Where is Vietnam located? Where is Vietnam located What is the name of the capital of Vietnam
Socialist Republic Vietnam.
Viet-nam means "country of the southern winds".
Capital of Vietnam. Hanoi.
Vietnam Square. 332,000 km2.
Population of Vietnam. 79939 thousand people
Location of Vietnam. Vietnam is a state in the Southeast, in the east of the Indochinese Peninsula. In the north it borders with, in the west - with and. In the southwest, east and south it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
Administrative divisions of Vietnam. It is divided into 52 provinces and 3 cities of central subordination.
Form of government in Vietnam. Republic.
Head of State of Vietnam. President elected for a term of 5 years.
Supreme Legislature of Vietnam. Unicameral National Assembly, whose term of office is 5 years.
Supreme executive body of Vietnam. Government.
Major cities in Vietnam. Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh.
State language of Vietnam. Vietnamese.
Religion in Vietnam. 55% of the population profess, 12% - Taoism, 10% - Catholicism, 23% - Islam, Protestantism, paganism.
Ethnic composition of Vietnam. 88% - Vietnamese, 12% - Chinese, Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham.
Currency of Vietnam. Dong = 100 su = 100 hao.
Flora of Vietnam. About 40% of the territory is covered with tropical. Above 600-700 m in the north and 1000-1200 m in the south, pine and broad-leaved trees (oak, beech, chestnut) grow in mixed tropical forests. Bamboo is common along the rivers. Significant areas, especially in, are covered; mangroves are found in the south.
Fauna of Vietnam. The animal world is represented by elephants, deer, bears, tigers, leopards. Among the small ones, the hare, squirrel, and monkey are especially widespread. A variety of birds and reptiles are observed. Of the latter, crocodiles, lizards and snakes live here.
Vietnam - ( official name SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM). The country is located along
Vietnam - (official name SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM).
The country is located along the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The maximum length of the country from northwest to southeast is about 1,650 km, and the maximum width from east to west is about 550 km in the north and about 340 km in the south. Vietnam borders China in the north; the Gulf of Tonkin and the South China Sea are located in the east and south; the Gulf of Thailand is in the southwest; Laos and Cambodia (Kampuchea) are located in the west. The capital of the country is Hanoi. The area of the country is about 331,041 square kilometers. Population - 74,545,000 (as of 1995).
Earth.
In the north of the country, the densely populated Red River Delta is the main breadbasket where the country's main crop, rice, is cultivated. The Red River and its tributaries are regularly subjected to severe widespread flooding, while serving as irrigation for fields and transportation routes for goods. The fertile Mekong Delta is almost four times the size of the Red River Delta and is one of the world's major rice producing areas. The annual floods in the Mekong Delta, unlike the floods in the Red Delta, occur regularly and increase the fertility of the land, each year bringing new land of silt. In addition, the country has plantations of sugar cane, bananas, and coconuts in the Mekong Delta. A narrow coastal plain, about 1,000 km long, connects these two major river deltas.
Vietnam has a tropical monsoonal climate with hot winters in the south and cold winters in the north. The annual average temperature in the north (Hanoi) is -23° and in the south (Ho Chi Minh City). - 27°. Average annual precipitation (mainly from May to October) is 1,500 - 2,000 mm. Typhoons occur in the north and southwest.
Almost one-third of the country's total area is under tropical evergreen and subtropical deciduous forests of oak, beech, chestnut, pine, and teak. Bamboo is widely distributed both in forests and along rivers. Mangrove forests are common in the tidal coastal plains, and grassy savannahs cover the highlands and plateaus in the southwest. Large areas have been devastated by barbaric farming practices (clearing and burning), as well as by bombing and herbicides used by the US military during the Vietnam War, although the devastated areas have subsequently been reclaimed (reclamation). About one fifth of the country's total area is used for agriculture.
Northern Vietnam is rich in mineral resources, especially anthracite and coal. Other minerals are found in the north, including iron ore, lead, zinc, bauxite, copper, chrome ores, and tungsten. tin. Small oil reserves are found on the south coast.
Currency: The national currency of Vietnam is the dong. Currently, 1 dollar is equivalent to approximately 16,000 VND. Dollars are common in hotels, but you will need local currency for shopping and paying for taxis. In big cities in hotels, restaurants and large shops you can pay with credit cards. Visa credit card is preferred.
Electricity: the voltage in the network throughout the country is 220 volts. Sometimes in hotels (especially in the southern part of the country) electrical outlets are different from European ones. In this case, you will be provided with the necessary adapters.
Security: Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia. However, you should pay attention to the safety of personal belongings. When staying in hotels, keep valuables, documents and credit cards in safes.
At the airport: Safely keep the entry/exit form completed when entering Vietnam. You will need it when leaving the country. Airport tax - the amount of airport tax for flights on international flights is $14. The fee is not charged for children under 2 years of age. Airport tax for flights on domestic flights is included in the ticket price
The judiciary includes the Supreme People's Court in Hanoi and subordinate people's courts in the provinces and major cities. The National Assembly may, in special cases, for example, when the interests of national security are affected, by its decision create a special judicial body. The Supreme People's Court exercises control over the work of subordinate institutions. Representatives of national minorities have the right to use their native language in court. At the state and provincial levels and in the army, there are people's inspectorates, each of which is led by responsible prosecutors, who carry out the tasks of monitoring the implementation of the law in state institutions, private organizations, military personnel and civilians. The judge considers cases at trials jointly with a council of people's assessors, consisting of five to nine people. There are more than 10,000 such councils in the country.
Armed Forces: Everything related to the Vietnam People's Army and other security forces is strictly classified. In November 1998, the National Council voted for the "transparency" of information in the field of public administration, after which the government developed a detailed program to familiarize the public with the financing of the services and departments it manages (it does not apply to the army, internal security agencies and party organizations). The number of military personnel in the country is estimated at approximately 0.5 million people, and security personnel - 2 million people.
Geography
Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia and stretches for 1600 km along the east coast of the Indochinese Peninsula.
More than 80% of the territory of Vietnam is occupied by low and medium-altitude mountains. Forests cover less than 30% of the country. In the north, parallel to each other, blocky-folded ridges of southeast strike - Hoanglyenshon (with the highest point of Vietnam, Mount Fansipan - 3143 m), Shusung Tyaotyay, Shamshao, are stretched, separated by narrow, deep longitudinal valleys. The Annam Mountains (Chyong Son) stretch along the western border. In the central and southern part of the country there are basement and basalt plateaus - Pleiku, Daklak, Lamvien, Zilin, Central Plateau. The largest and most full-flowing rivers of Southeast Asia, the Hongha and Mekong, end their course in Vietnam, flowing into the South China Sea. In the lower reaches and delta of Hong Hi in northern Vietnam, there is an alluvial-deltaic plain of Bacbo. Here is the highest population density of the country (1100 people / km²-) and the capital of Vietnam Hanoi is located. The vast alluvial-delta plain of Nambo is located in the extreme southwest of the country in the Mekong Delta. It also has a high population density (450 people/km²-) and is located The largest city Ho Chi Minh country. Many small rivers flowing from the central plateau and the Annam Mountains at the confluence with the South China Sea formed a narrow strip of accumulative coastal plains.
Vietnam is located in the subequatorial monsoon climate, but due to the country's large length from north to south, the climatic conditions on its territory are somewhat different. Winter in the south is hot (26°C), in the north it is cool (15°C), the air temperature sometimes drops to 1°C due to the penetration of cold air from China. Frosts occur in the mountains at an altitude of more than 1500 m. The rainfall pattern also varies across Vietnam. Winters are dry in the south and wet in the north, and in summer monsoon rains water the entire territory of the country. In late summer and early autumn, the coast of Vietnam is visited by the destructive forces of typhoons. On the windward slopes of the mountains, 2500-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually, on the leeward slopes - 700-900 mm.
Climate
There are three regions in the country - the northern one with dry and mild winters and humid hot summers, the central one with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year, and the southern one, the climate of which is similar to the climate of the northern regions, but with higher temperatures.
