The most populated city in Vietnam. Vietnamese cities: the largest, most beautiful, resort towns. Holy land Michonne

Vietnam is famous for its heavenly beaches, and go there primarily for their sake. However, this paradise will also appeal to diving enthusiasts - diving here is one of the cheapest in the world, but at the same time it is well organized, and there are interesting dive sites, and you can dive throughout the year, simply by changing resorts.

Those who like sightseeing vacation will appreciate the wealth and preservation of historical monuments. There are medieval imperial citadels, French colonial quarters, and guerrilla catacombs during the Vietnam War. And the natural nature of such a small country amaze with its grandeur: the giant Mekong delta, the largest cave in the world, Shondong, the bay of 3000 Halong islands. An excellent seasoning for holidays will be local kitchen with a pleasant French accent.

Vietnam tours

Popular resorts

Vietnam on the map is stretched along the meridian by a winding line. Above, in the north, is the country's capital -. In the center is the ancient capital of Hue, popular with fans of sightseeing holidays.

Beach resorts begin a little further south, in Nha Trang, the most famous and popular of them. Further south are followed, especially suitable for surfers and kiters. Below begins the Mekong Delta, as well as the "Paris of the East", an industrial and tourist center -.

In the extreme south of the country, the sea gives way to the Gulf of Thailand. In it, on the very borders of Cambodia, the largest island of Vietnam is located. Paradise beaches with white sand and coconut palms are to be found there, on its western coast.

Hotels

The level of service of hotels in Vietnam is very high: even hotels of the "3 stars" category in terms of their comfort and quality of service are close to the European "four". And local "fours" and even more so "fives", especially when it comes to historical hotels, is already a real luxury.

Animation for children, kids clubs and special entertainment programs are not yet available in every resort hotel, information about them needs to be clarified in advance. Also, not all hotels operate in the all-inclusive format, which, by the way, is not so much in demand. In Vietnamese resorts, you don't want to sit around the clock in a hotel, when there are so many interesting and tasty things around.

You can come to Vietnam without even booking a hotel in advance. In large tourist centers, you can always find free rooms right on the spot.

Vietnam tours

The prices are for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with a departure from Moscow

Weather

Currency

The national currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong. Its cost is such that as a "small change" you should have banknotes of 50,000 and 20,000 dongs in order to pay off a cycle rickshaw ("Cyclo") or buy a glass of freshly squeezed juice. The largest bill is half a million dong.

It is best to take on a trip with you U.S. dollars: here you can pay with them as freely as with the national currency. Euro does not have such circulation.

Visa

Vietnam visa need not for Russians who are going to come for a period of up to 15 days.

Those who plan to stay in the country longer need to get a visa. It can be single or multiple, but in both cases it is issued for a period of 1 or 3 months. To obtain a visa, you need to collect a package of documents and contact the consular department of the Vietnamese Embassy. The visa is issued within 5 - 7 working days. However, you can apply for a visa upon arrival at any of the main airports in Vietnam. It is both faster and easier.

Round-trip flights to Vietnam

These are the ticket prices for 1 person departing from Berlin

What to bring from Vietnam

Even by the standards of Southeast Asia, prices in Vietnam are very low, so no one comes from here without souvenirs. Russians often bring tropical fruits, medicinal artichoke tea and coffee from Vietnam, including such an exotic and expensive variety as "kopi luwak": it is also cheaper here than, for example, on. Snake wine and medicinal tinctures on snakes, scorpions and other poisonous animals have become classic souvenir classics. Men consider them beneficial to their health.

Women love Vietnamese island pearl jewelry and silk clothing. On vacation, many even order from local dressmakers the national female aozai costume, which consists of a long silk shirt and trousers. The traditional conical palm leaf hat is perfect for him.

Vietnam is one of the most ancient countries in Asia. The state is located in the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula. Vietnam has a favorable geographical position: a narrow strip of the country's territory stretches from north to south along the coast of Bakbo Bay and the South China Sea. Vietnam's neighbors are Laos and Cambodia to the west, China to the north.

The first mentions of Vietnam date back to the second millennium BC. But the legends say that the Vietnamese are the descendants of the dragon emperor Lac Long and the fairy bird Au Ko, who fell in love with each other with unearthly love. To this day, Vietnam has preserved a distinctive culture with ancient temples and thousand-year-old traditions. At the same time, many things in this country may seem painfully familiar to Russian tourists - from red red flags to pioneers in ties. True, socialism does not prevent Vietnam from being a very attractive tourist destination. Amazing nature, magnificent beaches, a rich excursion program, modern comfortable hotels and amazing friendliness towards travelers from Russia - not every country can boast of such a set of tourist benefits, but Vietnam has it all.

Capital

Hanoi

Population

90.5 million people

Population density

273 people / km²

Vietnamese

Religion

local animistic beliefs (80.8%), Buddhism (9.3%), Catholicism (6.7%)

Form of government

one-party unitary socialist republic

vietnamese dong

Timezone

International dialing code

Domain zone

Electricity

220V or 110V, 50 Hz

Climate and weather

A pleasant feature of the climate of Vietnam is that at any time of the year in the country you can find a place where the weather will be truly resort.

The South of Vietnam is the best place to relax from December to April... At this time, the weather is mild and pleasant without the aggressive sun. The air temperature varies from +21 ° C in January to + 30 ° C in April. Rain season begins in May and lasts almost until October: sudden torrential rains occur almost every day, but they do not last more than 15-20 minutes.

It is optimal to travel to the central part of the country in March - June. The fact is that from July to November typhoons, rains and fogs are frequent here, and in the winter months there is a very restless sea. But in spring the weather is comfortable (+ 26 ° C on average) and a lot of sun.

In the north of Vietnam, humid hot summers and cool winters (+15 ° C). Frosts occur in winter only in the mountains. The rainy season is from May to October, so the ideal time to visit the northern regions of the country is considered April-May and October-November, when there is almost no rainfall and the sea water is warm.

Nature

Vietnam's landscape is very picturesque. This is a country of mountain ranges and hills, which give way to spacious plains with lush vegetation. Highest mountain in Vietnam - Fansipan(3145 meters). The delta of the rivers appears to be an amazingly beautiful place Mekong and Hongha... The Vietnamese believe that it is from here that all life on earth originated.

Vietnam is famous for its forests - fragrant evergreen jungle. Trees of valuable species grow here: sandalwood, brown lim tree, bamboo, iron and mahogany. Of the useful plants, cardamom, anise, cinnamon and, of course, ginseng occupy a special place.

One cannot but admire the fauna of Vietnam. Here you can meet elephants and rhinos, wild cats and leopards, tigers, bears, antelopes, wild bulls and deer. The jungle is inhabited by numerous subspecies of monkeys, lemurs, panthers. The country is home to about 400 species of birds and many species of reptiles. Every year in Vietnam, scientists discover new subspecies of animals, fish and birds, and even, which is especially interesting, animals that were considered extinct for a long time.

sights

There is a lot to see in Vietnam. The temple complexes of the most ancient civilizations, and the most beautiful national parks, and even the architectural monuments of the socialist era are also worthy of admiration. It is interesting to visit not only the capital of Vietnam Hanoi but also in Ho Chi Minh City and in the city-museum Hoi An, in resorts Da Lat, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet.

The ancient capitals of Vietnam deserve special attention. This is, first of all, a city Hue on the shore Fragrant River, where the imperial palaces and other architectural structures were restored. Travelers are also attracted by such former capitals as Koloa, Meling, Hoyle... In total, Vietnam has 12 ancient capitals, each of which has an interesting history and many interesting sights.

