If you want to go on holiday again after the corona crisis, Vietnam is a must. Vietnam offers a nice mix of natural wonders, vibrant street life, delicious food and beautiful landscapes. From the bustling buzz of modern cities, to vast highlands lined with rice terraces, to beautiful beaches, Vietnam really has it all.
Vietnam holiday preparation
However, before you travel to Vietnam, you should prepare the trip well. A visa requirement applies to travelers from the Netherlands and Belgium, among others. That is why you have to apply for a visa for Vietnam. This is already approved and granted before departure. You can then immediately pass passport control when you arrive in Vietnam. Applying for a Vietnam e-visa is very simple and a lot cheaper compared to visa on arrival. Applying for a Vietnam visa only takes five minutes and is available from €39.95 per person. In addition, it is useful to exchange some money in advance (as in every country where euros are not accepted). In Vietnam people pay with the Vietnamese đồng.
Highlights of Vietnam
Natural wonders and beautiful landscapes
In Vietnam, pristine beaches and islands, spectacular waterfalls, high mountains and dense jungles form a varied and beautiful landscape. So it's no wonder that the country is attracting more and more nature lovers. Head to Con Dao Island for deserted beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, wildlife and scuba diving, or look for sea turtle nesting sites in the national parks. The southeast is known as the “Rice Bowl of Vietnam,” where you'll find fruit orchards, rice paddies, and floating markets. Areas such as Phong Nha and Ha Long Bay offer both relaxation and adventure in spectacular natural settings.
Vibrant and vibrant cities
Vietnam has some lively and vibrant cities:Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Hanoi – also known as the “Paris of the East” – is the cultural heart of Vietnam, where Parisian style meets the vibrant energy of Asia. Here you will also find scenic lakes and historical and cultural treasures, such as French colonial buildings, ruins, modern high-rises and colorful pagodas. Ho Chi Minh City – formerly Saigon – is the original pearl of the Orient, where new and old meet; skyscrapers, clubs and restaurants share the skyline with pagodas, ancient markets and monks wandering from temple to temple. Don't forget to hop on a scooter at least once to really feel the city of Vietnam.
Culinary delights
Vietnamese cuisine is distinctive and delicious, combining salty, sweet, sour and spicy flavors. Travel around Vietnam and you will find that flavors and dishes vary from north to south. But if there's one characteristic that unites Vietnamese food, it's freshness. Across the country, you'll find a plethora of products from the sea and earth, picked and caught the same morning, to be turned into something delicious by a chef in the markets. These wonderful ingredients are combined with a symphony of delicious textures and flavors. Don't forget to enjoy the delicious street food to get the real taste of Vietnam.
Lovely beaches
Vietnam is home to countless inviting beaches – some well-known, others completely hidden. The islands of Con Dao and Phu Quoc are known for their wonderful waters and pristine coasts. If you like a busy area with beautiful beaches, the coastal towns of Da Nang and Nha Trang are ideal. Mui Ne is known as the adrenaline capital of South Vietnam. This is a popular surfing destination from August to December when the waves are high, while the winds transport kite surfers over golden dunes along the coast from October to April.
Timeless culture
Vietnam inherited its cultural richness from thousands of years of history, topped with a handful of outside influences. The Vietnamese are proud of their traditions. If culture is your thing, the central cities of Hue and Hoi An are a treasure trove, as is Hanoi, the country's capital. Located in the middle of Vietnam, the Imperial City of Hue is similar in feel to Beijing and is home to an ancient citadel and catacombs, along with its own Forbidden City – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a glimpse into a once mighty empire. Travel to Sapa to find lush valleys, verdant paddy fields, ancient ways of life and proud tribal communities living their ancient customs on spectacular mountain slopes. Old and new, side by side, is what makes Vietnamese culture so attractive.