In northern Vietnam, the dry season lasts from November to April, with the least amount of precipitation falling in December-January (about 10 mm). The maximum amount of precipitation occurs in July-August and varies depending on the location from 270 to 450 mm per month, and in the period from July to September, 80% of the annual precipitation falls, which is 1400-1700 mm. In mountainous areas, the amount of precipitation per year reaches 3000 mm. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of +18C during the day and +9C at night. In the mountains at altitudes of more than 1500 m in winter at night there are frosts, and snow is not ruled out. In the summer months, during the day, the thermometer rises to +30-32 degrees, at night it drops to +23. In the second half of summer and autumn, typhoons are not uncommon in the northern regions.
In central Vietnam in winter, daytime temperatures range from +21 to +24 degrees, nighttime temperatures from +15 to +18. The coldest month is January. During the summer, the air temperature remains almost unchanged - +34C during the day and +25C at night. By the nature of moisture in this region, a special area of coastal lowlands stands out. They are protected from the southwest monsoon by the Truong Son mountains, so the maximum precipitation in Vietnam is not officially called the summer months, as in other areas, but the autumn. The wettest months are September and October, when 400-500 mm of precipitation falls. The rainy season lasts until January. The least amount of precipitation occurs in February-March (about 40 mm).
In the south, the rainiest months are also July and August, but more precipitation falls - from 400 to 700 mm. Rains most often occur during the day in the form of short showers. In January, the coldest month, the characteristic night and day temperatures are +21 and +30 degrees, respectively. The warmest month is April with an average night temperature of +23oC and a daytime temperature of +33oC.
Administrative-territorial structure
Vietnam is divided into 58 provinces (Vietnamese Tỉ-nh, tinh). Along with this, there are 5 cities of central subordination, which have the same status as the provinces.
Population
Vietnam is a multinational country. more than fifty-four ethnic groups inhabit the territories of Vietnam from the Northern Highlands to the southern tip of Ca Mau. The ethnic majority of Vietnam - Kinhi - tiny, dark-haired, with brown or black eyes, the indigenous people of the country make up a total of eighty percent of the total population of Vietnam. By the way, the total population of Vietnam reaches eighty-two million inhabitants. Some other ethnic groups include the H'Mong, Muong, Zao and Thai peoples living in the Northern Highlands of Vietnam. The peoples living in the Southern Highlands of Vietnam include the tribes of Bahnar, Ede, M'Nong, Giaray, Stieng. Each group has its own traditions and language, but the most popular and widely spoken language in Vietnam is Vietnamese.
Religion
The population of Vietnam - Buddhists 9.3%, Catholics 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestants 0.5%, atheists and followers of local animistic cults 80.8%
The main religion of the Vietnamese is a system of folk beliefs, which is based on the rituals of "tho kung to thien" (the cult of ancestors), strictly performed by the majority of the inhabitants of the country. This cult does not have a formalized dogma, hierarchy of clergy and social organization (communities, parishes, etc.) and, therefore, does not have the status of a religious denomination. During the 1999 census, all persons who found it difficult to indicate their religious affiliation were recorded as atheists. It should also be noted that Buddhist temples often serve as places of worship of ancestors, which caused another popular misconception, according to which more than 80% of Vietnamese are Buddhists.
Economy
Vietnam exports crude oil, seafood, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, clothing and footwear ($57 billion in 2009). The main buyers are the USA 21.4%, Japan 14.4%, China 7.3%, Australia 4.4%, Germany 4.3%.
Vietnam imports industrial products, oil products, fertilizers, grain, cotton, cement, motorcycles ($65.1 billion in 2009). The main suppliers are China 20.9%, Singapore 9.6%, Japan 9%, Taiwan 8.2%, South Korea 7.7%, Thailand 6.4%, USA 4.3%.
In the past, the USSR and Vietnam cooperated closely in various fields: agriculture, oil production, construction and science, not to mention the military-technical industry. Now many projects are closed, but the Vietsovpetro joint venture in the city of Vung Tau and the Tropical Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Hanoi (with branches in Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang) are still operating.
For a long time, the economic growth of Vietnam was hampered by the American embargo and the excessive guardianship of the Soviet state - foreign capital was not welcome in the country. In December 1988, the Vietnamese government passed a law on foreign investment, which guaranteed companies from other states that their property and profits would not be nationalized. Vietnam, the official name of Vietnam, was drawn first by companies from the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, primarily South Korea and Australia, and then by many others. And in 1997, the Vietnamese parliament allowed all provinces and districts to independently conduct foreign trade operations. On January 11, 2007, Vietnam became the 150th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Holidays
Public Holidays: Tet - Bank Holiday Week in January or February - Hung Kings Memorial Day (floating holiday - usually in April) - April 30 - South Vietnam Liberation Day - May 1 - Workers' Day - May 19 - Ho's Birthday Shi Ming - September 2 - Independence Day (from France since 1945). The Vietnamese celebrate their New Year - Tet - according to the lunar calendar, so the holiday does not have a fixed date.
Transport
Large and small air-conditioned buses run from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to all other cities in Vietnam. Air and railway communication has been established between all major settlements. You can rent a car, but only with a driver. the local traffic police do not recognize any driver's license other than Vietnamese. To rent a motorcycle, nothing is required other than a deposit. In cities, it is best to use a taxi. The fare in the same way is $ 1-1.5 per landing and then every kilometer 6-10 cents (depending on the class of the car). The slowest, but the most exotic means of transport are cycle rickshaws, which are best suited for exploring the old quarters.
Interesting Facts
There is a legend that the Vietnamese (Viets) are descended from a dragon and a fairy bird.
In the city of Vung Tau in southern Vietnam, a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church has been operating since 2002.
In Vietnam, near the city of Da Nang, there is the longest cable car in the world.
The shape of Vietnam resembles the Latin letter "S".
Until recently, many people associated Vietnam with total poverty and did not arouse much interest among tourists. But today everything has changed - the country is considered one of the most popular resorts in the world. And all because there are warm tropics, an unforgettable Asian flavor and an affordable price policy for tour packages. What will a vacation in Vietnam be remembered for, when and where it is better to go, how to get there, what entertainment the country can offer a demanding tourist - we will talk about all this later in the article.
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
During its existence, Vietnam, whose history begins from the first millennium BC, has experienced many attempts on its territorial integrity and charter. He had to go through the times of the French colony, the Japanese occupation and a large number of wars. And the blind inheritance of the Soviet form of economic management led the country to a serious crisis in the economy. It took years to restore relations with developed countries on the world map, as well as to partially liberalize the economic system and rise from the ashes.
The name "Vietnam" comes from the ancient people of the Viet, who lived on the territory of the modern republic, and from the word "us", which means "southern" in their language.
The territory of the modern state is spread over several climatic zones. That is why it is very important to find out before the trip where and at what time of the year it is better to relax in Vietnam.
Where is on the map
The republic is located on the Indochina Peninsula, which is located in Southeast Asia. On the western side, its neighbors are Cambodia and Laos, from the north the country borders on the People's Republic of China, and from the south and east it is washed by the South China Sea.
The area of the state, the heart of which is the city of Hanoi, reaches about 332 thousand km2. More than 93 million people live in cities and villages in Vietnam. They use the official Vietnamese language and the national currency, which is the Vietnamese dong.
How to get from Moscow
The direct distance between Moscow and Vietnam is 6735 km. And tourists prefer to overcome it exclusively by planes. In this case, the flight lasts about 9-10 hours.
Today, Vietnam is the leading exporter of black pepper and cashew nuts. The republic also occupies the second position in the export of coffee outside the country. It is characteristic that coffee plants are not indigenous to these areas and were introduced into the crop production of the state by the French colonists.
The easiest way to get from the capital of Russia to Vietnam is through the main air gates of the republic. They are airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Due to the strong competition between airlines, tourists in this direction are provided with a large selection of flights at relatively low prices.