The modern capital of the country Hanoi, or Thang long("The city of the flying dragon"), is famous not only for the historical vicissitudes of the struggle for independence. Such architectural masterpieces as Temple of the Turtle which is in the middle of the lake Hoan Kiem("Lake of the returned sword"), and the pagoda Chua mot cot("Pagoda on One Pillar"), the original of which was built in 1049. Tourists from all over the world are eager to see Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum- one of the four mausoleums in the world, where visitors are allowed access. The mausoleum is very similar to the Moscow one, but the Vietnamese structure is much grander.

There are many picturesque places in Vietnam, but the true delight of travelers is the pearl of Vietnamese nature - the bay Halong("The bay of the landing dragon") which many call the eighth wonder of the world. On the crystal clear sea surface there are about 1600 islands of the most incredible shapes: a stone frog, an old fisherman, a vase for incense sticks. On the rocky islands there are beautiful caves with stalactites and stalagmites.

Nutrition

In the post-Soviet space, Vietnamese cuisine has gained a dubious reputation thanks to the notorious "aroma" of fried herring, which reigns in hostels where students from Vietnam lived. Meanwhile, in reality, Vietnamese culinary traditions ensure the preparation of fresh and healthy food, although it may seem unusual for a European to taste. The most important gastronomic difference between Vietnam and other Asian countries is that the products here are not subjected to prolonged heat treatment, in addition, little fat is used in the cooking process.

The basis of Vietnamese cuisine is rice (" lump"), Noodles (" mi") And a variety of seafood. In general, in their culinary preferences, the Vietnamese are omnivores, so here you can try fried grasshoppers, monkey brains, and bird's nest soup. But nevertheless, such national dishes as eel soup, rice noodle pancakes, green pho soup, boiled beef with bamboo shoots and cinnamon will be more familiar to the Russian traveler. bo ho ku».

There are many restaurants in Vietnam where you can enjoy Chinese, Indian, Thai and European cuisine. An important plus for tourists - in Vietnam you will have relatively low food costs. In large cities, for $ 8-10, you can have a hearty dinner in a restaurant (along with coffee and beer), and in the daytime it is not difficult to find an institution where a hearty lunch will cost you $ 4-5.

Residence

There is no official system for evaluating the level of service in hotels in Vietnam. But for convenience, the European five-star hotel classification system is still used, however, you need to understand that the declared category does not always objectively correspond to the real state of affairs. For example, not every 4-star hotel has a restaurant, and instead of an air conditioner, there is often only a fan in the room. However, do not worry, since the hotels of the world's hotel operators, of which there are many in Vietnam, meet generally accepted standards of service.

More and more comfortable hotels are being built in the country every year. Nevertheless, demand often exceeds supply, although there are more than 200 hotels of 3-5 * categories in Vietnam. By the way, breakfast is not always included in the cost of living.

In the south of Vietnam - in resorts Phan Thiet, Da Lat, Nha Trang- the most popular hotels and the highest cost of living. There are upscale tourist complexes, family half-board and guest houses with a basic set of services. You can save on accommodation by coming here in the off-season - in July and August.

There are not many 4-5 * hotels in the central part of Vietnam and in the north of the country. Exceptions are cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City where the hotel base boasts luxury hotels.

If you are traveling on your own and the luxury of accommodation is not a priority, you can find a budget hotel, guest house or private apartment in any major city. If you want to stay in a luxury hotel, we recommend that you take care of the advance booking.

Entertainment and recreation

Vietnam invariably delights its guests with diverse entertainment: from water sports to nightclubs and casinos. In this country, you can ride elephants, soak up the beautiful beaches, visit crocodile farms, go sea fishing and diving. The real highlight among the entertainment is going to the partisan Ku Chi tunnels.

If you are lucky enough to get to one of the colorful Vietnamese festivals and holidays, then the impressions will be enough for a long time. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit " Southern Fruit Festival", In Da Nang - on fireworks festival, in Nha Trang they arrange marine festival and there are bullfights in Doshona.

In Vietnam, diving is very affordable in terms of price, while the level of organization of dives is decent. There are many interesting diving sites in the country. The best dive sites are Hoi An, Nha Trang Phu Quoc and Condao... There you can see corals, cuttlefish, octopuses, barracudas, molluscs, moray eels, squid and even blowfish and manta rays. And diving off the archipelago Condao, you can see dugongs (sea cows) and large green turtles.

The beaches of Vietnam are white sand and clear water. No wonder the central and southern regions of the country are called " Vietnamese Hawaii". The best beaches in Southeast Asia are located here.

Purchases

Vietnam has an incredibly wide range of souvenirs and gifts. At the same time, the prices are the most democratic in the region. Trade flourishes in both small gift shops and modern shopping malls in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

In the top list of shopping in Vietnam, it is worth adding products made from natural silk, crafts made from rare wood, gold and silver jewelry, products made of stone, metal and bone. We advise you to focus on specialized stores if you want to buy high-quality silk, silver, pearls. Pottery is best bought in the suburbs of Hanoi Bat Chang, where there are many workshops making porcelain tableware. And the best pearls are bought on the island Phu Quoc... Be sure to also pay attention to green tea and coffee.

Generally, shops are open daily from 07:30 to 17:30, but many are open until late at night.

In public stores, prices are fixed, but in private stores and markets, it is recommended to bargain, even if you see a price tag - be aware that this is only a starting point for bargaining.

Currency can be exchanged at a bank, hotel or exchange office. The first option is the most profitable, but banks are open for a limited time. Do not under any circumstances agree to offers on profitable currency exchange from passers-by - there is a risk of becoming a victim of scammers.

By plastic cards MasterCard, Visa, American Express and JCB you can pay in all cities and towns where there are tourists. But in places remote from tourist areas, it is better to take cash with you.

Transport

It is convenient to travel between the cities of Vietnam by buses. There are two types of them: Big bus(with air conditioning and seat according to the ticket) and Mini Bus(no air conditioner and fixed place).

Water transport is functioning well. Thousands of private cutters, coasters and boats cruise along the coast and lakes. The cost of the trip is in most cases negotiable and agreed with the captain of the vessel.

In cities, the most convenient way to get around is by taxi, motorcycle and cycle rickshaws. Although there is a bus transport, it does not work regularly; moreover, the intricate system of stops is not very attractive for travelers. But the fare is only about $ 0.1.

Traveling by taxi is, of course, more expensive, but they are always available and paid strictly according to the meter readings. Companies such as Vina(yellow cars) and Mai Linh(green cars): Taxis are always clean and air conditioned. Taxi fares are the same for the capital and the province, the price is about $ 0.6 per kilometer.

Remember that the payment for travel on bicycles and auto rickshaws must be negotiated in advance. Do not be afraid to bargain, otherwise the price will be significantly overpriced. In general, the reward for 15 minutes of travel should not exceed $ 1.

Connection

You can call anywhere in the world from a hotel, internet cafe, post office or mobile phone. Mobile communication, by the way, is absolutely accessible. You only need to purchase a SIM card from one of the local operators ( Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone). You can top up your account using prepaid cards (sold at any kiosk, store or post office). Keep in mind that calling from a hotel is several times more expensive than calling from a mobile phone.

Internet access services in the country are provided by the company " Internet Vietnam". Access to the network is available in large hotels, Internet cafes and post offices. Prices for services are quite affordable and, as a rule, do not exceed $ 0.5.

Safety

Vietnam is quite safe to travel, even if you move around the country on your own. There is no religious fanaticism or racial prejudice here, Vietnam is one of the ten safest places in Eurasia.

