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Vietnam

Land Journeys Land & Cruise JourneysOverview

Overview

“…a world where the colors are more vivid, where the landscapes are bolder, the coastline more dramatic, where the history is more compelling, where the tastes are more divine, where life is lived in the fast lane.”

Vietnam’s diverse natural environment and culture have created a great potential for the tourism industry. Vietnam consists of long coastlines and mountainous regions with many magnificent landscapes. Vietnam has a long history and diversified culture with a variety of ancient architecture and wonderful legends.

Language

Vietnamese is a tonal language with distinctive accents in three regions, North, Central and South. Much of the language is Sino/Vietnamese in origin, although influences from minority languages, French and English are also apparent. English is now the second language taught in the school system and is beginning to be spoken and understood throughout the country.

Religion

Vietnam is home to both Western and Eastern religions and philosophies, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Caodaism. Ancestral worship, the belief that the soul lives on after death and protects its descendants, is practiced throughout Viet Nam. Buddhism is the main religion of Vietnam (about 70%), Catholicism is the second largest of the country (about 10%).

Public Holidays

The most widely celebrated public holiday is the Tet, the Lunar New Year, which is the most important festival of the year to all Vietnamese. The weeklong holiday is usually celebrated in late January or early February. It is an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. During Tet, Vietnamese visit their relatives and temples, forgetting about the troubles of the past year and hoping for a better upcoming year. They consider Tet to be the first day of spring and the festival is often called Hoi Xuan (spring festival).

Dress Code

One of the most popular Vietnamese traditional garments is the Ao Dai worn often for special occasions such as weddings or festivals. White Ao Dai is the required uniform for girls in many high schools across Vietnam. It was once worn by both genders but today it is worn mainly by females, except for certain important traditional culture-related occasions where some men do wear it. In recent years young Vietnamese have enthusiastically embraced Western fashions and culture but away from the beach revealing clothes are still considered quite shocking and disrespectful. Modest dress is recommended in Vietnam – avoid short skirts, shorts and sleeveless clothing. Dress even more respectfully when visiting temples and churches ensuring that shoulders and legs are covered.

People

The majority of the population (87%) is comprised of the Viet, or Kinh. The balance of the population is made up of over 50 minority groups, living mainly in the mountainous areas of the country. The best known minority hill tribes are the Tay (the most populous), Hmong, Dzao, White Thai and Black Thai (both mainly from the north), and the Hoa. Each hill tribe has its unique customs and dialect making them fascinating to visit.

Cuisine

Rice is a staple food throughout the country. However, traditional Vietnamese cuisine also boasts specialties that differ according to the region. Oven-baked French baguette, seasonal fruits (including tropical fruits such as durian, mangosteen, dragon fruit, rambutans, and longans), fresh vegetables, and local seafood are readily available. Vietnamese restaurants offer a broad selection of tempting international fare as well, including French, Italian, American, Indian, Chinese and Japanese. All fruits and vegetables should be cooked or peeled.

Climate

The climate in Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in the south is hottest and most humid in late March and April. The dry season from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. In the north, the wet season is from May to September; December to March are the driest months.

Currency

The Vietnamese currency is the Dong. US dollars, preferably new & clean bills, are accepted almost everywhere. We recommend exchanging only a small amount at a time since Vietnamese bank notes are issued only in small denominations. American-issued VISA, Mastercard and American Express cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and shops in the urban areas. While traveler’s checks are also accepted, exchanging them for Dong can be quite inconvenient. ATM machines are available in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other major cities.

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