If you prefer resorts in the south of Vietnam, it is best to fly straight to Nha Trang, Da Nang or Phu Quoc Island. But in this case, be prepared that the cost of the ticket will be much more expensive. To save money, many travelers choose flights to the Vietnamese capital, and then get to their destination by bus.
To purchase the cheapest tickets, it is better to use search engines, which provide comparable prices for different airlines and many booking systems (Skyscanner and Aviasales). Practitioners say that in 90% of cases it is possible to save from 300 to 1000 rubles. But remember that on the eve of the holidays, as well as on weekends, the cost of the flight is much higher than on weekdays.
Consider yourself lucky if you manage to find tickets for the Moscow-Ho Chi Minh flight at a price of 27 thousand rubles. This is rare, but it is still possible to catch luck by the tail.
More than 40% of Vietnamese have the popular surname Nguyễn in the country, another 11% - Trần. So you already know half of the population of the republic.
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and other destinations
Vietnam through the spectrum of tourism seems to be very diverse. It only at first glance seems that, apart from rice fields and noodles traditional for the national cuisine, there is nothing interesting there. In fact, there is a place and activity in the state for athletes, seafood lovers, connoisseurs of historical sites, those who prefer exciting adventures and quiet family vacations, couples with children and fans of the fascinating water world. But let's talk about all this in order.
For many travelers, Vietnam begins with the capital. Tourists are amazed by the beauty of the local lakes that surround the city, historical monuments of the metropolis and buildings that have been preserved since the imperial era.
Near the heart of Vietnam, there are many places that every traveler simply must visit. We are talking about one of the famous wonders of the world - dragon bay. It is located just 160 km from Hanoi and impresses with its purity, pretty islands that protrude thickly from the emerald water.
Also worth seeing is Halong Bay. This is an intensively developing resort with hotels, entertainment centers and various boutiques. Perfect place for shopping, entertainment and beach holidays.
The Vietnamese language is characterized by six different keys. Their use radically changes the semantic meaning of words. Therefore, do not even try to master it yourself.
Among travelers who know everything about Vietnam, this large resort city of Ho Chi Minh City is called the center of entertainment and the water world. Its attractions are the botanical garden, an amusement park, the Give Nam attractions, a zoo, a cinema, and the Dam Sen water park. This is one of the best variations. family vacation with kids.
Fans of active vacations and athletes are best to choose the city of Mui Ne on the map of Vietnam. By the way, here you don’t have to rack your brains trying to understand the language of the native Vietnamese. The fact is that the resort has a lot of Russian-language signs and appropriate attendants. And in some restaurants you can even offer borscht and donuts traditional for our cuisine.
In Vietnam, it is not customary to completely drink any drink from a cup. At its bottom must be up to 10% of the drink.
Kiters and surfers should visit the local bay. Here, for beginners, there are special schools for fast learning, especially since the prices for the services offered are relatively low. No less interesting in this exotic paradise will be a family with children. For them, beautiful hotels, wide sandy beaches and plantings of luxurious palms and pines stretch along the entire coast.
For those who prefer to enjoy the masterpieces of seafood cuisine on vacation, Nha Trang is recommended. The city is located in the most beautiful bay, therefore it constantly attracts tourists with its beautiful landscapes and mild climate. This resort will be remembered for exotic colorful dishes, warm sea, amazing souvenirs, parks, attractions, diving, nightlife and a visit to the temple complex. The place is suitable for children and adults. Your child will be delighted with the Vinpearl Land water adventure park on the island of Hon Tre, the Chi-Nguyen aquarium (Neptune's Palace), and the aquarium for a long time to come.
Going on such a long journey, do not forget to stock up on time with the necessary set of medicines and repellents. In Vietnam, tourists often suffer from insect bites, poisonous plant fumes, jellyfish burns and the scorching sun, as well as food poisoning, allergies and dirty local water.
Fans of a relaxing holiday should go to Phu Quoc Island. There you will not find noisy streets of megacities, bright entertainment centers, endless shops, restaurants and cafes. Only the sea, palm trees, sun-drenched beaches, fabulous sunrises and sunsets. And also pearl farms and huge plantations of black pepper. Tour operators often recommend such a vacation to families with children and elderly travelers, as well as people who are tired of the daily bustle of the city. But this pleasure is much more expensive than the above resorts.
Similar impressions await you from a visit to Vung Tau. In this place, you can also be alone with nature and improve your health. The resort is worth visiting the statue of Jesus Christ. And if you climb up its spiral staircase, you can appreciate the panorama of the entire Vietnamese town.
For those who dream of a developing journey and are eager to immerse themselves in the centuries-old history of Asian peoples, the resort town of Hoi An is very suitable. There you will be impressed by the Marble Mountains, the Haivan Pass, museums of architecture and sculptures, the Cham complex Michon. Ancient traditions can be studied even just by walking along the local streets. They often meet antique shops and ancient temples.
Da Nang Resort is the perfect place to get acquainted with local traditions. But its only "minuses" are the high pricing policy in relation to tourists and some remoteness of the resort area from the center. These inconveniences are connected with the industrial and economic direction of the city.
In crowded places in Vietnamese resort cities, and especially in the capital, tourists should be on the alert. Very often, local entrepreneurs, spoiled by the constant flow of wealthy travelers, deceive and shortchange their customers. Also very often there are cases when the price of a product is significantly overstated. Therefore, before buying anything in Vietnam, study the market and never leave your belongings unattended.
Weather in Vietnam: when is the best time to travel?
If you choose where it is better to go on vacation in Vietnam, do not be too lazy to find out in which equatorial zone the resort you like is located. This is due to the large length of the republic from north to south. In addition, the monsoons have a significant influence on the climatic conditions of the area.
In water
All year round, tourists have the opportunity to enjoy the clear waters of the warm South China Sea, located in the tropical climate zone. Its emerald waves are striking in their transparency - the seabed is perfectly visible even through a 10-meter water column. Plus, she's always warm. The sea temperature never drops below 23 °C. And in August it warms up to the 30-degree mark.
On the land
In the northern regions of the state, sunny weather does not last long. In the summer season, the air warms up to 28–30 °C. And in winter, in the flat areas, the temperature drops to a stable 20 ° C. But in mountainous areas, the thermometer can fix only 5 ° C. These resorts are suitable for recreation only in summer, since it rains here from the beginning of September until the very end of May. Continuous showers will accompany you throughout February and March.
In Vietnam, there are no shuttle buses and cars that are familiar to us. The local population travels on motorcycles. In this country, every family has at least 2 bikes. And every day more than 10 million of such vehicles appear on the roads of the republic. In addition, it is not customary to let pedestrians pass at the crossings. Therefore, crossing busy highways constantly turns into an exciting and risky adventure.
It is best to go to the central zones of Vietnam in the spring and summer, because the rest of the year there are heavy rains. The climate of these areas is characterized by heat and high humidity. Average temperatures fluctuate between 35–40 °С in summer and 15–20 °С in winter.
The southern resorts of Vietnam are distinguished by year-round heat. The temperature here almost never drops below 25 °C. It also rains here, but they often fall only at night and do not last as long as in the north of the country. In addition, in the south, the air is never dry due to the constant evaporation of moisture.
Often, tour operators from Vietnamese resorts recommend to tourists:
- in the period from April to August - Hoi an;
- in the period from January to March, as well as in December and November - the island of Phu Quoc;
- in the period from February to September - Nha Trang;
- throughout the winter - Phan Thiet.
Vietnamese natives firmly believe in the mysterious power of snake wine, which is the country's national drink. It is prepared by preserving venomous reptiles in rice wine and grain alcohol. Moreover, local healers believe that the more dangerous the snake, the more useful the drink will be from it.
Popular beaches of the country
Today, almost the entire southern coast of the republic is popular with tourists. But only elite beaches deserve special love from travelers:
- Condao. It is located on the island of the same name and is characterized by white sand, crystal clear sea, dense thickets of coke palms, mangrove forests. It is here that you can easily find a unique plant or meet an exotic animal face to face.