The main problem that lies in wait for a tourist here is petty theft. Therefore, you should carefully monitor personal belongings, especially in crowded places. Do not carry large sums of money with you. It is better to leave valuables in the hotel safe. Avoid rickshaw rides at night.

A separate "headache" is the importunity of local residents who are constantly trying to sell something, stopping tourists on the go. In no case do not succumb to persuasion - not only will you receive a low-quality product at an inflated price, but instead of one, a whole crowd of new "sellers" will immediately appear. In addition, you can run into the most real scammers.

From a health point of view, practice good personal hygiene and do not buy food from street stalls. We recommend drinking only bottled water.

Before traveling to Vietnam, vaccinations are not required - there are no raging infections in the country.

Business climate

A couple of decades ago, the prospect of starting a business in Vietnam would hardly have seemed reasonable to a Russian entrepreneur. But times are changing, and nowadays Vietnam is starting to attract foreign investors.

Although Vietnam is a country with a socialist market economy, the state practically does not interfere in the affairs of enterprises of various forms of ownership, if these are not strategic industries. Enterprises with 100% foreign capital are already allowed.

The positive factors for opening an enterprise in Vietnam include the stability of the political situation, cheap labor and a warm climate that does not require additional costs for heating the premises. On the other hand, transporting goods to, say, Russia is not very cheap.

Therefore, most often foreign investors invest not in production, but in the construction of tourist facilities, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.

In general, it is not very easy to open a business in Vietnam. In terms of the complexity of obtaining licenses and the simplicity of the procedure for opening a company, Vietnam ranks 99th in the world. But for a foreigner, given the assistance of local authorities to foreign investments, the process may not be very painful. However, you shouldn't expect easy and quick profits. According to experienced investors, patience is the main thing to stock up on when opening a business in Vietnam.

The property

Vietnam, as a country with a dynamically developing economy and tourist attraction, is bringing its real estate market to the world arena. But for foreigners, the laws are such that they can only buy apartments here. In this case, the following conditions must be observed: marriage with a citizen of Vietnam, permanent residence in the country, investment in the Vietnamese economy. The purchased apartment can only be used for the owner's residence, that is, it cannot be rented out. We add that an apartment can be bought for a period of 50 years, after this time it will have to be sold or donated.

Therefore, investments are considered optimal not in private housing, but in the construction of commercial real estate in the tourism sector. The fact is that now the demand for comfortable hotel complexes in Vietnam exceeds the supply. Until the situation changes, such investments promise high returns in the not too distant future.

When planning a trip to Vietnam, keep customs regulations in mind. There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currency, but the amount of more than $ 3,000 must be declared: it is allowed to export only what has been declared. It is prohibited to export the national currency.

You can import 400 cigarettes or 0.5 kg of tobacco, 3 kg of coffee, 1.5 liters of strong alcohol or 2 liters of low-alcohol drinks, as well as 5 kg of tea. All equipment must be declared, otherwise it will not be possible to export it without paying customs duties. Be sure to pay attention to the list of items prohibited for import into the country: firearms, explosives, pornography, as well as drugs and narcotic drugs without a doctor's prescription. The last point is very serious, since for violation of the prohibition, punishment up to the death penalty is provided! In addition, you cannot export antiques, jewelry and art objects without permits.

Before entering a Buddhist temple, do not forget to leave your shoes outside the threshold and do not turn your back on the temple when leaving it. Photographs of temples and local residents are only allowed after a permit, which usually requires payment.

And the eastern sides are washed by the waters of the South China Sea. The area of ​​the territory occupied by the republic is more than 337 thousand km 2. In total, almost 94 million people live here. 30% of the total population lives in cities. The official language is Vietnamese. A small part of the population speaks French, Russian, English and Chinese.

The cities of Vietnam have the status of central and provincial subordination. There are also communes-communes and administrative units of the first order. In total, there are about 150 cities in Vietnam. All of them are very popular among tourists.

Big cities

The largest cities in Vietnam (the list will be presented below) are important transport and economic centers. There are 5 of them in the state. They have the status of cities of central subordination. Let's take a look at them.

Ho Chi Minh City

This city is the largest in the country. It is located in the south, like some other cities in Vietnam. Covers an area of ​​over 2000 km 2. It was founded in 1698. The most populous city in the country. It is home to about 8 million people. Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 5 rural counties and 19 urban areas. The economic spheres are distributed as follows: services - 51%, construction and industry - 47%, the rest is occupied by fishing, agriculture and forestry.

Hanoi

This city ranks second in terms of population in the state. It is This status was obtained in 1945. It occupies an area of ​​about 3.3 thousand km 2. Vietnam is the main center of politics, culture and education. More than 6.5 million people live here permanently. In the industrial sphere, it ranks second, behind the city of Ho Chi Minh City. Administratively subdivided into 10 urban and 18 rural areas, it also includes one city.

Haiphong

Located in the north of Vietnam. Occupies an area of ​​1.5 thousand km 2. It is a commercial and industrial center. Due to the fact that it was erected on the banks of the Qin'mon River, it is considered a major seaport. It is home to about 2 million people. The economy of this city of Vietnam is based on fishing.

Can Tho

It is the fourth city under the central government. Located in the Mekong Delta. The territory on which the city is built has an area of ​​almost 1.5 thousand km 2. More than 1.2 million people live permanently in Can Tho. It is the main center of tourism. Large universities operate here. There is an airport and a river port. Internally subdivided into 5 urban and 4 rural areas.

Da Nang

The last major city in Vietnam. It is located in the central part of the country and has access to the South China Sea. Occupies an area of ​​1.2 thousand km 2. It is a port city. The population living in it is about 900 thousand people. It is subdivided into 6 urban areas and 1 rural county, it also includes one island archipelago.

Top cities in Vietnam

But there are others in the country, not so large, but very beautiful settlements.

  • Hoi An.

Hoi An is located in the central part of the state. A large number of tourists visit it every year. They are attracted here not only by the beach vacation, but also by the numerous attractions. The city is called an open-air museum. In total, there are about 800 buildings of historical importance here. The infrastructure in Hoi An is developed at the highest level. There are numerous shops selling souvenirs. The city became famous all over the world for shoes and hats of its own manufacture. It is believed that these things are much better than Italian ones.

  • Dalat.

The city of Dalat is not inferior in beauty to Hoi An. It is located in the southern part of the central plateau. Compared to other cities in Vietnam, Dalat is very different from them. The streets are very clean, merchants and taxi drivers do not bother tourists. Due to its location, Dalat is a mountain resort. There are practically no historical sights in it, but the natural beauty will amaze anyone who comes here. There are unique picturesque valleys covered with evergreen forests, beautiful waterfalls and lakes, there are numerous natural parks in the city.

  • Phan Thiet.

Phan Thiet is a city located in the south of the state. The main spheres of the economy are tourism and fishing. Located on the coast of the South China Sea, it is a resort town. There are many beautiful sights here. The uniqueness of this area is given by the multi-colored dunes. This spectacle is striking in its magnificence. There are also Kega Lighthouse, Buddha statue and Poshanu Cham towers.

Talking about the beautiful cities in Vietnam, one cannot remain silent about Hue. First of all, it is an important economic, cultural, political and educational center. It was previously the imperial capital. The city is interesting for its rich history. A lot of sights have been preserved here. You can find objects of ancient architecture, natural monuments, pagodas and churches.

Coastal towns

Given the peculiarities of the state, there are many coastal cities. Almost all of them have the status of a resort. The first one that deserves attention is the city of Nha Trang (Vietnam). It is the largest and most popular resort in the country. There are equipped beaches within the city limits; the length of the coastline is about 6 km. Various entertainment events are arranged for tourists. You can not only relax but also improve your health with healing springs and mud. The air here is saturated with the fumes of eucalyptus groves, which have a positive effect on the respiratory system and restore weakened immunity.

