Vietnam: interesting facts, history, culture, attractions

Vietnam is very popular among tourist destinations. This country with an interesting culture and special color will not leave indifferent even experienced travelers. A visit to it is suitable for a romantic getaway, family vacation or a friendly trip. The article presents interesting facts about Vietnam.

History

This is an unusual country with its own traditions and culture. Going on a trip along it, it is worth exploring the main milestones. Consider 10 interesting facts about Vietnam from its history:

1. The first settlers in the territory of the present country appeared in the III century BC. e.
2. From 111 BC, Vietnam was part of the Chinese Empire and only at the beginning of the 10th century became an autonomous state.
3. The country becomes a Buddhist state during the reign of the Tran Dynasty.
4. In the 16th century, three civil wars spanned the territory in the struggle for power.
5. In the middle of the XIX century, thanks to the detailed policy of France regarding vassals, Vietnam became a part of French Indochina. The dominance of this nation lasted almost 100 years until the invasion of Japanese troops in 1941.
6. During the Second World War, the communist movement is actively promoted in the country, which subsequently leads to the formation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
7. France tried hard to maintain its position in the state, which led to war. In 1954, it was ended with the defeat of the colonialists.
8. Later, the state split into two parts. One was supported by the United States, and the other by the Soviet Union.
9. As a result, a new war erupted, which lasted until 1973, until the Paris Peace Agreement was signed.
10. In 1977, Vietnam became a member of the UN.

About war

The people of this state have fallen to a difficult test. This is a long war in Vietnam. Interesting facts about this:

1. The conflict in Vietnam is the longest of those in which the United States participated.
2. The war in Vietnam is considered one of the longest in modern history. It lasted almost 20 years - from the end of 1955 to the beginning of 1975.
3. The 20-year war in Vietnam cost the Americans $ 111 billion.
4. During the conflict, more than 1 million Vietnamese military were killed. About 58,200 American soldiers died and 304,000 were injured.
5. The average age of dead US soldiers was 23 years.
6. Approximately 0.5 million children were affected by herbicides sprayed by US forces over the country.

Facts about the country

Going on a trip, vacationers try to find information about the object. This country can provide interesting information. Interesting facts about Vietnam:

1. To cope with mosquitoes in this area only local means of protection are capable.
2. Money in Vietnam is made of plastic, it practically does not get dirty and does not tear.
3. Often, hotel workers park their scooters in the lobby for the night.
4. Gasoline in the country is two times more expensive than in the Russian Federation.
5. 80% of the population are followers of the cult of ancestors.
6. It is impossible to survive in the local jungle without the appropriate skills.
7. The President of Vietnam receives a salary equal to 250 US dollars.
8. Fishing boats were originally made from bamboo, nowadays they are made from plastic. They owe their round shape to the French, who taxed boats, and these boats did not fit this description.
9. Vietnam is the largest exporter of dragonfruits in the world.

Movement

Interesting facts about Vietnam cannot be imagined without considering the features of mobility. For a European citizen, this information can be considered unusual. She is like this:

• To cross the road, you must follow local traffic regulations. If there is no traffic light nearby, then no one pays attention to the pedestrian crossing and the road is allowed to cross anywhere. Do it slowly and without sudden movements. Motorcyclists go round pedestrians themselves. Thus, even children are not afraid to cross the road.
• The overwhelming majority of motorcyclists ride in a helmet, and law enforcement officers follow this, which cannot be said about residents of other Asian countries. Often it is worn over a hat or panama.
• Often you can meet people who do not take off their helmets even while walking.

• In Vietnam, only local driver's licenses are valid. If during verification documents of another state are found, the person will be fined or offered to solve the problem on the spot. If there are no rights, the scooter is subject to confiscation.
• Traveling by public transport costs about 25 cents, the intercity route will cost $ 2 per 100 km. A tourist bus ride is more expensive, but stops are made in the most beautiful places in the city.
• Convenient and inexpensive to make flights around the country.
• A fairly common occurrence in Vietnam is sleeping buses. They ply between cities. Bunk beds are set in 3 rows and are designed for a person of small stature. When boarding this type of bus, shoes must be removed.
• In major cities of the country, motorcyclists can be taxi drivers. Moreover, such a trip will cost less and allows you to get to your destination faster.
• Sea mode of transport protects against possible damage to car tires. However, if in other countries they weigh the harbor, then in Vietnam they are attached to the ship.

Interesting facts about culture

Listing interesting facts about the country of Vietnam, one cannot ignore the traditions of this people. There are many of them. We list the main ones:

• Locals consider light skin the standard of beauty, so they do not sunbathe.
• The traditional pointed hat they wear serves as protection against coconuts falling from branches. Having fallen on a hat, the coconut will rebound, inflicting a light blow. Otherwise, the case may be fatal.

