Starting from January 2023, Vietnam will fully resume tourist visas for Chinese tourists; Starting from March 15th, Vietnam has been included in the second batch of pilot countries for outbound tourism by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Whether departing from China to Vietnam or returning from Vietnam, there is no longer a need to provide a nucleic acid test certificate.
So, when do you plan to go shopping again for “Vietnam is more beautiful”, which was once beloved by Chinese people before the epidemic? How many people can’t sit still at the thought of Hanoi’s diverse fans? If you plan to go to Vietnam in the near future, you should keep this guide well~
Vietnamese cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine ingredients are selected from the local season, complex and exquisite, with a level far exceeding fame. For Vietnamese people, a meal should consider a balance between acidity and sweetness, crispness and smoothness, frying and steaming, and soup and salad. Wherever you go, you will find exquisite local specialty snacks.
Rice
Rice (com) is definitely the cornerstone of Vietnamese cuisine. Rice, together with chicken, fish, eel or duck, is boiled into thick soup, which becomes rice Congee; When fried in a hot pot with eggs, vegetables and other ingredients, rice becomes Fried Rice (com rang); And “crush” into short grains, steam them, put Grilled pork, eggs and sliced cucumbers, and then add nuocham (sweet fish sauce used as a dip) to make com tam. A small clam called hen is fried with spicy Vietnamese coriander and served on rice to make a com hen.
A rich and delicious breakfast called xoi (also known as ngo in central Vietnam) is made by mixing sticky rice or glutinous rice (white, red, and black) with dried beans or soaked dry corn, peanuts, and sesame. It can also be mixed with sugar and coconut milk, pressed into sweet food with molds, or layered with pork, steamed on bamboo tubes or plantain leaves to make banh chung, a special Dim sum for the Vietnamese Spring Festival.
Rice noodles
In Vietnam, Rice noodles can be used as a meal or Dim sum at any time of the day. Pho and banh pho (flat Rice noodles) are made together, and although this northern food has been published in all cooking publications, in fact, the really good Rice noodles are really rare, characterized by a bowl of rich and carefully cooked broth.
Other northern style Rice noodles worth trying include barbecued Rice noodles (bun cha) – fine Rice noodles with roasted pork slices or pork pies, and banh cuon – rice noodles with stuffing, which will remind people of Hong Kong style rice noodles.
Rice made paper roll
Almost everything was wrapped in thin and fragile rice paper by Vietnamese people. At the dining table, steamed fish and grilled meat are usually wrapped together with vanilla, lettuce, sliced sour walnuts, and green bananas, and then eaten with fish sauce. The plump goi cuon is a special food in the south. It is usually regarded as a salad or “summer” roll, which contains fresh shrimp, pork, Rice noodles and herbs. It needs to be dipped in soy sauce or seafood sauce.
Ho Chi Minh City and its surrounding areas
Ho Chi Minh City is the most dazzling place in Vietnam. There is highly developed commerce and rich culture here, so Vietnam has moved forward with its pulse. After a chaotic cycle, this city injects vitality and vitality into every person living here – tourists cannot help but be attracted by the charm of this place and come for sightseeing.
Dakao and surrounding areas-
This used to be the First County, located directly north of the city center, where most consulates and beautiful buildings from the French colonial period were built.
Jade Emperor Hall
The Jade Emperor Hall was built in 1909 to commemorate the highest deity of Taoism (Jade Emperor). This is the most magnificent temple in Ho Chi Minh City, with many legendary gods and heroes of different styles inside.
-Unification Palace and its surrounding areas-
This bustling street spans the first and third counties, enclosing the pleasant Tao Dan Park with the pristine land of the Unification Palace. Here are the most famous attractions and great restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
Unification Palace
Surrounded by Royal Palm trees, the Independence Palace was once the residence of Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, the next president of South Vietnam, until his sudden death in 1975. This building was designed by Vietnamese designer Ngo Viet Thu, who was studying in Paris. It is a model of excellent architecture in the 1960s, with good ventilation and a broad view.
War Remnants Museum
This museum of war relics truly showcases the cruelty of war and the tragedy of civilian casualties.
Many atrocities have been recorded and made public here, but Westerners rarely hear American military action victims tell their stories. Although the exhibition is somewhat one-sided, the most shocking photos of American atrocities come from the United States, including the infamous My Lai Massacre.
Embankment-
Visit the embankment (Fifth County), explore ancient temples and treasure troves in Chinese style. The meaning of Dike is “big market”, which was a thriving black market during the American War.
Pingxi Market
There is a large bell tower and a central square with a garden on the main market on the embankment. This is a commercial wholesale market, but it is also highly sought after by travel groups. The market was first established by the French in the 1880s, and was rebuilt with donations from philanthropist Quach Dam, born in Guangdong, China. Currently, the Art Museum still has his commemorative statue.
