Vietnam Travel Guide

Vietnam has become a firm favourite with backpackers and travellers visiting Asia over the past years. There are exquisite natural sights which are filled with an abundance of wildlife. There are also many urban areas, like Saigon which has become comparable to New York. Due to the wide scope of attractions on offer, there is a huge variety of experiences for you to sample whilst on holiday.

Vietnamese Cuisine

The staple within many Vietnamese meals is rice; this is an ingredient that is added to cakes as well as everyday meals. Such herbs as lemon grass, lime and kaffir are common within Vietnamese foods and infuse many meals. The cuisine also contains such meats as lamb, duck and birds alongside such dipping sauces as fish sauce and soya sauce. The abundance of ingredients and styles of cooking means that eating within Vietnam is an exciting experience as you can enjoy plenty of new tastes.

Do’s and Don’ts

The culture within Vietnam is quite different to the UK, so you may need to censure certain aspects of your behaviour. The Vietnamese people tend to dress conservatively so it is best not to show a lot of skin as you will only draw unwanted attention to yourself. This is especially mandatory within pagodas as you should show your respect to the Vietnamese religion. Also make sure you carry plenty of bottle water due to the heat as well your incompatibility with the drinking water. For your safety, also make sure you travel with a reputable travel agent in order to prevent any problems from occurring whilst you are on holiday.

You should not carry a lot of jewellery or bags around with you as petty crime can be rife within the central areas of Vietnam. Make sure that you don’t show many physical displays of affection in public as this is frowned upon. Losing your temper within Vietnam means that you will lose your reputation, so always try to remain calm as you have a greater chance of dealing with your problems.

Climate & Weather in Vietnam

Knowing the Vietnamese weather is essential before you make any trip to the country. The Northern area has four seasons with a cold winter and hot summer. The further North you head, the more extreme the temperatures reach so it may be best to stick to more central regions. The rainy months are August, October, November and February whilst March has a few drizzles.

Central Vietnam has high temperatures all year round. Yet the climate tends to be warmer during the middle of the year and cooler between November and April. Also it is advisory to visit outside October and December as flooding tends to occur.

Southern Vietnam has a dry season between November and April, and a wet season between May and October. The average temperatures tend to range between 25 to 30 degrees centigrade, and heavy and short downpours occur during the rainy season.