One of the most captivating countries in the region of Southeast Asia, Vietnam has gradually placed itself up on the world’s tourism map as a fascinating place to visit, with a unique wealth of its own to offer visitors from other countries in the form of colorful cuisine, friendly people, picturesque landscape, and rich culture. Visitors from around the world, on the other hand, have now took notice of the breathtaking beauty that only Vietnam’s natural landscapes can offer. In fact, the first five months of 2014 alone has seen an arrival of almost 11 million tourists bound for the Mekong Delta alone, with nearly 1 million accounting for international visitors. Indeed, Vietnam tour has caught up and is gradually showing the world what this country’s hidden charms are.
As a backgrounder for future visitors, and to have a general idea about what to expect once inside the country, the following information about Vietnam will be useful:
Climate
Vietnam lies entirely within the tropics, but the fascinating fact is that the country is characterized by a climate that varies from area to area, with a general annual average temperature ranging from 22 degrees to 27 degrees Celsius. Cold, humid winters and warm, wet summers generally define the climatic condition of the north while the south is characterized by a monsoon season within the months of May to November, and is warm throughout the year.
Language and Ethnic Groups
Vietnamese is of course the country’s official language, but each of the country’s ethnic minority group boasts of its own dialect used in daily life. The country’s rather small area of 330,000 square kilometers is home to 54 different ethnic groups. The Kinh people, at 86% accounts for the majority of the country’s population. The remaining 14% accounts for all the other ethnic groups. The Kinh people are mostly based on the plains, particularly in the Red river Delta and the Mekong Delta, while the other ethnic groups are based on the mountainous regions. While each group has its own cultural traditions that differ from each other, they are all united by a common goal and desire for peace, and generally speaking, these ethnic groups that comprise the vietnamese people as a whole are warm, gentle, and visitor friendly.
Religions and Festivals
The land of Vietnam plays host to a myriad of spirituality and religious beliefs that range from Confucianism to Buddhism, as much as Taoism and Animism. Christianity also co-exist with this different religions, also playing an important role in the spiritual life of many Vietnamese.
Vietnam’s most important festival is the Tet Nguyen Dan, or the “Feast of the First Morning”. Often celebrated either in late January or early February and lasting two weeks long, the festivities welcome the coming of the Lunar New Year, and is also associated with ancestor worship. It is also a much awaited time for children, as they receive gifts from parents, grandparents, and relatives. Adults, on the other hand, gather together and wish each other prosperity and good luck. It is also during the Tet holiday when families go for reunions, and visits to temples and pagodas are also done during this festival. Other festivals are also celebrated, particularly during spring and autumn.
Food
Vietnamese cuisine is an array of colorful food that is really worth a visitor’s time and effort. The local fare include beef pho, chicken pho, cold shellfish noodle, shrimp cakes, and spring rolls. The local beer, also known as draught beer, is also worth trying.
Hot Spots
Vietnam is naturally wealthy in terms of destinations that would truly amaze the senses with natural beauty. The Mekong Delta, for instance, draws hordes of visitors from around the world. Other places of interest include Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Cat Ba Island, Ho Chi Minh, and Hanoi. Beach resorts along the coastlines, as well as traditional eco-tours in areas such as mountainous areas are also available. Other points of interests are historical cities, towns, and communities.
With these and many other things to discover, a Vietnam tour package is sure to reward you with a breathtaking travel experience that only Vietnam can ever offer.
