.

The city has a distinct European flavour, with its wide boulevards and beautiful French villas. Aromas of coffee and baking bread fill the air, yet the city is still very Asian.

The widest variety of Vietnamese food and international cuisine is on the menu in Saigon; however, unfortunately it is becoming increasingly hard to find due to the city becoming more and more cosmopolitan. The key is to avoid overpriced tourist traps and follow your nose to where the locals are dining.

The History Museum is a good place to start any sightseeing tour of the city. The museum houses an extensive collection of artefacts from the country’s 2000 year old history. Shoppers throng to Saigon, and Ben Thanh Market certainly provides the ideal hunting ground for bargain seekers.

Chinatown is also a great place for shopping, although it can get very hot and congested. There is a massive variety of goods for sale and with a little bargaining, you can get considerable discounts.

There are many beautiful pagodas in the city, all lavishly decorated and worth admiring. Just outside the city, further attractions make ideal day trips. The Cu Chi Tunnels provide insight into life during the war, while visitors can take part in Cao Dai worship in Tay Ninh.

If you have been to Asia before, you probably have a good idea of what to expect on arrival in Vietnam; however, every culture has its differences. Here is a quick list of travel tips which may be useful if you are planning a trip to Vietnam:

Don’t drink tap water. Bottled water is readily available and cheap.

Don’t take cyclo rides after dark. Exercise the same caution you would anywhere in the world. Using your common sense is usually enough to keep you safe in Vietnam.

Dress modestly when visiting religious sites and local dwellings.

Before heading out on the town at night, put any valuables in your hotel safe or a locked bag in your room. Also, avoid taking valuables to the beach.

When crossing busy city thoroughfares, walk slowly and keep looking to the right and left. Don’t ever change your pace, or turn back!

Don’t offer money to minority people, as it encourages begging. Making a donation to a local charity or offering a useful gift is the best way to help.

Always ask for permission to photograph locals or their communities.

No matter how frustrated you feel, don’t loose your temper. It is embarrassing for everyone and it certainly won’t help your situation.

Don’t be afraid to try some of the delicious street food. If you are concerned about hygiene, check the vendor is presentable and has a high turnover of food.

Book medical insurance before you travel.

Make sure you keep the yellow form from the airport. This exit/entry form needs to be returned on departure, so if you lose it you may be fined.

Visitors arriving in Vietnam have so many sights to see, and ground to cover. The entire country is steeped in history and culture, which is often illustrated by its eclectic architectural styles.

Here is a short guide to some of the best architectural landmarks:

The Cao Dai Holy See: this is the spiritual seat of the Cao Dai religion, which is a unique contemporary faith. Here you can experience a vibrant display of coloured mosaics and eye-catching painting. Followers don white turbans and dress for the daily procession.

Tomb of Kai Dinh: The pompous emperor left behind a tomb that features a mix of baroque, Gothic, and classical Chinese architecture. It is a unique sight, well worth experiencing.

The Tunnels of Cu Chi and Vinh Moc: Both sites feature an extensive network of tunnels used during the war. Despite their narrow size and dire conditions, the tunnels served many purposes, and had medical facilities and meeting rooms on site.

Hoa Lo Prison: This compound was home to many US pilots during the War, including Senator John McCain. Although a chunk of the site was cleared to make way for an office block, parts of the prison are still intact and visitors can gain insight into the gruesome brutality of the war.

Reunification Palace: The Prime Minister’s Palace made international news in 1975 when tanks crashed through the gates, signifying the end of the Vietnam War.

Bargaining is a little daunting for first time visitors to Vietnam; back home everything has a price tag and the numbers aren’t there for negotiation. In Vietnam, even on the odd occasion when an item has a price tag, the numbers are not the final figure.

Westerners are naturally hesitant when negotiating their first few purchases, but once the code of conduct has been cracked, the fun begins! It’s acceptable to bargain almost everywhere in Vietnam, with the exception of restaurants or large commercial stores.

