Vietnam Country Overview
Define Vietnam from a
backpackers perspective
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Country Overview
This country that witnessed such horror in its history has a mystical serenity, and its natural setting with soaring mountains shrouded in mist, emerald green paddy fields, rivers and tiny islands floating in the sea like so many jewels, has become a budget travellers very own paradise.
Although it is developing rapidly Vietnam has not lost its culture or its gentle civilization and there are temples, pagodas and palaces to be seen, as well as beaches and beautiful forests to explore.
Daily Budget
For around US$25 per day the careful backpacker could get by with cheap lodgings and food from stalls and little cafes, with any long distance traveling come on top of that. For US$65 a day it is possible to enjoy mid-range hotels and restaurants, see a bit of the nightlife and even use the public transport.
When to Go!
Vietnam has different weather in different parts of the country, so when it is unpleasant in one area, there will be great conditions in another. One time that it is not advisable to visit has nothing to do with the weather, but rather because hotels are full and services close down for the Tet New Year festival in late January or early February.
In February/May in the village of Huong Son the longest of the Vietnam festival is held in the stunning Perfume Pagoda, a place of such natural beauty combined with local architecture that it is believed to be Buddha's heaven. In September held throughout various towns in Vietnam is the Mid-Autumn Festival (Trung Thu) celebrating the consequences of love, and spoiling them rotten with cakes and sweet dumplings, processions and fun.
Although it is developing rapidly Vietnam has not lost its culture or its gentle civilization and there are temples, pagodas and palaces to be seen, as well as beaches and beautiful forests to explore.
Daily Budget
For around US$25 per day the careful backpacker could get by with cheap lodgings and food from stalls and little cafes, with any long distance traveling come on top of that. For US$65 a day it is possible to enjoy mid-range hotels and restaurants, see a bit of the nightlife and even use the public transport.
When to Go!
Vietnam has different weather in different parts of the country, so when it is unpleasant in one area, there will be great conditions in another. One time that it is not advisable to visit has nothing to do with the weather, but rather because hotels are full and services close down for the Tet New Year festival in late January or early February.
In February/May in the village of Huong Son the longest of the Vietnam festival is held in the stunning Perfume Pagoda, a place of such natural beauty combined with local architecture that it is believed to be Buddha's heaven. In September held throughout various towns in Vietnam is the Mid-Autumn Festival (Trung Thu) celebrating the consequences of love, and spoiling them rotten with cakes and sweet dumplings, processions and fun.