- Mui Ne Beach. It is a wide beach strip that stretches between the cities of Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Local residents are accustomed to the constant influx of Russian tourists, so they adjust menus, signs and movie screenings in cinemas to suit them.
- Lang Co. The beach is located in the resort of Hue, where travelers are pleased with a variety of entertainment centers and restaurants with national cuisine.
- Ha Long. When the fantastic landscapes of this beach are opened for the first time, the pictures filled with modern special effects and computer graphics are fleetingly recalled. From a charming fairy tale, tourists are returned to reality by dirty sea water and a rather unpleasant nearby town.
- Phu Quoc. It is located 15 km from Cambodia and is the subject of quarrels between these 2 states. All coasts of the island are covered with sandy beaches with slightly pinkish fine sand and turquoise clear water. It is here that you can take a beautiful selfie on a palm tree that has approached the very sea. Providing shade, these trees are very appropriate in hot tropical climates. True, there are no good roads on the island. But there is an airport.
- Nha Trang. This is a pearl among all the beaches of Vietnam. It is characterized by a snow-white sand cover, stretching along the coast for 7 km. Since the area is located in a bay, which is almost completely hidden from high seas islands, the water here is never colder than + 24 ° C. Also here you can easily get acquainted with octopuses, shrimps, squids and other marine inhabitants that are found right off the coast.
- Danang. The beach occupies about 20 km of the resort town, but is distinguished by a small selection of hotels on the coast. Therefore, housing during a holiday in these areas must be taken care of in advance.
- Non Nuoc. Known for the sacred Marble Caves.
- Vung Tau. Beaches in this resort can be found for every taste. For example, wild and little-known places are suitable for hermits, while demanding spoiled travelers will be offered all the amenities on large modern beaches, which in many respects are similar to European ones. Mulberry (difficult to access), Front and Back beaches are popular.
There is a man in the country who has not slept for over 40 years. This is 75-year-old Thai Ngoc. In the prime of life, he experienced a severe fever and then lost his desire to sleep. As a result of the test that fell to him, the Vietnamese is experiencing discomfort. He confessed to one of the local newspapers that he "feels like a plant without water."
Attractions and excursions
Discovering something new in Vietnam is endless. Moreover, the country is in an endless revival after the wars experienced. The local population is especially anxious about ancient historical monuments. Although, let's not hide, we can see some of them today only thanks to the intervention of UNESCO, which insisted on the reconstruction of the destroyed buildings. So, if you follow the map of attractions of famous resorts in Vietnam from north to south, you can find many places where you really should go.
In the capital of the republic, you can visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Hanoi Citadel, the Cathedral of St. Joseph, the Museum of Military History and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. Also here is the largest zoo in the country "Thu Le". Its peculiarity is not only in acquaintance with exotic wild animals, but also in the opportunity to ride a boat, take a walk with children and get a dose of adrenaline from local attractions. Also near Hanoi is the Bai Thu Long archipelago, famous for its 3,000 miniature islands.
The city of Hue is home to many aerial pagodas and ancient palaces from the time of the Nguyen Dynasty. Particularly noteworthy are the ruins of the citadel of Kinh Thanh. It is here that you can see with your own eyes the complex of the Nine Holy Weapons, the forbidden purple city of Dai Non and the royal theater. You can also look at the imperial tombs, each of which is a small town.
Despite the 20 ° C outside, the Vietnamese consider this weather to be cold and, as a rule, wrap themselves in warm jackets and hats. And they also decided to wear two-toed socks, which allow you to wear the famous flip flops even in winter.
In the city-museum of Hoi An, which is located just south of the resort of Hue, you will be interested in everything. It is through this locality ran at that time the Great Silk Road. You will be amazed by the beauty of the temples, which in this city are like mushrooms after the rain. Among them are the legendary buildings of Fioklam, Kaodai, Kuan Kong.
In Nha Trang, it is worth taking a look at the Cham towers, of which only 4 have survived to this day. Also of interest is the Buddha statue, the Long Son pagoda and the marine fauna museum, which contains up to 8 thousand exhibits. Children should be shown the Chingyuen Aquarium, which is a lake divided into 3 parts, each of which is inhabited by decorative, edible and predatory fish.
For lovers of extreme sports, the Dalat mountain resort is very suitable, which is located 60 km from the port of Cam Ranh. For a great experience, you should look into the "madhouse" of the Hang Nga Hotel, as well as visit the Thung Lung Tinh Yeow Valley, Madame Dang Gallery and the Vion Hoa Da Lat Flower Gardens.
In Dalat, which is famous as "Vietnamese Paris", there is even a copy of the Eiffel Tower.
The cheapest diving and other outdoor activities
For obsessed divers, this corner of the planet is considered sacred. And all because it was in Nha Trang Bay that corals began to form for the first time on the planet. Today there are about 400 species of them, which is a record number. Few people know that there is a real coral reserve near Moon Island.
The most interesting places for diving are:
- the area around Madonna Rock and its underwater tunnels;
- coral garden reef, where hard corals grow;
- the area near Mushroom Reef, where flying fish and reef sharks are quite common, as well as colorful clown fish, moray eels, squid, giant turtles, seahorses and barracudas.
You don't have to go too deep here. Sea beauty can be seen already 5 m from the surface of the sea.
For beginners, diving clubs will offer paid training, after which a special certificate is issued. Experienced tourists who are fond of the underwater world advise, when choosing centers, to give preference exclusively to foreign establishments, and not to Vietnamese ones.
For some reason, all Vietnamese bathe in clothes. They do not swim, but go into the water to a sufficient depth and splash in warm waves. Inexplicably, they also snorkel dressed.
Among other outdoor activities in this exotic country, you may be offered to dive without scuba gear. This type of entertainment is called freediving. Depending on the level, its cost is in the range of $150–250. The most suitable area for such dives is Whale Island, located 80 km from Nha Trang. It is famous for its turtle farm, so it will be of interest to both beginners and experienced divers.
During the day, everyday Vietnam resembles a large anthill, in which every resident is immersed in his worries with his head. And at night he does not stop, but on the contrary, with renewed vigor, he is reborn into something new and mysterious. Night Vietnamese cities are famous for grandiose parties and sexual adventures. Seeing off the sun at sunset, people begin to celebrate. And it doesn't need a reason to do so. Such a tradition arose here during the Vietnam-American War, when, after hard days, the soldiers of the army of the United States of America took their souls away with noisy parties. Young Vietnamese were also often invited to them. The idea was so liked by the indigenous people that it was firmly rooted in their lives.
Don't lose your head from Vietnam at night. Be vigilant even under a degree of strong drinks. Do not make dubious acquaintances and do not invite strangers to the hotel room. Indeed, often, when the morning comes and the veil of holiday euphoria leaves the eyes, travelers do not find a mysterious "night butterfly" near them, nor money, nor documents.
If you want to taste all the delights of the Vietnamese night emancipation, then feel free to go to the capital of the Republic of Hanoi and the northern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh, called Saigon in local circles. It is in these two centers that the nightlife of the country is concentrated. Even despite the prohibitions of local authorities, bars, restaurants, gay clubs and other similar establishments, imitating their closure at midnight, continue to let customers in from the back door until the morning. Of course, not all nightclubs act this way, which should be taken into account when making plans for the night. Be prepared that you can not only be invited to a dance, but also be offered delicate services.
The famous Saigon club "Apocalypse Now" is considered a leader in the Vietnamese sex industry. It has existed for several decades and does not lose the status of the main sex attractions of the republic. There are so many pretty priestesses of love in this institution that it will be oh so difficult to choose. You can recognize the institution even from a distance by bright signs and barkers that hang around the doors with a simple slogan “lady, boom”. Along with brothels, street prostitution is also flourishing in the country. Often on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi you can meet pimps riding motorcycles with a frightening menacing look.
Guests of the capital and resort Nha Trang will also be provided with erotic massage. In such salons, local bars are full of people any day and at any time of the year. Most of them are foreign tourists. But the Vietnamese themselves also do not refuse fun.
Other Vietnamese cities, especially resorts, also live their own nightlife, but, as a rule, it lasts only until midnight.