Also, the list of "Resort cities of Vietnam" is replenished with:

  • Doshon (popular with the Chinese);
  • Thanoa (famous all over the world);
  • Vung Tau (visited not only by foreigners, but also by local residents);
  • and Kon Dao.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in southern Vietnam with an area of ​​2,000 square meters. km. Until 1975, the city was called Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City is located on the coast of the Saigon River, thanks to which it is now an iconic port city of all of Southeast Asia.

The city was founded in the 18th century. Today, the city is a stronghold of modern civilization with a huge number of foreigners, many skyscrapers under construction, which appear in Ho Chi Minh City thanks to foreign investment. But despite the entire modern appearance of the city, it still radiates its unique pristine atmosphere. Here you can see beautiful alleys and streets with houses that were built by the French, there is the beautiful Cathedral of Notre Dame de Saigon (built in 1877), the Temple of the Jade Emperor, as well as many Hindu temples and mosques. This city is home to some of Vietnam's finest restaurants, great hotels and nightlife clubs. The busiest quarter of the city is Cholon.

To feel the fullness of the uniqueness of the entire atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City, you should definitely visit the Vinh Ngiem Pagoda, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon, the Historical Museum and the Museum of Military History, the main zoological park of the country.

An unforgettable experience remains from visiting the Lotus Lake Park (Dam Sheen), it is rightfully considered the largest cultural and entertainment center in Ho Chi Minh City. There is a small copy of the Jacques Vien pagoda and a lake similar to the western lake, which is located in Hanoi. Also in the park you can visit the water park, sports center, bird garden and Nam Tu garden, watch a doll show.

The Ku Chi network of underground tunnels (about 200 km) deserves special attention; they were created during the partisan campaign in Vietnam. The tunnels are located underground in several levels with many entrances, weapons depots, living quarters, field hospitals, kitchens and command centers. The tunnels were of great importance to the Vietnamese military and helped to achieve ultimate military success against American forces.

Haiphong is a large city in the northern part of Vietnam. While vacationing in this city, you can just relax, or you can arrange a good shopping or visit the sights. Haiphong is surrounded by many seaside resorts, among which the most popular are Fr. Catba, Baitulong Bay, Halong Bay.

The main square of the city is decorated with a beautiful theater. The Haiphong Theater attracts tourists with its French architecture, the building of the theater was built in 1904 by the French. A feature of the theater is the fact that all the building materials needed for the construction were brought from France. Now all the festivities held in Haiphong take place in the square in front of the theater. At a distance of half a kilometer from the theater, you can see the Nghe Temple. The temple was built in honor of the female leader Le Chang (one of the three Chang sisters).

Catba Island is the largest island in Halong Bay, and the Catba Biosphere Reserve is located here, it is included in the UNESCO heritage list. This reserve is home to fifteen species of the rarest mammals, including wild boars, deer and François monkeys. In this national park, you can visit the caves, one of which was a secret object during the war with the Americans and served as a hospital. The reserve is also unique in that it is a migration site for geese, ducks and plovers. These waterfowl nest here.

Hue is located in the center of the country. Until 1945, the city was the capital of the feudal lords of the Nguyen dynasty. Hue is an important center of the country's political, economic and cultural life. This city will be of interest to any traveler and tourist from the point of view of architectural heritage - the city has more than three hundred ancient architectural monuments, including citadels, palaces and mausoleums. The ensemble of the city's monuments has been protected by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Program since 1993.

Local chefs are the best at preparing any national Vietnamese dish.

The city is packed with must-see attractions. To this day, Fort Mangka with the walls of the Kinh Thanh citadel is a military base; It will be interesting to see the Palace of Supreme Harmony (built in 1805) and the architecture of the seven-tiered Tienmu Pagoda (built in 1601) with the tower and bell Dai-Hong-Chung. Also famous local attractions are the 1845 Bao Tang Ku Wat Imperial Museum, Taihoa Palace, Cathedral of the Savior, Chang Tien Bridge (especially in summer) and the unique Tyhyu and Tydam Pagodas.

The most important attraction, which the guides will tell you about, will be the Forbidden City (also called Purple) - Ty Kam Thanh. This city in ancient times existed for the imperial family. There is something to see in it - the offices of the emperor and the court doctor, a hall intended for meditation, a pavilion for contemplation, and of course, the royal cuisine, which has also survived to this day.

It is worth taking some time to visit the famous Tombs of the Emperors, which are very reminiscent of cities in miniature. Especially worth noting is the imperial mausoleum of Hai Dinh, which is located near the city. This mausoleum was erected on the top of a hill, a wall was built around it using pieces of colored glass and porcelain, and it is also noticeably smaller than the rest. The architecture of the mausoleum is impressive - it is a mix of European and Vietnamese architectural traditions.

Another exciting excursion in this city is a visit to the Bachma National Park, which is located just 40 kilometers to the south. The park is named after the highest mountain on its territory - Bachma, which rises 1,145 meters above sea level. In the early 30s of the last century, savvy Frenchmen began to beautify this place, which eventually became a spa resort. Today, the park is home to more than 30 species of animals that are listed in the Red Book, and there is also a huge amount of vegetation introduced from the north and south of the country. The park is also unique in that it is home to about 59 species of bats.

Another traditional, but very interesting excursion walk is riding on beautiful boats with ancient ornaments, along the Huong River, which is also called Fragrant because of the pleasant smell of plants, especially in autumn.

This resort town is famous throughout the world for the fine, soft and clean sand of China Beach. Since 1992, this beach has traditionally hosted the international surfing championship. The best time for surfers in these places starts in September and lasts until December. Da Nang is located in Central Vietnam on the coast of the South China Sea. Be sure to pay attention to such sights as the marble mountains Ngu-Nan-Son, located eight kilometers from Da Nang, the Linh Ung pagoda, in which you can see traditional Buddha statues and the statue of the woman Buddha, the Tam-Thai pagoda, as well as the Tyam towers of Mai Son and Museum of the ancient people of Vietnam Cham.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a resort town known for its snow-white seven-kilometer beach area. The beaches in this resort are almost all municipal. There is something to see here: countless small islets, beautiful coral reefs, emerald bays. You can fly to this resort from Ho Chi Minh City in just an hour. There is also a clinic specializing in mud and mineral water treatment.

It is best to start your acquaintance with Nha Trang with a sightseeing tour, the program of which includes visits to the Long Son Pagoda, Po Nagar Tower, a trip to Cape Honchong, a trip to the Cathedral, a visit to the Oceanographic Institute and the colorful Dam Market. It is also worth looking at Chi Nguyen Island with its aquarium and Monkey Island.

Holy land Michonne

When traveling in Vietnam, be sure to take the time to visit the holy land of Michonne. Once upon a time this place was the center of the Champa Empire (VII-XVII centuries) and occupied the territory of modern central and southern Vietnam. Michon in those days was a temple sanctuary, consisting of 70 religious buildings, only 25 of them have survived to this day, some of them are very badly destroyed. The inhabitants of Champa built towers on rectangular and square foundations. The sacred meaning of such buildings was invested in the architectural style: the foundation meant the world of people, the tower represented the world of spirits, the top of the towers - the space between these two worlds.

Traditionally, buildings were built from sandstone and baked bricks. Since at that time the Champa religion was under the direct influence of Hinduism, the architecture of the buildings accordingly bore the character of the triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Any surviving Champa religious building is decorated with the image of Shiva, who was the central face of the cult.