• In small eateries, it is considered normal to throw rubbish on the table. In the best case, an urn will stand under it. Moreover, they lack a menu; visitors choose food from just a few dishes.
• Board games are very popular in Vietnam.
• At the funeral, people have fun.
• The wedding in Vietnam is celebrated on a grand scale, inviting from 200 to 3000 people. It lasts five days, each time new guests come.
• In large cities of the country, the birth of a third child is taxed heavily, this law does not apply to villagers.
• Along the roadway there are low tables and chairs that resemble children’s. This is a local food service. Even employees in a serious position eat here.
• Often in the parks you can see the simulators, which are actively engaged in the Vietnamese.
• Here the graves are very unusually ennobled. They are laid out with ceramic tiles.
• Tables in local cafes are usually decorated with a pot of young rice shoots.

Cathedrals

Interesting facts about Vietnam cannot be imagined without a description of places of worship. There are quite a lot of them built in the country.

The facts are as follows:

1. Despite the huge number of Buddhist temples, most of the locals are followers of animism. This is a remarkable fact. About 9% of Buddhists live here, and only 7% of Catholics.
2. From the time of the French colonialists, Catholic cathedrals have remained in Vietnam. You can also see the temples of the Kaodai religious denomination with the eye symbol on the facade.
3. Before entering the religious building, shoes must be removed.

Food

Many interesting facts about Vietnam concern cooking and eating. Yet for us it is an unusual country. Among the facts, the following information can be cited:

• Vietnam ranks second after Burma in annual rice consumption. On average, a local resident eats 169 kg of this cereal per year. There are more than a dozen types of product.

• In local stores it is very difficult to find regular milk, as a rule, it is sold sweetened.
• Rice are dried by folding them along the side of the road.
• Despite the fact that the Vietnamese hardly drink coffee, the country ranks second in the world in its production after Brazil.
• One of the most famous local dishes is called pho soup. Prepare it from meat or fish and rice noodles. It is served in almost every restaurant and cafeteria. Eat a breakfast dish.
• Ban mi is no less popular - it is a baguette sandwich with various fillings.
• Vietnamese cuisine is not complete without fish sauce. They prepare it from the liquid secreted by the fish, which lies under the press for months. It is mixed with salt and served with almost all dishes.

Coffee

Interesting information also relates to how local people relate to this drink. And they are as follows:

1. In Vietnam, coffee is brewed in a special way. A filter is installed in the cup, into which ground grains are poured and poured with boiling water.
2. After the traditional brewing of a drink in a cup, very little is strained, but even such an amount, the Vietnamese can drink for an hour.
3. The drink is consumed pure or in equal proportions diluted with condensed milk.
4. Having ordered coffee, in most establishments the client receives green tea in addition. And in the morning - hot, and in the afternoon - with ice.
5. Almost everywhere you can buy coffee by weight, and not only in grains, but also ground.

clothing

The traditions of this country have developed for a very long time. This applies to both nutrition and the wearing of robes. When listing the most interesting facts about Vietnam, one cannot fail to mention the following:

• Even on hot days, locals try to wear closed clothes to tan as little as possible.

• Often on the street you can see citizens with masks on their faces. In this way, they protect the skin from UV rays.
• Flip-flops both at home and on the street walk in robes similar to pajamas.
• Schoolchildren in the country wear a uniform (similar to that of the pioneers of the Union).

sights

One cannot ignore the interesting places of the country. Without them, the information will not be complete. Sightseeing and interesting facts about Vietnam certainly deserve to be told about them:

• Buildings of French architecture have been preserved in some large cities, and flower beds can be seen on the streets. Da Lat is even called the second Paris, there is even a local Eiffel Tower.
• There are many waterfalls in Vietnam, one of the most magnificent is Pongur.
• There is one interesting Vietnamese tradition, it is also considered a donation to any city. Near the sights it is allowed to put your own bench with the name and city.
• In the southern part of the country there is a place with sand dunes, which is rather strange for the tropics.
• The largest Indochina river is the Mekong. On it you can buy a tour and see the popular river markets organized in swimming facilities, and the real life of Vietnam, far from tourist places.

• The most striking natural attraction of the country, which is also one of the seven new wonders of the world, is Halong Bay.
• Indigenous people still live in some Vietnamese villages to honor their ancient customs, attires and traditions.
• You can buy an entrance ticket to natural attractions until 4-5 pm. After this time, admission is free. It is important to consider that daylight hours last until 6 pm.

Facts for tourists

Those who want to travel to this country will be interested to know some financial information. She will be helpful. Interesting facts about Vietnam for tourists:

1. The word motel means an inexpensive hotel where a decent room can be rented for $ 10.
2. Having ordered coffee in the south of Vietnam, you should expect that it will be served with ice, so it’s better to check in advance if you want to drink a hot drink.
3. In the tourist areas of the country there is a huge variety of world cuisines and restaurants serving exotic dishes.
4. Rooms for one person are 30% cheaper, but two can comfortably accommodate in them. The exception is 4 * and 5 * hotels.
5. At the popular Russian resorts of Mui Ne and Nha Trang, staff often speak Russian without knowing English.
6. In low-cost hotels, they pick up a passport upon check-in and give it after a check-out.
7. In Vietnam, you can participate in a race on ostriches.
8. Prices for entrance tickets to the sights are the same for both local and tourists, and quite affordable.
9. In Vietnam, standard sockets, adapters to them are not required.

The article presents super-interesting facts about Vietnam.