In search of hot entertainment in Vietnam, do not forget about contraception. At first glance, this seems like a silly reminder for schoolchildren. But practice shows that in the heat of passion and drunk alcohol, tourists forget about elementary condoms, as a result of which they return from vacation with a bunch of venereal diseases.
There are many places where you can relax from the heart in Vietnam at night. For example, several metropolitan clubs:
- "Funky Monkey" (address: 31 Hang Thung) - known for a variety of cocktails, pool games, exotic dances and musical preferences in the style of house, trance or techno;
- R & R Tavern (address: 10 Tho Nhuom St) - famous for excellent beer, rock music and unforgettable landscapes that open directly from the terrace;
- "Solace" (address: Chuong Duong Do) - is a youth institution that prefers non-stop music, fiery dances and lighting effects;
- "The Spotted Cow" (address: 23C Hai Ba Trung) - lovers of football, billiards, darts and beauties pave the way here.
Accommodation Features
Vietnam is a unique country not only in terms of tropical exotic fauna and flora. Also here are not quite usual conditions for us to move along the streets, live and have a very specific cuisine. Let's consider everything in order.
During a night of fun in Saigon, watch your wallet, purse or bag. After all, bikers rush around the metropolis, who do not miss the opportunity of easy material extraction. It is best to leave all valuables in the hotel safe.
Transport
In this country, there are all types of modern transport - from a scooter to an airplane and international taxis. But the locals seem to have taken a liking to motorcycles for a long time. They move in a chaotic manner through the streets of large cities and small villages.
In any case, there will never be any problems with transport in Vietnam. Of course, inconvenience on the road and frequent transfers are quite likely, but you can get to the right place.
The republic's air transport is mostly represented by the major carrier Vietnam Airlines and small companies Vietnam Airlines, VASCO, AirMekong, and VietJet. They fly exclusively to major cities and resorts of the country. In some popular places among tourists, you can find special taxis that will take you to the airport.
The railway sector of Vietnam is characterized by weak development. It is difficult to even call it a network, since trains run from north to south, with stops in Saigon, Hanoi, Sapa, Haiphong and Halong. Transport of this type is of two categories:
- SE - make stops only in megacities and therefore are considered high-speed and very comfortable;
- TN - regular trains.
The fastest train in Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi takes 29 hours.
For convenient and high-speed movement around the state, travelers choose buses. The category that is intended for international transportation is equipped with sleeping places, and you need to enter such transport barefoot with shoes wrapped in a bag. There is also an Open Bus transport system.
If you decide to see the local islands, then you can’t do without a public boat. For example, along the Mekong Delta, it is convenient to quickly get from Ho Chi Minh City to Kanto by water transport, which departs from Saigon's Ton Duc Thang Avenue pier at 8:00 and arrives at its destination in 5 hours. The cost of such a trip is $1.
For tourists in Vietnam, there is also a taxi. But experienced travelers do not use it very willingly, since almost always all attempts to use this service end in disputes. Taxi drivers want to charge foreigners as much as possible, and for this they twist the meters and invent many ways to get their own.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam ranks second in rice consumption. Each average citizen of the country eats about 169 kg of this product per year.
But do not expect to see taxi cars familiar to us on the streets of this state. Mostly motorcycle taxi services are offered. This method of transportation is considered the cheapest and riskiest. An hour trip will cost $2, and a 12-hour trip will cost $10. If you have to travel outside the city, the cost of the trip will increase to $15.
Nutrition
Vietnamese cuisine has absorbed the traditions of Indian, Chinese, French, American and at the same time has not lost its uniqueness, retaining a zest of originality. But at the same time, it is not suitable for all tourists. After all, not everyone can eat dog, snake, turtle or rat meat, and seafood often causes an allergic reaction in European tourists.
Very rarely, the Vietnamese eat beef, and you will almost never find duck and goat dishes here. But frequent guests on the table are chicken and shrimp.
A characteristic feature of the cuisine of this people is a rich variety of sauces, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. Local chefs will always decorate any dish with coriander, basil, mint leaves and serve some kind of dipping sauce to it.
Most of the dishes are based on rice, which is simply adored here. Its green sprouts even decorate tables in cafes and restaurants instead of flowers. And don't expect to find a lot of different dishes on the menu for every taste. It won't be there. You will be offered only traditional rice and noodles with different sauces.
Before tasting the masterpieces of Vietnamese chefs, make sure that there are no products in the composition of the dish that can trigger your allergies.
Housing
In Vietnam, you can independently rent housing for every taste. True, you need to deal with this issue in advance (a few months before departure). Depending on your financial capacity, you may consider:
- Gests and guest houses, which are a small room with a minimal set of furniture, a bathroom and Wi-Fi. This option is intended for undemanding travelers. If the accommodation is rented by the day, the payment includes the cost of electricity. If you plan to live there for a month or more, then you will have to pay for the light by the meter. As a rule, this amount ranges from $10 to $70.
- Rooms in small hotels. Here you will get the same conditions as in the guesthouses, only with the best service and maintenance.
- Homestays. These are family-type houses with or without owners. They are offered in the north of the country. As a rule, cleaning and change of linen are included in the price.
- Apartments and studios. This option is for wealthy tourists who plan to stay in Vietnam for at least a month. The range includes large houses with several bedrooms, balconies, large windows and modern appliances. You can also be offered reception services, which will solve all your domestic issues, and security.
- At home. They provide a large yard and parking space, so they are preferred for family travelers with children and a car.
- Villas. This is a premium property. It is located in a closed area, which is guarded.
Against the backdrop of this luxury that is offered to tourists, the Vietnamese themselves live in very narrow, like school pencil cases, houses without windows and with a minimum of furniture.
Shopping in Vietnam
For zealous shopping fans, Vietnam is a real paradise. After all, the country is gradually beginning to win the status of the second after China "things workshop of the world." Here you can buy absolutely everything: from watches, clothes, shoes to furniture and pearls. Moreover, Western tourists are satisfied with both the price and the quality of goods.
If you are in Vietnam, be sure to pay attention to local silks, jewelry, gems, tea, coffee, ceramics, wooden souvenirs and poisonous snake balms.
Feel free to bargain - in local shops this is exactly what they expect from you. Therefore, the prices of goods are very inflated. The country appreciates bargaining, which is built on mutual respect for the interests of the buyer and seller.
For example, in Ho Chi Minh City, for a successful bargain, you should go to the Ben Thanh market or to the Diamond shopping and entertainment complex. Also, the Tax Trade Center department store is perfect for these purposes.
Fortunately for shopaholics, there are plenty of places in this country where you can spend all your money and be satisfied with your purchases.
We hope that our advice will be useful to you and will help you plan an unforgettable vacation in Vietnam, which will be reminded of for a long time by purchased souvenirs and bright life-affirming photos.
Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia, located on the Indochina Peninsula and washed from the east and south by the South China Sea. The official name of the country is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Vietnam's neighboring states are Laos and Cambodia, with which Vietnam borders in the west, as well as China, with which the border lies in the north. The total area of the country is 331,212 square kilometers, which is only 65th in the world. B O Most of Vietnam is occupied by low or medium height mountains and plateaus. The highest point in the country is Mount Fansipan (3143 meters) of the Hoanglyenshon mountain range. In addition, the largest Indochinese rivers Mekong and Hongha flow through Vietnam, which flow into the South China Sea.
For a long time, Vietnam was an Indochinese colony of France and achieved independence only in the middle of the 20th century - this happened in 1945, although armed clashes continued in the country for several more years. Vietnam is also the scene of a 1965-1973 war with the United States that cost many lives on both sides.
Modern Vietnam is a socialist state that has chosen the Chinese version of development - the modernization and liberalization of the economy. As of 2016, the population of Vietnam is 94,569,072 people.
Visa
To enter Vietnam for a period of more than 15 days, citizens of the Russian Federation must have a visa obtained from the consulate of Vietnam, and you can also apply for a visa directly upon arrival.