In these places you can also visit clubs, bars, restaurants, spas, and everyone who is not indifferent to outdoor activities has the opportunity to get carried away by snorkeling, diving, fishing and visit an amusement park.

Not far from Ho Chi Minh City, about a three-hour drive away, you can visit a quiet and calm resort town, which is surrounded by picturesque palm and pine plantations, as well as sand dunes. This place is ideal for families with children and those who enjoy surfing. The beaches are well equipped, the sand is white and fine, and the waves are strong.

Here you can visit the Buddhist center with the largest reclining Buddha in Vietnam, the length of the statue is 49 meters. You should also pay attention to the Rum Island, be sure to visit the Binchau mineral springs and Lake Lotosov.

Phu Quoc

Among the 22 islands of the Phu Quoc group, it is the largest, and is located an hour's flight from Ho Chi Minh City. This island is known for its affordable diving prices and clean beaches. Do not forget about the excellent service and pleasant temperature conditions, which are important for a good rest.

All types of sea excursions are traditionally widespread here: Robinson's Day; fishing, snorkeling and coral hunting; evening fishing. Prices for group excursions are very encouraging. There is also an opportunity to visit no less interesting excursions to the National Park or the "Coconut Prison".

The most exciting excursion trips include a bicycle trip to the village of folk crafts. The route of this excursion will run through a black pepper plantation, then a visit to a fish sauce production, and finally a hunting dog farm.

For diving enthusiasts, a visit to the local diving center, which was opened in 2002, is a must. Note that the prices for diving and diving instructors in Vietnam are the most democratic in the world. Professional divers are most likely to dive near Duong Dong and in the southern archipelago.

Dalat is located at an altitude of 1,475 meters above sea level on the Lubang high plateau of central Vietnam. The city was founded by the French and served as a refuge from the summer heat; the city is also often called "Little Paris". Dalat is loved by both locals and tourists - it is located in a picturesque area surrounded by pine forests, lakes, waterfalls and natural parks.

Dalat has a lot of unique and interesting places that are worth visiting while vacationing in this city. The main attraction of the city is Xuan Huong Lake, which is located in the center of the resort and is surrounded by the rest of Dalat's attractions. You can visit the residence of the French governor Dinh Toan Quen, then the summer palace of the last emperor of Vietnam Bao Dai, and of course the romantic sights - Dalat flower gardens Vyon Hoa Dalat and the Valley of Love.

Near the central market of Dalat, you can see a mini-copy of the Eiffel Tower, which reminds of the French culture in these places. You can also visit the funicular connecting Dalat and the Cham towers.

Lovers of active sports can be carried away by playing golf - on excellent fields, horse riding, boating, swimming in the lake. Not far from the lake, on Mira Square, you can go for leisurely souvenir shopping, have a bite to eat in cafes, visit markets and cinemas.

Halong

A modern resort town with a developed infrastructure. Halong is built on a dam that connects the two peninsulas. Driving along the embankment, you can see restaurants, shops, luxury houses, hotels, spas, nightclubs. The resort's beaches are man-made and you cannot dive there. The water off the coast is always warm.

While vacationing in this resort, you should visit the local caves, which are innumerable on the islands, and each has its own legend. The caves traditionally visited by tourists are called: the heavenly palace, the cave of wooden pillars, Kuang Han. You can buy excursions to the islands of Tuan Chau and Catba, go to Mount Bai Ho, which is famous for the fact that a poem glorifying its natural beauty is carved on it.

This resort city is also called the Vietnamese Riviera. It is located 128 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. You can get to Vung Tau by boat or car. The boat departs on schedule several times a day from the central pier of Ho Chi Minh City.

This resort town with a very well-developed infrastructure and densely built-up coastline - restaurants, boarding houses (located in the buildings of former luxury villas). But there is a fly in the ointment for this piece of paradise - there are petty thefts on the beaches, as well as coastal waters are polluted due to working drilling platforms.

There are also popular places for recreation in this city - these are two small hills. On Mount Nyo stands a monumental 32-meter statue of Jesus Christ, who, with outstretched arms (like the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro), blesses the South China Sea.

For beach lovers, there are wonderful places - these are the Peredny, Zadniy and Shelkovichny islands. It is also worth visiting the rocky beach of Roche Noir, which is unusual for these places.

For those who prefer to actively spend their holidays, you should visit the largest Buddhist temple in Vietnam Niet Bat Tinh Sa, the Hon Ba temple, the former royal residence of Bat Dinh, the Chup Fap Hoa pagoda. For eco-tourists, it will be interesting to visit the Thit-Ka-Fat-Dai park, the Ming Darm caves, visit the Dia Dao tunnels and visit the Hai Dang lighthouse, from which a magnificent panorama of the peninsula opens.

Vietnam is a state in Southeast Asia, located on the Indochina Peninsula and washed from the east and south by the South China Sea. The country is officially called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The neighboring states of Vietnam are Laos and Cambodia, with which Vietnam borders in the west, as well as China, the border with which lies in the north. The total area of ​​the country is 331,212 square kilometers, which is only 65th in the world. B O Most of Vietnam is occupied by low or medium-high mountains and plateaus. The highest point of the country is Mount Fansipan (3143 meters) of the Hoanglien Son mountain range. In addition, the largest Indo-Chinese rivers Mekong and Hongha flow through Vietnam, which flow into the South China Sea.

For a long time, Vietnam was an Indo-Chinese colony of France and achieved independence only in the middle of the 20th century - this happened in 1945, although armed clashes continued on the territory of the country for several more years. Vietnam is also the scene of the 1965-1973 war with the United States, which cost many people on both sides.

Modern Vietnam is a socialist state that has chosen the Chinese version of development - modernization and liberalization of the economy. As of 2016, the population of Vietnam is 94,569,072 people.

Visa

To enter Vietnam for more than 15 days, citizens of the Russian Federation need to have a visa obtained at the Vietnam Consulate; you can also apply for a visa right upon arrival.

In order to obtain a visa at the consulate, you need to provide the following documents: foreign passport (minimum validity period - 6 months from the end of the trip); 2 photographs measuring 4 × 6 cm; 2 questionnaires completed in Russian, English or French; invitation, travel voucher or reservation. The visa is issued within 5 working days, and its validity period is 30 days. In addition, there is a US $ 25 consular fee.

When obtaining a visa directly at the border, at a Vietnamese airport, you need to provide 2 photos of 3 × 4 size, one completed application form, as well as a visa permit from the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, which is issued within 5-7 working days. Upon arrival, citizens must go to the "Visa on arrival" window, and from this moment the rest in Vietnam begins.

Among other things, the visa indicates the points of entry and exit through which a guest of the country can cross the border. To change the indicated location, you must contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. This service is paid.

If the period of stay in Vietnam does not exceed 15 days, then Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa. In addition, similar rules apply in neighboring Laos and Cambodia (in Cambodia, a visa can be obtained without problems at the border), so after a 15-day stay in Vietnam, you can leave for one of the neighboring countries, and then return again for 15 days. Often, when entering Vietnam for a period of less than 15 days, border guards may require you to present a ticket to leave the country - this is prescribed by the rules, but not always fulfilled.

Customs regulations

When entering Vietnam, certain customs regulations apply. So, an unlimited number of foreign convertible currency can be imported into the country, but if the amount exceeds $ 3,000, then the currency must be declared, since no more than the declared amount can be exported from the country.

