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Mysterious aromas, rhythmic city sounds and a way of life that is truly magnetizing: this whirlwind of senses is what you will encounter as you explore a vibrant Asian city.
With a young population that has driven rapid growth over the past decade, this is fitting evidence for a country that has only achieved consistent levels of peace since the 1980s.
The fascinating country of Vietnam, once ruled for centuries by China, followed by France, and then by ongoing conflict with the US and finally neighboring Cambodia, has become one of Asia’s biggest sensations.
For a country whose timeline has been marked by war, you would almost never know it when the friendly locals welcome all walks of life with open arms.
Vietnam is certainly not a one-stop shop, but a great starting point is the capital, Hanoi.
Super safe, insanely cheap and a dizzying array of experiences will fascinate individual travelers right away as you discover a world unlike anything at home.
A culture seeker’s dream
I remember going through a short-lived motor phase in college. I was more determined to buy a motorcycle than to graduate from college.
But my family talked some sense into me and ultimately decided not to buy a highway death rocket and stick with four wheels.
Hanoi is the exact opposite of what my family taught me. It’s safe to say that if you’re not on two wheels, you’re not actually getting the full Hanoi experience.
Almost everyone has some kind of motorcycle as a cheap, efficient way to get around, and it’s much safer than it seems; it’s all part of the rhythm of the city.
Previously influenced by both Chinese and French colonial rule, Hanoi offers visitors a unique blend of cultures.
More so on the French side in terms of cuisine and architecture, such amazing French Quarter. And even more so on the Chinese side in terms of deep-rooted traditions and customs that still exist today, such as the unmissable silk shops you will encounter.
You’ll find picturesque pagodas, striking temples and action-packed markets in this metropolis of scooters and quaint alleys; the kind of place where you can get lost, because you never know what unexpected delights you will discover.
Besides the Old Quarter (another visit), the ‘North Star’ is the iconic one for many Hanoi tourists Hoan Kiem Lakea great place to recharge, away from the chaos of the city.
Everything is cheap! And I mean EVERYTHING!
Since I’ll scold you if you don’t rent a pair of wheels, let’s get those out of the way.
To get your epic trip off to a great start, there are numerous rental companies that charge $5 to $10 per day.
Next, let’s talk about food. Street food is a way of life here all day long.
It’s not unreasonable to find a cold local beer for as little as 25 cents, while a bowl of hot noodles can cost 90 cents to a dollar.
Harking back to Hanoi’s strong French influence, this also translates to food. If you’ve been to Vietnamese restaurants in the United States, chances are you’ve tried, or at least seen: Banh Mi’s on menus.
These delicious sandwiches are French-inspired baguettes filled with a variety of savory ingredients and cost less than $3.
The list goes on… You’ll definitely want to try anything with noodles and hot broth!
And don’t forget to start your day with a Vietnamese coffee. To really relax, you can sit in numerous cafes along the famous city Hanoi Train Streetwhere a train whizzes by a little too close for comfort, but makes for a great photo-op.
Accommodations certainly won’t break the bank, either. If you’re flying solo, you don’t have to worry about booking luxury digs either.
After all, Hanoi is the second cheapest tourist destination in the world.
Hostels start at just $3, but you can also stay comfortably in four-star hotels, such as the Hanoi Hotel on the river as low as $31 per night.
All in all, you can easily live on under $50 a day if you want to.
The elephant in the room
Not to get political here, but not many Americans are visiting Afghanistan right now. Partly because it is dangerous and partly because it is somewhat difficult due to US involvement.
When countries go to war, it is important to remember that people are not their governments. Vietnam seems to have no problem with Americans visiting, despite the dark stain on both countries’ pasts.
Vietnam as a whole is very safeand you don’t have to feel uncomfortable exploring a country that our elders controversially invaded in the 1960s.
Frankly, it’s a fascinating and important topic, ranging from Woodstock to the invasion itself. And there is perhaps no better place to delve into this complex timeline than Hanoi Vietnam Military History Museum.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