In order to obtain a visa at the consulate, you need to provide the following documents: a foreign passport (minimum validity - 6 months from the end of the trip); 2 photographs 4×6 cm; 2 questionnaires completed in Russian, English or French; invitation, travel voucher or booking. The visa is issued within 5 working days, and its validity period is 30 days. In addition, a US$25 consular fee is charged.
When obtaining a visa directly at the border, at the Vietnamese airport, you need to provide 2 photos 3 × 4 in size, one completed application form, as well as a visa permit from the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, which is issued within 5-7 working days. Upon arrival, citizens must go to the "Visa on arrival" window, and from that moment the vacation in Vietnam begins.
Among other things, the visa indicates the points of entry and exit through which the guest of the country can cross the border. To change the specified location, you must contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. This service is paid.
If the period of stay in Vietnam does not exceed 15 days, then Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa. In addition, neighboring Laos and Cambodia have similar rules (in Cambodia you can easily get a visa at the border), so after a 15-day stay in Vietnam, you can leave for one of the neighboring countries and then return again for 15 days. Often, when entering Vietnam for a period of less than 15 days, border guards may require you to present a ticket to leave the country - this is prescribed by the rules, but not always enforced.
Customs regulations
When entering Vietnam, there are certain customs regulations. So, an unlimited amount of foreign convertible currency can be imported into the country, however, if the amount exceeds 3,000 US dollars, then the currency must be declared, since no more than the declared amount can be exported from the country.
You can also carry, without paying a duty, the following goods: a maximum of 1.5 liters of strong alcohol or 2 liters of drinks with an alcohol content of maximum 22 degrees; either 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 500 grams of tobacco; 5 kilograms of tea; maximum 3 kilograms of coffee, as well as two cans of black or red caviar weighing no more than 100 grams. In addition, other goods are also transported, the total value of which does not exceed 5 million VND (Vietnamese dong).
As in other countries of Southeast Asia, the penalties for trying to smuggle drugs are the most severe, up to and including the death penalty. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to transport medicines containing narcotic substances without having the permission of doctors to use them, as well as explosives, firearms, pornographic products or insulting local culture.
Current time in Hanoi:
(UTC+7)
Upon arrival, all tourists undergo sanitary and epidemiological control, and on board the aircraft they fill out a Declaration of Health. If during the control the visitor does not show any symptoms of diseases such as AIDS, plague, tuberculosis, cholera, yellow fever and others, then no problems will arise. Otherwise, the tourist is waiting for treatment in one of the local hospitals, and not a good rest in Vietnam.
How to get there
It is relatively easy to get to Vietnam from Russia - two airlines operate regular flights, but the list of Russian cities from where you can fly directly to Vietnam is limited to Moscow. But during the tourist season (during the winter months), charter flights are also carried out from other cities, for example, from Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk.
You can fly directly from Moscow to Hanoi with Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines flights. Aeroflot flies daily, Vietnam Airlines - three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Both Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines operate direct flights from Sheremetyevo Airport to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport. The flight is very long, so passengers are provided with meals twice. Time in the air is 9 and a half hours.
You can also fly to Ho Chi Minh City from Sheremetyevo by Aeroflot without a transfer, by direct flight. Travel time is about the same as to Hanoi.
From Vladivostok, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk, S7 planes can fly direct to the resort town of Nha Trang.
Connecting flights
From Russia to Hanoi
- Emirates Airlines from Moscow and St. Petersburg with a transfer in Dubai.
From Russia to Ho Chi Minh
- Turkish Airlines from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Samara and Ufa with a transfer in Istanbul.
- Airline "Thai" from Moscow with a change in Bangkok.
- Air China airline from Moscow with a transfer in Beijing.
- By Qatar Airways from Moscow and St. Petersburg with a transfer in Doha.
- By Korean Air from Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Moscow and St. Petersburg with a transfer in Seoul (Incheon Airport).
- By Japan Airlines from Moscow with a transfer to Tokyo (Narita Airport).
There are more complex options - with two transplants. However, during periods of airline sales, it makes sense to use them because of attractive prices. For example, you can get to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by Air France from Moscow and St. Petersburg with transfers in Paris and Bangkok.
It is worth remembering that long flights are associated with a certain risk to the health of passengers who do not tolerate such loads.
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Climate and weather in Vietnam
So that your holiday in Vietnam is not spoiled weather conditions, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the climate data for the country. The climate in Vietnam is tropical monsoon, so the humidity is quite high, averaging 84% throughout the year. However, the climate often differs markedly from region to region. This happens because of the difference in latitudes and in the features of the relief of a particular area. The winter dry season, which lasts from November to April, is dry only in comparison to the rainy season, as there is enough rainfall during these months, thanks to the monsoon winds blowing from the northeast coast of China. In the southern regions of the country, it is quite hot in winter - about 25 degrees, while in the north it is on average 10 degrees colder. The lowest temperatures are in December and January, sometimes reaching only 1 degree above zero. In any case, it is most comfortable in the south of the country, where in any season the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees, and in April - the hottest month - sometimes even reaches 37 degrees.
The average annual rainfall ranges from 1200-3000 millimeters per year, with 90% of all rainfall occurring between May and October. At this time, each region of the country receives its portion of precipitation, but in the winter months in the south of Vietnam, the probability of rain is much less than in the north. It is also worth knowing that in late summer and early autumn, the time comes for typhoons, often with truly destructive power.
Cities and regions
Vietnam consists of 59 rather small provinces, plus there are 4 cities of central subordination - these are the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong and Da Nang. The most developed provinces from an economic point of view are located in the northeast of the country, which is not so popular among tourists, as well as in the south of the country near the city of Ho Chi Minh City.
Administrative divisions of Vietnam
Provinces of Vietnam
Laytiau Lao Cai How Giang Caobang Dien Bien Sonla Yen Bai Tuen Quang Bak Kan Lang Son futo Vinh Phuc Thai Nguyen Buck Zyang Buck Ninh |
Hai Duong Quang Ninh hung yen Haiphong City Thaibinh Ha Nam Nam ding Ninh Binh Hoa Binh Thanh Hoa Ngean Hatin Quangbinh Quang Tri Tua Thien Hue |
Quang Nam Kontum Quang Ngai Zia Lai bin ding Fu Yen Duck Lak Khanh Hoa Dak Nong Lam Dong Ninh Tuan Binh Thuan Binh Phuoc Dong Nai Baria-Vung Tau |
Tai Ninh Binh Duong Long An Tienjiang Dong Thap Vinh Long Benche Kanto How Giang Chavin An Giang Shokchang buckleu Kien Giang Camau |
Major cities and islands of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam's largest city and economic capital of the country. A lot of industries are developed here; it is estimated that 40% of Vietnamese exports come from Ho Chi Minh City. The city was founded by the French colonizers in 1874 (the official date of foundation is March 15, 1874). Until 1975, the city was called Saigon.
Nha Trang
The city of Nha Trang is the capital of Khanh Hoa province and at the same time the capital of a beach holiday in Vietnam. Simply put, it is the most popular resort in the country. About 200,000 people live in Nha Trang, and almost the entire life of local residents is connected with the tourism industry.
halong
Halong is both a city and a bay. The city itself is nothing special, and the real pearl of this area and the whole of Vietnam is Halong Bay. This bay is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Surprisingly, more than 1,600 islets and rocks of various shapes, sometimes very bizarre, are scattered over an area of 1,500 square kilometers, which makes the bay more like a fairy-tale than a real place. No wonder Halong Bay is one of the most visited places in Vietnam.
Phu Quoc
The Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc is located in the Gulf of Thailand, just 15 kilometers from the coast of neighboring Cambodia. The island, whose area reaches 567 square kilometers, is also called the "island of 99 mountains." Phu Quoc is home to 85,000 people, mostly employed in tourism or agriculture.
What to see
By clicking on the links in the text, you can get more detailed information about a specific object (description, location on the map, cost of entrance tickets, opening hours, ways to get there, photos, tourist reviews, etc.). If you are interested in the sights of Vietnam as a whole, without division into cities, there is a special section for this.