It is also possible to carry, without paying a duty, the following goods: maximum 1.5 liters of strong alcohol or 2 liters of beverages with a maximum alcohol content of 22 degrees; either 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 500 grams of tobacco; 5 kilograms of tea; maximum 3 kilograms of coffee, as well as two cans of black or red caviar weighing not more than 100 grams. In addition, other goods are also transported, the total value of which does not exceed 5 million VND (Vietnamese dong).

As in other countries of Southeast Asia, the punishment for attempting to smuggle drugs is the most severe - up to the death penalty. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to transport medicines containing narcotic substances without the permission of doctors to use them, as well as explosives, firearms, pornographic products or offending local culture.

Current time in Hanoi:
(UTC 0)

Upon arrival, all tourists undergo sanitary and epidemiological control, and on board the aircraft they fill out the Declaration of Health. If, when passing the control, the visitor does not show any symptoms of diseases such as AIDS, plague, tuberculosis, cholera, yellow fever and others, then no problems will arise. Otherwise, the tourist is waiting for treatment in one of the local hospitals, and not a full rest in Vietnam.

How to get there

It is relatively easy to get to Vietnam from Russia - several airlines operate regular flights at once, but the list of Russian cities from where you can fly directly to Vietnam is small - this is Moscow, Novosibirsk and Vladivostok. However, during the tourist season (winter months) charter flights are also carried out from other cities, for example, from Yekaterinburg (sometimes), St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk.

You can fly directly from Moscow to the largest Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City using Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines flights.

Aeroflot operates direct flights from Sheremetyevo airport to Hanoi, Noi Bai airport. The flight is very long, so passengers are provided with meals twice. On the way, the airplane overcomes almost the entire Asian continent - Central Asia, India, etc. The time in the air is 9 and a half hours.

From Domodedovo Airport, regular flights to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are operated by Vietnamese Airlines, the country's main air carrier. In Ho Chi Minh City, planes land at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Boeings of "Vietnam Airlines" have all the conditions for a long comfortable flight, including many technical devices such as screens mounted in the backs of seats, etc. During the flight, all passengers are offered hot meals twice, as well as a certain amount of alcohol. It is also worth noting that Vietnam Airlines has special fares for residents of other Russian cities, which can make it much easier to get to Vietnam by connecting at Moscow Domodedovo airport (if flying from Vladivostok, connecting in Seoul).

Representative office in Moscow: Moscow, Frunzenskaya 3-ya st., 1, building 1., tel. 5892450, fax 5892552. Office at Domodedovo airport: room. 512, 5th floor, working hours 14.00-20.00, tel. 9268661, fax 9268661, E-mail: [email protected].

The airline "S7" ("Siberia") also has regular flights to Vietnam, the city of Ho Chi Minh, but not from Moscow, but from Novosibirsk. Aircraft fly every two weeks.

You can fly from Vladivostok to the capital of Vietnam, the city of Hanoi, by aircraft of the Vladivostok-Avia airline. The frequency of flights is once a week, and the flight itself lasts a little over 5 hours.

Connecting flights

From Russia to Hanoi

  • Airline "Hong Kong Airlines" from Moscow with a transfer in Hong Kong.

From Russia to Ho Chi Minh City

  • Airline "Cathay Pacific" from Moscow with a transfer in Hong Kong.
  • Airline "Thai" from Moscow with a transfer in Bangkok.
  • Airline "Qatar Airways" from Moscow with a transfer in Doha. Often, Qatar Airlines is bribed with very favorable fares.
  • Airline "Asiana" from Khabarovsk and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with a transfer in Seoul (Incheon airport).
  • Airlines "Korean Air" from Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Moscow and St. Petersburg with a transfer in Seoul (Incheon airport).
  • Airline "Japan Airlines" from Moscow with a transfer to Tokyo (Narita airport).

There are more difficult options - with two transfers. However, during periods of airline sales, it makes sense to use them because of the attractive prices. For example, you can get to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by Air France from Moscow and St. Petersburg with transfers in Paris and Bangkok.

It is worth remembering that long flights are associated with a certain risk to the health of passengers who do not tolerate such loads poorly.

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Climate and weather in Vietnam

So that your vacation in Vietnam is not spoiled by weather conditions, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the climatic data for the country. The climate in Vietnam is tropical monsoon, so the humidity is quite high - an average of 84% throughout the year. However, the climate often differs markedly from region to region. This happens due to the difference in latitudes and in the features of the relief of a particular area. The winter dry season, which lasts from November to April, is only dry compared to the rainy season, as there is sufficient rainfall during these months, thanks to the monsoon winds blowing from the northeastern coast of China. In the southern regions of the country, it is quite hot in winter - about 25 degrees, while in the north it is on average 10 degrees colder. The lowest temperatures are in December and January, sometimes reaching only 1 degree above zero. In any case, it is most comfortable in the south of the country, where in any of the seasons the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees, and in April - the hottest month - sometimes even reaches 37 degrees.

Average annual rainfall ranges from 1200-3000 millimeters per year, with 90% of all rainfall occurring between May and October. At this time, each region of the country receives its portion of precipitation, but in the winter months in the south of Vietnam, the probability of rain is much less than in the north. It is also worth knowing that at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the time of typhoons comes, often having truly destructive power.

Cities and regions

Vietnam consists of 59 fairly small provinces, plus there are 4 cities of central subordination - these are the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong and Da Nang. The most economically developed provinces are located in the northeast of the country, which is not so popular among tourists, as well as in the south of the country in the area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City.

Administrative divisions of Vietnam

Provinces of vietnam

Laiteau
Lao Cai
Hau Giang
Caobang
Dien Bien
Shonla
Yen Bai
Tuen Quang
Buck Kahn
Lang Son
Futo
Vinh Fook
Thai nguyen
Bak ziang
Bak ninh
Hai Duong
Quang Ninh
Hung Yen
Haiphong city
Thaibin
Ha Nam
Nam Dinh
Ninh Binh
Hoa Binh
Thanh Hoa
Nghean
Hating
Quang Binh
Quang Tri
Tua Thien Hue
Quang Nam
Kontum
Quang Ngai
Zia Lai
Bin ding
Fu Yen
Duck Lac
Khanh Hoa
Duck Nong
Lam dong
Ninh Thuan
Binh Thuan
Binh Phuoc
Dong Nai
Baria-Vung Tau
Tai Nin
Binh Duong
Long An
Tienziang
Dong Thap
Vinh Long
Benche
Canto
Hau Giang
Chavin
An Giang
Shokchang
Buckleu
Kien Ziang
Kamau

Major cities and islands of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City - the largest city in Vietnam and the economic capital of the country. A lot of industries are developed here; it is estimated that 40% of Vietnamese exports come from Ho Chi Minh City. The city was founded by the French colonialists in 1874 (the official date of foundation is March 15, 1874). Until 1975, the city was called Saigon.

Nha Trang

The city of Nha Trang is the capital of Khanh Hoa province and at the same time the capital of beach holidays in Vietnam. Quite simply - the most popular resort in the country. Nha Trang is home to about 200,000 people, and almost all of the life of local residents is associated with the tourism industry.

Halong

Halong is both a city and a bay. The city itself is nothing special, and Halong Bay is the real pearl of this area and the whole of Vietnam. This bay is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Surprisingly, over an area of ​​1,500 square kilometers, more than 1,600 islets and rocks of various shapes, sometimes very bizarre, are scattered, which makes the bay more like a fabulous than a real place. No wonder Halong Bay is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam.

Phu Quoc

The Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc is located in the Gulf of Thailand, just 15 kilometers from the coast of neighboring Cambodia. The island, whose area reaches 567 square kilometers, is also called the "island of 99 mountains". Fukuoka is home to 85,000 people, mostly employed in tourism or agriculture.