Fu’an Guild Hall Ancestral Hall
The front is shaded by green trees, and the temples inside are decorated in colors such as red, gold, green, and yellow, complementing each other. This temple, dating back to 1902, is one of the most beautifully decorated temples. The distinctive features here are exquisite brass ceremonial decorations and weapons, as well as wooden carvings on altars, walls, pillars, hanging lamps, and incense plates. Further inside, carefully observe the decorative porcelain paintings on the roof, each depicting countless small figures.
Cu Chi
If the resilience of Vietnamese people can be represented by one place, there is no place more suitable than Cu Chi. The current population of the Greater Ho Chi Minh City area is 350000 people, but during the Vietnam War, there were only about 80000 people. At first glance, today’s Cu Chi does not leave many traces of the once terrifying battles, bombings, and destruction. To understand what has happened, it is necessary to dig deeper underground.
Cu Chi Tunnel
This amazing tunnel has two sections (physical expansion and upgrade version) open to the public. One section is near Ben Dinh, and the other section is at Ben Duoc, 15 kilometers away. In order to facilitate the arrival of tour buses, most tourists’ underground tours end at Bianding.
Tây Ninh
Tây Ninh Town, the capital of Tây Ninh Province, is the headquarters of Caodaism, which is one of the most mysterious local religions in Vietnam. The Cao Dai Great Temple of this sect is one of the most extraordinary and surprising buildings in Asia.
Cao Dai Holy See
Cao Dai Holy See is the location of the Cao Dai Great Temple, Thanh That Cao Dai.
Four prayer ceremonies are held daily in the CaoDai Temple (suspended during the Vietnamese Spring Festival). The prayer ceremony is worth visiting (the noon ceremony is the most popular among sightseeing groups in Ho Chi Minh City), but do not disturb worshippers. The prayer ceremony during working days is attended by only a few hundred believers dressed in splendid costumes, but thousands of people come to pray during the holiday period.
Hoi An
The elegant ancient city of Hui’an is the most atmospheric and delightful town in Vietnam. In history, Huian was once a major port, proud of its magnificent buildings and intoxicating riverside scenery, while the two stubborn diseases of the 21st century, traffic congestion and environmental pollution, are almost completely traceable here.
According to UNESCO regulations, over 800 historical buildings in Hui’an have been preserved, so the ancient town still largely retains its appearance from hundreds of years ago.
Japanese Covered Bridge
This beautiful small bridge is a symbol of Hui’an. In the 1690s, Japanese communities first built a bridge here to facilitate communication with the Chinese community. For centuries, the decoration on the bridge has remained faithful to the original bridge, maintaining its original Japanese style. The French paved the bridge deck for the convenience of small cars, but the original arched bridge deck was restored in 1986.
Guild hall
There are many guilds in Hui’an Ancient City. The Fujian Guild Hall is one of the most famous among them. This building was originally a traditional guild hall, but later became a temple for worshipping the goddess of heaven (i.e. Mazu). The triple door with a green tile roof was first built in 1975. The mural on the right wall depicts Mazu Tianhou skimming over the rough sea to rescue a sinking ship, with a lantern shining in front of her. The mural on the opposite wall depicts the heads of six Fujian family leaders who came to Hui’an from China in the 17th century.
Hue
Hue (pronounced “hway”), the capital of the Nguyen dynasty, is now listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Although many exquisite buildings were damaged during the Vietnam War, it still evokes deep reflection and reminders of the glory of the Vietnamese dynasty.
–Inside the Imperial City-
The Kinh Thanh was built between 1804 and 1833 and remains the central area of Huhua to this day. The functions of each area within the imperial city are clear. The Imperial Enclosure and Forbidden City form the center of life for the Vietnamese royal family. To the southwest is a group of temples, to the northwest is a dormitory, with a garden located in the northeast corner, and to the north is Mang Ca Fortress (still a military base).
Exploring Scenic Area: The Imperial City of Huhua
The meticulously restored palaces and pagodas form an disharmonious combination with ruins and dilapidated building fragments. Passing through the outer walls of the imperial city, one can enter the interior from the south side. Walking tour is the best choice, follow the building in a counterclockwise direction to embark on your exploration journey.
Passing directly through the solemn Ngo Mon Gate will reveal the ticket office. When you enter this city, the magnificent scene that comes in front of you will make your heart beat faster and a sense of solemnity arises naturally. Directly ahead is the Thai Hoa Palace, where the king once sat high on his throne to receive visiting envoys. Continuing north, you will pass through a small courtyard leading to the Halls of the Mandarins, where officials have worked and prepared various ceremonies.
To the northeast is the Royal Theatre, where there are several traditional dance performances every day. Next, you will see the Imperial’s Reading Room built by Emperor Thieu Tri, which can be used for rest and relaxation. To the east of this building is the beautiful Co Ha Gardens. Strolling along the garden path, surrounded by hundreds of bonsai and potted plants, this place has only recently been renovated.