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
There are many things to see in Ho Chi Minh interesting buildings- colonial buildings, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon, Buddhist temples and pagodas, the Presidential Palace, mosques and much more.
In addition, from Ho Chi Minh itself you can easily get to the neighboring province of Tai Ninh, where there are many beautiful Cao Dai temples, as well as the Mekong Delta region.
As for sights, in the central part of the city there are several very interesting places for tourists. And if you come to Ho Chi Minh in the summer, from mid-May to the end of August, you can find "Southern Fruit Festival" held here every year.
Nha Trang
Among the attractions of Nha Trang, it is necessary to highlight the Long Son Pagoda, behind which, on the top of the hill, there is a large stone statue of Buddha sitting on a lotus flower. You can also look at the Cham towers of the 13th century, which were built in the era of the Champa state. It is also possible to swim with an excursion to Monkey Island, located 12 kilometers north of Hon Che Island. The tour includes a cruise around the islands, fishing, visiting the Bajo waterfall, mud and mineral springs, local craft villages. If you wish, you can visit the Circus of Dogs and Monkeys, the Circus of Elephants and Bears and much more on the island.
halong
A mandatory item of the program is a trip on a boat or some other vessel around the islands. At the pier in the city, you can find out in detail about all the possible routes, which can be both short and long, and even include an overnight stay on the ship. The usual excursion includes a visit to a fishing village on one of the islands, a cave, as well as an island named after German Titov, the famous Soviet cosmonaut who vacationed here in the 70s. You can also do night fishing directly from the boat, which, however, must be ordered in advance. But then you can enjoy the taste of your own catch! Popular islands in Halong Bay are Tuan Chau and Cat Ba Islands.
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc has a large number of beautiful beaches stretching from the town of Duong Dong to the town of An Thoi. The island has many beautiful hills and mountains covered with tropical forest. In addition, in Phu Quoc you can watch the sunset on the sea, which is not done in other resorts in Vietnam that face the east.
Resorts of Vietnam
Tourists in Vietnam, first of all, will be interested in its numerous beaches and warm sea, and only then the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and everything else. There are plenty of resort towns in the country. Of course, not all of them correspond to the European level of quality, equipment and infrastructure. It is noteworthy that the resorts stretch along the entire coast of Vietnam - from the southern island of Phu Quoc to the resort of Mong Cai in the north of the country.
The waters of the South China Sea are quite salty - saltier than in the neighboring Gulf of Thailand, but at the same time more beneficial to health. At the confluence of the rivers (especially the Mekong and the Red), the water is fresher.
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Entertainment
Parks and recreation areas
Transport
Shops and markets
Wellness vacation
Private guides in Vietnam
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Vietnam in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Movement around the country
In Vietnam, in one quantity or another, you can meet and use all modern modes of transport - from domestic aircraft to intercity buses and taxis. Some of them are very well developed, some are not enough, but in some cases they can be irreplaceable. In any case, there is an opportunity to get even to remote places in Vietnam, even if you have to make several transfers from one mode of transport to another or, say, from one bus route to another.
The following types of transport are developed in the country: air transport, rail transport, buses, water passenger transport and various types of taxis. You can find recommendations on moving around the country and get to know each type of Vietnamese transport in more detail in our special material “Transport in Vietnam: from a scooter to an airplane”.
Communication
Vietnamese is a member of the Viet Muong group of the Australo-Asiatic language family and is the native language of the Viet and the Kinh people. Neighboring China has had a great influence on the Vietnamese language and culture: two-thirds of the words in the Vietnamese language are of Chinese origin.
It is very convenient for tourists that instead of hieroglyphs in the Vietnamese language, the Latin alphabet is used, although with the addition of diacritics under or above the letter, which indicate a particular tone, in vowels. Due to the fact that there are a huge number of tones and semitones in Vietnamese speech, it is very difficult to perceive it by ear. At the same time, the Vietnamese themselves have problems with the correct pronunciation of European words. It is often very difficult to make out what a Vietnamese person is saying in English.
English is the most common foreign language among the locals, which, however, is not surprising. It is studied at school, at universities, in courses, etc. Also, Chinese is taught in educational institutions in Vietnam - the second most popular foreign language after English. English and Chinese are followed by French, Russian and German, but they are much less common. So, Russian is most often known by adults who studied at the universities of the USSR, as well as Vietnamese merchants who returned from Russia, but their level of language proficiency is very low. Recently, due to an increase in the number of tourists from Russia in the resort areas, local residents are slowly beginning to master the Russian language.
culture
Vietnamese culture throughout its centuries-old history has been subjected to numerous influences of its powerful neighbors or the mother country, but each time it melts them into something original and unique in its own way. India and China play a special role in the development of Vietnamese culture. China introduced more than half of the words and hieroglyphic writing into the Vietnamese language (in the 20th century it was replaced by the Latin alphabet), and into culture - Confucianism and elements of Taoism. In addition, in the Middle Ages, the influence of Indian culture was noticeable, and later, after the colonization of Vietnam by the French, the French. This was reflected, in particular, in the architecture of many cities, especially Ho Chi Minh City. In the second half of the 20th century, with the coming to power of the communists, many elements of culture began to be borrowed from the Soviet Union.
Vietnamese literature has a rich history - from ancient folklore, including the legend of the Dragon Sovereign Lac Long Quan, the Muong epic "The Birth of Water and the Birth of the Earth" to books of the 20th century, similar in theme to European literature. The most significant writers in the history of Vietnam worked in modern times - Nguyen Chai in the 15th century, Nguyen Binh Khiem in the 16th century and Nguyen Dhu at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. Nguyen Chai is one of the first major Vietnamese writers, as well as an outstanding statesman and philosopher. Nguyen Binh Khiem was an outstanding poet, close in outlook to Taoism, and Nguyen Du, who wrote the poems “The Lamentations of a Tortured Soul” and “The Tale of Kieu”, is as significant a figure in Vietnam as Pushkin is in Russia.
Vietnamese folk music is quite original. A large number of vocal genres can surprise you, and among the main musical instruments one can single out the amazing disc-like guitar, which can be either four or five strings, as well as dan tam (three-string guitar), dan ni (violin with only two strings ) and om dit is a Vietnamese bamboo flute.
Theater is popular in Vietnam, presented in several interesting genres. Teo is an ancient folk theater, which at one time originated among the peasants who lived in the Red River Delta. Today it exists in the provinces of Thai Binh and Hai Hung. Theatrical performances include folk music and the use of traditional folklore stories.
Vietnamese opera is called Tuong. Tuong originated in a courtly atmosphere and is considered a high theatrical genre that combines dance, music, pantomime, poetry, acrobatic arts and more. By the way, there are no decorations on the stage, and a heroic character is always in the center of the performance.
Particularly interesting is the water puppet theater, which has no analogues in the world. It also originated in the Red River Delta. The puppets move on the water during sunset, and all the action is accompanied by pleasant melodic music. The puppets are controlled by actors standing waist-deep in the water, hidden behind a bamboo screen, so that they have the opportunity to watch the puppets. The performances begin with the appearance of a boy doll Teu, who says: “Hello everyone! I don't need to introduce myself?"
Kitchen
Vietnam is a paradise for gourmets. The culinary traditions of this country are striking in their richness and variety of dishes and ingredients. Many recipes were borrowed from China, India and France, but it is by no means possible to say that Vietnamese cuisine is a clone of any of them.
The use of many sauces and seasonings is widespread in Vietnamese cuisine. In dishes prepared, by the way, only from fresh products, seasonings from garlic, onion and ginger root, as well as purely Vietnamese sauces "nuoc mam" and "nuoc cham" are often added. In Vietnam, various herbs and even bamboo are very popular, the young shoots of which are readily eaten.
The most popular foods used in Vietnamese cuisine are rice, seafood, pork, noodles, herbs and more.
Especially worth focusing on rice. This crop is one of the symbols of all of Southeast Asia, and Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice in the world. In addition, Vietnam refused to grow genetically modified rice, so there is no doubt about the quality of the product. In every Vietnamese family, rice is the main dish on the table, but beyond that, it is part of countless of the most amazing and original recipes.