What to see

By clicking on the links in the text, you can get more detailed information about a specific object (description, location on the map, cost of entrance tickets, opening hours, ways to get there, photos, reviews of tourists, etc.). If you are interested in the sights of Vietnam in general, without dividing into cities, there is a special section for this.

Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City, you can see many interesting buildings - colonial buildings, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon, Buddhist temples and pagodas, the Presidential Palace, mosques and much more.

In addition, from Ho Chi Minh City itself, you can easily get to the neighboring Tai Ninh province, where there are many beautiful Caodai temples, as well as to the Mekong Delta region.

As for the sights, there are several very interesting places for tourists in the central part of the city. And if you come to Ho Chi Minh City in the summer, from mid-May to the end of August, you can find "Southern Fruit Festival" held here every year.

Nha Trang

Among the attractions of Nha Trang, it is necessary to highlight the Long Son Pagoda, behind which, on the top of the hill, there is a large stone statue of Buddha sitting on a lotus flower. You can also look at the Chamov towers of the 13th century, which were built during the era of the Champa state. It is also possible to swim with an excursion to Monkey Island, located 12 kilometers north of Hon Che Island. The excursion includes a cruise around the islands, fishing, a visit to the Bajo waterfall, mud and mineral springs, local craft villages. If you wish, you can visit the Circus of Dogs and Monkeys, the Circus of Elephants and Bears and much more on the island.

Halong

An obligatory item on the program is a boat trip or some other ship around the islands. At the marina in the city, you can find out in detail about all possible routes, which can be either short or long, and even include an overnight stay on the ship. The usual excursion includes a visit to a fishing village on one of the islands, a cave, as well as an island named after German Titov, the famous Soviet cosmonaut who rested here in the 70s. You can also do night fishing directly from the boat, which, however, must be ordered in advance. But then you can enjoy the taste of your own catch yourself! Popular islands in Halong Bay are Tuan Chau and Catba islands.

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc has many beautiful beaches stretching from Duong Dong town to An Thoi town. The island has many beautiful hills and mountains covered with rainforest. In addition, in Fukuoka, you can watch the sunset at sea, which cannot be done in other resorts in Vietnam that face to the east.

Resorts of Vietnam

Tourists in Vietnam, first of all, will be interested in its numerous beaches and warm sea, and only then the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and everything else. There are plenty of resort towns in the country. Of course, not all of them correspond to the European level of quality, equipment and infrastructure. It is noteworthy that the resorts stretch along the entire coast of Vietnam - from the southern Phu Quoc Island to the Mongkai resort in the north of the country.

The waters of the South China Sea are quite salty - saltier than in the neighboring Gulf of Thailand, but at the same time they are healthier. At the confluence of rivers (especially the Mekong and Krasnaya), the water is fresher.

sights

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Leisure

Transport

Shops and Markets

Wellness holiday

Private guides in Vietnam

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Vietnam in more detail.
The project Experts.Tourister.Ru is registered.

Traveling around the country

In Vietnam, one can find and use all modern modes of transport in varying quantities - from domestic planes to intercity buses and taxis. Some of them are very well developed, some are not enough, but in some cases they can be irreplaceable. In any case, it is possible to get even to remote places in Vietnam, even if you have to make several transfers from one mode of transport to another, or, say, from one bus route to another.

The following types of transport are developed in the country: air transport, rail transport, buses, water passenger transport and various types of taxis. You can find recommendations on how to get around the country and learn more about each type of Vietnamese transport in our special material "Transport in Vietnam: from a motor scooter to an airplane".

Communication

Vietnamese is part of the Vietnamese group of the Australo-Asian language family and is the mother tongue of the Viet and Kinh people. Neighboring China has had a great influence on the Vietnamese language and culture: two-thirds of the words in Vietnamese are of Chinese origin.

For tourists, it is very convenient that instead of hieroglyphs, the Vietnamese language uses the Latin alphabet, albeit with the addition of diacritical marks under or above the letter in the vowels, which denote a particular tone. Due to the fact that Vietnamese speech has a huge number of tones and semitones, it is very difficult to perceive it by ear. At the same time, the Vietnamese themselves have problems with the correct pronunciation of European words. It is often very difficult to make out that a Vietnamese speaks English.

English is the most widely spoken foreign language among the locals, which, however, is not surprising. It is studied at school, at universities, on courses, etc. Also, in educational institutions in Vietnam, Chinese is taught - the second most popular foreign language after English. English and Chinese are followed by French, Russian and German, but they are much less common. So, Russian is most often known by adults who studied at the universities of the USSR, as well as Vietnamese merchants who returned from Russia, but their level of language proficiency is very low. Recently, due to the increase in the number of tourists from Russia in resort areas, local residents are slowly beginning to master the Russian language.

The culture

Throughout its centuries-old history, Vietnamese culture has been subjected to numerous influences from its powerful neighbors or the metropolis, but each time melting them into something peculiar and unique in its own way. India and China play a special role in the development of Vietnamese culture. China introduced into the Vietnamese language more than half of the words and hieroglyphic writing (replaced by the Latin alphabet in the 20th century), and Confucianism and elements of Taoism into the culture. In addition, in the Middle Ages, the influence of Indian culture was noticeable, and later, after the colonization of Vietnam by the French, and the French. This was reflected, in particular, in the architecture of many cities, especially Ho Chi Minh City. In the second half of the 20th century, with the coming to power of the Communists, many elements of culture began to be borrowed from the Soviet Union.

Vietnamese literature has a rich history - from ancient folklore, including the legend of the Dragon King Lac Long Quan, the Muong epic "The Birth of Water and the Birth of the Earth" and to books of the 20th century, similar in themes to European literature. The most significant writers in the history of Vietnam, Nguyen Chai in the 15th century, Nguyen Binh Khiem in the 16th century, and Nguyen Dhu at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, worked in New Time. Nguyen Chai is one of the first major Vietnamese writers, as well as an eminent statesman and philosopher. Nguyen Binh Khiem was an outstanding poet with a world outlook close to Taoism, and Nguyen Zu, who wrote the poems "The Wail of a Tormented Soul" and "The Narrative of Kieu", is as significant a figure in Vietnam as Pushkin is in Russia.

Vietnamese folk music is quite original. A large number of vocal genres can be surprising, and among the main musical instruments one can distinguish an amazing disc-like guitar, which can be either four or five strings, and is also given there (three-stringed guitar), given not (a violin with only two strings ) and om dit is a Vietnamese bamboo flute.

In Vietnam, theater is popular, represented in several curious genres. Theo is an ancient folk theater, which at one time originated among the peasants who lived in the delta of the Krasnaya River. Today it exists in the provinces of Thaibin and Haihung. Theatrical performances include folk music and the use of traditional folklore subjects.

The Vietnamese opera is called Tuong. Tuong originated in a courtly atmosphere and is considered a high theatrical genre that combines dance, music, pantomime, poetry, acrobatic arts and much more. By the way, there are no decorations on the stage, and a heroic character is always in the center of the performance.

Especially interesting is the water puppet theater, which has no analogues in the world. It also originated in the Krasnaya River delta. The dolls move on the water during sunset, and the whole action is accompanied by pleasant melodic music. The dolls are controlled by actors standing up to their waist in the water, hidden behind a bamboo screen, so that they have the opportunity to observe the dolls. The performances begin with the appearance of the boy-doll Tau, who says: “Hello everyone! I probably don't need to introduce myself? "

Kitchen

Vietnam is a gourmet paradise. The culinary traditions of this country amaze with their richness and variety of dishes and ingredients. Many recipes were borrowed from China, India and France, however, it is by no means possible to say that Vietnamese cuisine is a clone of any of them.