Rooms, buses, cyclos, market goods, guides can all be bargained; however, you must ask when arranging the service, otherwise you will be responsible for the full payment. Always smile and keep your cool, even if you know the price offered is ridiculous, anger and frustration will spoil the fun and will get you nowhere.

If the first price offered by the vendor is very high, laugh in astonishment, this shows the vendor you know the fair price of the goods. After this, offer a price well below what you would expect to pay, to give you some room for manoeuvre. Don’t take this to the extreme though, as the vendor will think you don’t know the item’s actual worth.

If you feel you aren’t making progress, bid the vendor farewell and slowly walk away, this usually ensures another two reductions. If the price still seems too high and you are with a partner, you can explain that they control the purse strings and they won’t pay the price.

You will get the best results if you remain courteous, friendly but firm. Try to educate yourself beforehand, so you have an idea of the fair price. Sometimes a handicrafts feature intricacies that took time and effort to create, or the item is made from high quality materials. Most importantly, never make the vendor ‘loose face’, this is their livelihood and they don’t consider it ‘ripping you off’.

Remember the goal is to find the best price for both of you, so keep it lighthearted. If the vendor likes you, you will get a better deal.

Shopping on holiday is not only fun, but a great way to take away a little piece of treasure from your destination. Vietnam is one huge shopping arena, with bargains galore on every other street. Some areas of Vietnam specialize in a particular type of product, so it is worth taking time to compare prices and see the whole range.

The best bets in Vietnam are handicrafts, war souvenirs, clothing, jewellery and art. Shoppers should avoid imported brand name clothing, electronics and perfume, as these items are more expensive in Vietnam than neighboring countries.

Buying art and antiques is a risky business, aside from the strict regulations regarding their export, most pieces are fakes or reproductions. Shoppers should ask to see a certificate if a dealer claims an item is an authentic piece.

Many female visitors get measured up for the traditional costume of Vietnam called ‘ao dai’. This makes a fantastic souvenir, and the skilled tailors will create a gown that fits you like a dream. Gemstones are also a great buy, and are found at large retailers as well as independent outlets.

Unfortunately most of the war paraphernalia are fake reproductions. You can still find some quality items but be wary of vendors selling ‘authentic’ goods at steep prices, as their authenticity is usually highly questionable.

A wide variety of handicrafts can be found in shops, markets and stores throughout Vietnam. The range usually includes laquerware, wooden goods, bamboo products and leatherworks. If you are looking for ethnic minority handicrafts, Hanoi is the best place to shop as it is close to the villages where the goods are crafted.

Vietnam’s roads are notoriously dangerous, and around 30 lives are claimed on them each day. Cities in Vietnam are crowded, and the roads are chaotic with all forms of traffic moving without discipline and often at great speed.

As a pedestrian negotiating the city, you are probably more at risk than as a driver, as the congestion slows things down. However, the highways are death traps, and many Vietnamese don’t venture on them if they are not travelling in a large vehicle. If you drive a bicycle or motorbike on Vietnam’s highways you are putting your life at risk.

Crossing the road in Vietnam’s cities is also a hair-raising task. Intersections may have red lights, but they are usually ignored by drivers, or else defunct. A gap in the traffic is a rarity in cities such as Hanoi and Saigon, so what is the best way to get from A to B without ending up as an X on the road?

The simplest method is by shadowing a local! Wait for their movements and follow them at the same speed and in the same direction. Locals are faced with this challenge every day, so they know what they are doing. The important thing is to keep moving, don’t stop or change direction, and you will find that somehow the traffic will avoid you!

Ao dais and bicycles
Travel Vietnam virtually here, as we reveal the country weekly on this travel professional’s blog. From the Delta in the South to Sapa in the North we cover all the sightseeing, culture, history, food, entertainment, hospitality and activities travellers can expect to see and do in Vietnam.

We’ve been travelling Southeast Asia for years, here’s a full blown info resource with colourful pics and video clips to get you all excited about visiting Vietnam.

Whether you are visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang, Sapa or Dalat, you can plan your trip here.

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