Vegetarian cuisine is also developed in Vietnam, which is explained, first of all, by Buddhist gastronomic traditions. Among Vietnamese non-meat dishes, rice with fried dou-fu bean curd and rau vegetables can be distinguished. In general, soy and products from it in Vietnamese cuisine replace dairy products, which are practically not used among the Vietnamese. There is, for example, a special soy milk called sya-dau-nan. Soy sauce is very popular.
Widely used are various fruits that grow in abundance in Vietnam. These are coconuts, durian, guava, lemons, lychee, Javanese apple, Siamese persimmon, papaya, rambutan and many other exotic fruits.
As for meat dishes, the Vietnamese usually eat familiar beef, pork and poultry meat. Various insects or reptiles are now considered rare delicacies that are not served in any restaurant.
In general, Vietnamese cuisine is rich in exotic meats. For example, you can taste boa constrictor meat, which is considered extremely useful. Or try a snake dish, which is a whole act like a ritual, which can really shock the especially impressionable. The waiter makes a small incision on a still living snake, then removes the heart from it and bleeds it. The person who ordered the dish eats a beating snake heart and drinks rice vodka mixed with snake blood. After that, vodka is used, already mixed with snake bile. After some time, a ready-made dish is served - snake meat fried with spices and nuts. The head of the snake is cut off during cooking so that the poison cannot get into the dish.
Among other exotics are dishes from field rats, from dogs, from cats (although there is an official ban on their use) and many other amazing ingredients.
Purchases
Shopping is an indispensable component of any holiday. Somewhere it is developed in such a way that it seems that there is nowhere to develop further, but somewhere in terms of purchases, everything is not in the best way. Vietnam is somewhere in the middle, with a bias towards the first group. Shopping here is not at the same level as in neighboring Thailand, but with an increase in the number of tourists, there are good reasons for quality development. Moreover, Vietnam has something to offer its guests.
Connection
For calls to other countries in Vietnam, there are special call centers, as well as street payphones. Guests staying in hotels have the opportunity to make calls directly from there, but this is quite expensive.
The international code for Vietnam is 84.
- For calls from Vietnam to Russia, you need to dial: 007 - area code - subscriber number
- For calls from Russia to Vietnam, you need to dial: 8-10-84 - area code - subscriber number
Major city codes
- Hanoi - 4
- Ho Chi Minh City - 8
- Hai Phong - 32
- Da Nang - 511
- Hue - 54
There are no problems with cellular communications, since all three largest Russian operators — MTS, Beeline and Megafon — have agreements with Vietnamese companies. Vietnamese operators: MobiFone, VinaFone, S-Fone, G-Tel, Vietnamobile, Viettel Mobile. A SIM card from a Vietnamese operator costs about $5, which includes 30 minutes of talk time.
You need to be careful if you are dealing with local “priestesses of love”, who are often not averse to profiting from the wallets of their clients. Foreigners can play gambling games only in special establishments, and an attempt to involve local residents in them can result in criminal prosecution. Everything related to drugs is especially strictly punished - possession, distribution, use. In this case, the most severe punishments are applied, up to the death penalty. This is a traditional practice in Southeast Asia.
Tourists should exercise discretion during their holidays. In particular, this applies to the use of alcohol, since a tourist who has “overdone” in Vietnam can easily get into trouble, become a victim of a robbery, etc. When swimming, it is worth watching the ocean surf, which can become a source of danger. Between September and November, typhoons often approach Vietnam and severe flooding in some parts of the country.
As for health issues, before coming to Vietnam, you need to take care of the issue of obtaining medical insurance (regular or extended). You can also pay a fee to International SOS and use the medical services they provide in branches in Vietnam. The address in Hanoi is 31 Hai Ba Trung in the central part of the city. Phone - 9340555.
In the Vietnamese province, sanitary conditions are not very good - both in local hospitals and in hotels. The services of doctors are paid almost everywhere in cash only, and treatment under policies is carried out only in some metropolitan clinics. True, it is worth noting that prices in Vietnam are lower than in neighboring Thailand.
You need to be careful when ordering Vietnamese cuisine, which is quite unusual for Europeans because of its spiciness, abundance of spices and exotic products. If you overestimate your strength, then problems with the stomach and intestines are likely.
Where to stay
Vietnam will please all visitors with a large selection of accommodation options - there are not only many hotels and guesthouses, but also a wide range of prices, and the level of service is quite high. In addition, Vietnamese hotels have a unique Asian flavor that adds color to the whole holiday. In total, there are approximately 11 thousand hotels in Vietnam, while not experiencing a serious shortage of guests.
Cheap accommodation options are 2- and 3-star hotels, which are similar in quality to Turkish 3- and 4-star hotels, so many experts rightly point out that the class of Vietnamese hotels is somewhat underestimated. 2-star hotels are usually located in old 4-6-storey buildings, well finished inside. The rooms have a bath or shower with hot water, air conditioning, satellite TV and even a mini-bar. three-star hotels occupy more modern and large buildings, and the level of service and equipment in them is quite high. Prices in hotels of categories 2 and 3 stars - about 15-40 dollars per night.
An even more budget option are guesthouses, prices in which are often below $10, and the number of them in tourist places is truly huge. In Ho Chi Minh City, for example, many guesthouses and cheap hotels can be found in Pham Niu Lao, considered a backpacker area. True, it is not a fact that there will be hot water in cheap guesthouses and hotels.
In resort towns, in particular in Nha Trang, accommodation is likely to cost more than in the capitals. Many tourists come to these cities, who are poorly versed in the intricacies of the Vietnamese tour business and are able, moreover, to easily part with large sums money. For such tourists, there are luxury hotels of 4 and 5 stars with their own pools, private beaches, etc.
For more economical lovers of Vietnamese beaches, there are many bungalows. True, the amenities in them are minimal, moreover, if the walls of the bungalow are bamboo, then mosquitoes can fly inside through the existing gaps. However, mosquito ointments may well correct the situation. In any case, the most vivid memories of a vacation in Vietnam almost always remain!
Vietnam is a unique country with deep and multifaceted cultural values, diverse landscapes, and no less diverse climatic conditions.
Here you can find everything you want:
Beautiful beaches with quartz white sand;
majestic mountains;
Dense tropical forests;
sand dunes;
Foothill and mountain valleys hidden from human eyes;
Wild jungle with bright and unusual birds;
Predatory animals that hide in dense thickets;
Warm and clean South China Sea, the color of emerald.
Here you can not resist the desire to visit here. Here you will think, where is Vietnam? The answer to this question will be quite simple.
The Republic of Vietnam, a country in Southeast Asia, is located on the Indochina Peninsula, in its easternmost part. This state is one of the most densely populated in the world. The country borders Laos in the northwest, Cambodia in the southwest, and China (PRC) in the north.
Opening the question of where Vietnam is located, it should be noted that in the south the coast of Vietnam is caressed by the warm South China Sea and the Strait of Siam, so you can export goods and sea route. Some types of goods are in special demand among countries such as the USA, Japan, Germany, China. Exports are mainly shoes and clothing, rice, oil, coffee, rubber, and some varieties of tea.
Hanoi is the capital of this state. The official language is Vietnamese, but Chinese is also used, and a little Russian, English and French.
In addition to the mainland, the state of Vietnam also includes islands such as Phu Kok and Con Dao.
Where is Vietnam located: relief
The territory of the state is 332 thousand sq. km. In the north of the republic lies the mountainous part of the Yunnan Highlands, and in the east of the mountainous region lies the Hongha River Delta. Then the Annam Mountains stretched to the south, which occupied the central part of the country.
In Vietnam, there are still warm mineral springs, which are located in Binchau, with a temperature of about +40′C. Therefore, there are a lot of spa centers in the country, which, in addition to spa treatments, also specialize in oriental massage. For deep cleansing of the skin and in cosmetology, healing clay is used, which is extracted from the same mineral sources.