The Tu Vo Phuong Pavilion is guarding the northernmost end of the building complex. From there, you can follow the moat to Truong San residence, and then turn south to reach Dien That Residence. Finally, enjoy the carefully restored To Mieu architectural complex. This can be considered the most rewarding part of the entire tour, including the exquisite Nine Dynastic Urns.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
In 2003, Fengya Gebang National Park was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This magnificent national park has the oldest karst mountains in Asia, which were formed approximately 400 million years ago. Here are hundreds or thousands of cave systems (many of which are spectacular in scale and length) and magnificent underground rivers, making Fengya a paradise for cave enthusiasts.
It was not until the late 1990s, led by the British Cave Research Association and Hanoi University, that people began to seriously explore this area.
The first cave that cave scholars delved into was Phong Nha Cave, which is one of the longest cave systems in the world. In 2005, Paradise Cave was discovered, and in 2009, a cave research team discovered the world’s largest cave – Hang Son Doong. In 2015, two other cave systems were officially approved for public access.
Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, missed out on excellent development opportunities due to various historical reasons, but is now catching up. The streets of the city are crowded with motorcycles, and the honking of horns keeps ringing. However, the influence of France and China on the history of this place can be seen everywhere, giving people a glimpse of the ambition, pride, and indomitable spirit of the people of Hanoi.
Old town-
The old town is the ancient central area of Hanoi, where commercial activities have continued for over 1000 years and the momentum remains undiminished. When you hear the word “old urban area”, it is inevitable that old streets will appear in front of you, with lights on the streets and wooden shops and workshops on both sides. Unfortunately, although the old urban area in Hanoi has a strong urban atmosphere, it is not so romantic. However, the old urban area is still the soul of Hanoi, and only by abandoning prejudice can one gain a lot and leave.
Bach Ma Temple
The Bach Ma Templee is not large and is located in the center of the old urban area. Although most of its buildings were built in the 18th century and the ancestral hall dedicated to Confucius was added in 1839, it is said that the Bach Ma Temple is the oldest temple in Hanoi.
Long Bien Bridge
Longbian Bridge (built between 1899 and 1902) is a symbol of the tenacity and perseverance of the Hanoi people. It was destroyed several times during the Vietnam War, and every time it was destroyed, the Vietnamese people quickly repaired it. The designer of the bridge is Gustave Eiffel (whose work is the famous Eiffel Tower).
Hoàn Kiem Lake & Its Surroundings
Hoàn Kiem Lake
Legend has it that in the mid 15th century, L ê Th á i T ô e obtained a precious sword from the sky and used it to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. After that war, a huge golden turtle snatched the sword and then disappeared deep into the lake, returning it to its original sacred owner. Huanjian Lake is named after this.
Vietnamese Women’s Museum
This outstanding museum showcases the role played by women in Vietnamese society and culture. The commentary here is available in both French and English, documenting the contributions made by the most heroic women during the war.
-Western part of the old town–
Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature was founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070 to worship Confucius (Khong Tu). Inside, you can visit the Tianguang Well, a low pagoda, and sculptures of Confucius and his disciples. The Confucian Temple complex is one of the few well preserved traditional buildings in Vietnam, commemorating Vietnam’s most outstanding scholars and literati. In 1076, Vietnam’s first university was established here, and at that time only nobles were admitted to study here.
The Greater Hanoi District
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
This museum has excellent collections, focusing on various ethnic minorities in Vietnam, showcasing tribal artworks, cultural relics, and daily necessities from all over the country, as well as traditional village dwellings. The exhibits are accompanied by detailed introductions in Vietnamese, French, and English.
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is located in the middle of north Bay, with limestone pillars bursting out of the jasper like seawater, interspersed with small islands topped with forests. ‘Ha Long’ means’ the place where the dragon goes to the sea ‘.
Legend has it that there was a huge mountain dragon that collided with the shore and swayed its tail, creating gullies on the land, forming a rugged landscape. The mountain dragon then dived into the sea, and the water poured in, leaving only the towering stone forest exposed to the water. This magical sea view was born.
Science attributes the cause of formation here to karst erosion, which may sound quite scenic but does not detract from the picturesque scenery of Ha Long Bay. In 1994, it was recognized as a World Heritage site.
Visa Tips
Vietnamese visas are divided into two types: separate paper visas and landing visas. If you want to enter by land from ports such as Dongxing in Guangxi and Hekou in Yunnan, you must apply for a visa in advance through a travel agency, or submit an E-Visa application on the official website of the Vietnamese Immigration Bureau (immigration. gov.vn). Print it out and you can use it, allowing you to stay for 30 days; If you enter from an air port, remember to purchase an electronic version of the approval document from a certain treasure first, and prepare two white background 2-inch photos for you to apply for a landing visa upon entry. The visa fee is $25, and you can usually stay for 15 days.
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