A variety of sauces and seasonings are widely used in Vietnamese cuisine. By the way, dishes prepared only from fresh products often contain spices of garlic, onion and ginger root, as well as purely Vietnamese sauces "nyok mam" and "nyok cham". Various herbs and even bamboo are very popular in Vietnam, the young shoots of which are readily eaten.

The most popular foods used in Vietnamese cuisine are rice, seafood, pork, noodles, herbs, and more.

It is especially worth focusing on rice. This culture is one of the symbols of all of Southeast Asia, and Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice in the world. In addition, in Vietnam, they refused to grow genetically modified rice, so there is no doubt about the quality of the product. In every Vietnamese family, rice is the main dish on the table, but in addition, it is part of countless of the most amazing and original recipes.

In Vietnam, vegetarian cuisine is also developed, which is explained, first of all, by Buddhist gastronomic traditions. Among the Vietnamese non-meat dishes, one can distinguish rice with fried dou-fu soy curd and rau vegetables. In general, soy and soy products in Vietnamese cuisine are replacing dairy products, which are practically not used among Vietnamese. There is, for example, a special soy milk called sya-dau-nan. Soy sauce is very popular.

Various fruits are widely used, which grow in abundance on the territory of Vietnam. These are coconuts, durian, guayava, lemons, litchi, Javanese apple, Siamese persimmon, papaya, rambutan and many other exotic fruits.

As for meat dishes, the Vietnamese usually eat the familiar beef, pork and poultry. Various insects or reptiles are now considered rare delicacies that are not served in every restaurant.

In general, Vietnamese cuisine is rich in exotic meat. For example, you can taste boa constrictor meat, which is considered extremely healthy. Or try a snake dish, which is a whole ritual-like action that can really shock those who are especially impressionable. The waiter makes a small incision on the still living snake, then removes the heart from it and drains the blood. The person who ordered the dish eats the beating heart of a snake and drinks rice vodka mixed with snake blood. After that, vodka is used, mixed with snake bile. After a while, a ready-made dish is served - snake meat fried with spices and nuts. The snake's head is cut off during cooking so that the poison cannot get into the dish.

Other exotics include dishes from field rats, dogs, cats (although they are officially banned) and many other amazing ingredients.

Purchases

Shopping is an indispensable part of any vacation. Somewhere it is developed so that it seems that there is nowhere to develop further, but somewhere in terms of purchases, everything is not in the best way. Vietnam is somewhere in the middle, with a tilt towards the first group. Shopping here is not on the same level as in neighboring Thailand, but with the growing number of tourists there are good reasons for quality development. Moreover, Vietnam has something to offer its guests.

Connection

For calls to other countries in Vietnam, there are special telephone booths, as well as street payphones. Residents of hotels have the opportunity to make calls directly from there, but this is quite expensive.

Vietnam's international code is 84.

  • For calls from Vietnam to Russia, you need to dial: 007 - area code - subscriber number
  • For calls from Russia to Vietnam, you need to dial: 8-10-84 - area code - subscriber number

Major city codes

  • Hanoi - 4
  • Ho Chi Minh City - 8
  • Haiphong - 32
  • Da Nang - 511
  • Hue - 54

There are no problems with cellular communications, since all three largest Russian operators - MTS, Beeline and Megafon - have agreements with Vietnamese companies. Vietnamese operators: MobiFone, VinaFone, S-Fone, G-Tel, Vietnamobile, Viettel Mobile. A Vietnamese operator's SIM card costs about $ 5, which includes 30 minutes of conversation.

Useful phone numbers

In addition, almost all hotels offer Internet access. Some of them have Wi-Fi. There are many Internet cafes in large and resort towns.

Economy

Safety

The crime rate in Vietnam, according to Interpol, is very low, since the existing political regime in the country is quite successful in dealing with organized crime. Robberies or murders are extremely rare. One of the most serious crimes that a tourist in Vietnam can face is pickpocketing, which occurs more or less regularly. Therefore, it is recommended not to carry cash and documents in the back pockets of your trousers. The best option is to keep them in a safe at the hotel, and carry a small amount of money and a photocopy of your passport with you. In addition, tourists should be careful when calculating, as Vietnamese sometimes do not mind fooling visitors.

You need to be careful when dealing with local "priestesses of love" who often do not mind taking advantage of their clients' wallets. Foreigners can only gamble in special establishments, and an attempt to involve local residents in them may result in criminal prosecution. Everything related to drugs is especially severely punished - storage, distribution, use. The punishments in this case are the most severe, up to the death penalty. This is a traditional practice in Southeast Asian countries.

Tourists should exercise discretion while on holiday. In particular, this applies to the use of alcohol, since a tourist in Vietnam who has gone overboard can easily get into trouble, become a victim of a robbery, etc. When swimming, you should watch out for the ocean surf, which can become a source of danger. In the period from September to November, typhoons and severe flooding in some parts of the country often approach Vietnam.

As for healthcare issues, before coming to Vietnam, you need to take care of the issue of obtaining medical insurance (regular or extended). You can also pay a fee to International SOS and use the medical services they provide at branches in Vietnam. The address in Hanoi is 31 Hai Ba Trung in the central part of the city. Phone - 9340555.

In the Vietnamese province, the sanitary conditions are not very good - both in local hospitals and in hotels. Almost everywhere, doctors are paid for their services only in cash, and treatment under policies is carried out only in some of the capital's clinics. True, it should be noted that prices in Vietnam are lower than in neighboring Thailand.

You need to be careful when ordering Vietnamese cuisine, which is quite unusual for Europeans due to its pungency, abundance of spices and exotic products. If you overestimate your strength, then problems with the stomach and intestines are likely.

Where to stay

Vietnam will delight all visitors with a large selection of accommodation options - there are not only many hotels and guesthouses, but also a wide range of prices, and the level of service is quite high. In addition, Vietnamese hotels have a unique Asian flavor that adds color to the entire holiday. In total, Vietnam has about 11 thousand hotels, while not experiencing a serious shortage of guests.

Cheap accommodation options are hotels of 2 and 3 stars, which correspond in quality to Turkish hotels of 3 and 4 stars, so many experts rightly point out that the class of Vietnamese hotels is somewhat underestimated. 2-star hotels are usually located in old 4-6-storey buildings, well finished inside. The rooms have a bathroom or shower with hot water, air conditioning, satellite TV and even a minibar. three-star hotels occupy more modern and larger buildings, and the level of service and equipment in them is quite high. Prices in hotels of categories 2 and 3 stars are about 15-40 dollars per night.

An even more budget option are guesthouses, where prices are often below $ 10, and the number of them in tourist places is truly enormous. In Ho Chi Minh City, for example, many guesthouses and cheap hotels can be found in Pham Niu Lao, which is considered to be a backpacker district. True, it is not a fact that there will be hot water in cheap guesthouses and hotels.

In resort cities, in particular in Nha Trang, accommodation is likely to be more expensive than in the capitals. Many tourists come to these cities, they are not well versed in the intricacies of the Vietnamese tour business and, moreover, are able to easily part with large sums of money. For such tourists, there are luxury 4- and 5-star hotels with their own swimming pools, private beaches, etc.

For the more economical lovers of Vietnamese beaches, there are many bungalows. True, the conveniences in them are minimal, besides, if the walls of the bungalows are bamboo, then mosquitoes can fly inside through the existing cracks. However, mosquito ointments may well correct the situation. In any case, the most vivid memories of a vacation in Vietnam almost always remain!