Why Vietnam? Hanoi’s bustling old quarter; historically rich Hoi An’s lantern ceremony and the dramatic scenery of Ha Long Bay: it is small wonder that Vietnam was named the World’s Leading Heritage Destination in 2019. Vietnam’s growing popularity as a travel destination has been confirmed by Trip Advisor’s ranking of it as one of the 10 best places to visit in the world. If you need persuading, here are 10 reasons to fall head over heels in love with Vietnam:

Motorbike Capital of the World:

A young woman on a motorbike brakes sharply to avoid a collision and her conical leaf hat flies off her head and lands on the sidewalk. That’s Vietnam for you. With an estimated population of 92 million people and 45 million motorbikes, one of the most important things to learn when visiting Vietnam is how to cross the street. You’ll find cars and people in the street, but in this small densely-populated country, the preferred mode of transportation is motorbikes. Veterans will advise you that the trick in getting from one side of the road to the other is to walk steadily and trust the motorcyclist to navigate around you.

Tip: Booking a Vespa scooter tour of Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City as it officially called) after dark is an exhilarating way to immerse yourself into the cosmopolitan nightlife of this bustling city.

2. Street Food:

From Pho to spring rolls to papaya salads to giant seafood potato pancakes, you name it: street stalls abound in every corner in every city, and that’s the best place to eat in Vietnam. Eating like a local is not only cost-effective, it’s a real taste experience.

3. Coffee

As the second biggest exporter of coffee in the world, Vietnam knows a thing or two about coffee. To caffeinate like the locals, try traditional iced coffee with condensed milk. The practice began because in Vietnam’s tropical climate, condensed milk was easier to obtain than fresh milk. It’s said that tourists either hate or love it. Thick, creamy, and yes, incredibly sugary, I’m definitely in the love, love, love it category.

4. Take a sampan down the Mighty Mekong

The famous river winds its way down Southeast Asia, but flows into the South China Sea at Mekong Delta just south of Ho Chin Minh city. The Mekong river is as important for the 55 million people living along its shores as the air they breathe . . . you’ll have a chance to view floating markets, visit a coconut candy factory and eat at a local family-run restaurant. Going down the river in a traditional wooden rowing boat and watching the twinkling fireflies will transport you to Jack Pearson’s (This is Us) stint of service in Vietnam.

5. The lantern festival in Hoi An
Ever wonder what part of the globe those pictures of the flickering flames from candle lanterns placed in bobbing waters belong to? It’s Hoi An, designated as a Unesco World Heritage Town, where every full moon (which takes place on the 14th day of each lunar month) the locals celebrate the moon deity by placing candles on the bottom of colorful paper lanterns and releasing them into the river. The lantern festival has become popular enough that even if your visit doesn’t coincide with the full moon date, you can still participate in the traditional full month festival, just about any night, as we did.

6. Suited and Booted

There’s a sartorial reason to visit Hoi An as well—it’s regarded as the tailoring capital of not only Vietnam but of Southeast Asia as well. Gentlemen can have a suit tailor-made in less than 24 hours for as little as $100, ladies can get made-to-order dresses at a similar-cut price. The catch: Keep an empty suitcase for your outbound flight to lug your new wardrobe home.

7. History

If you’re a history buff or one captivated by the brutal American War in Vietnam, then you’ll want to visit the residential site (Ba Dinh district of Hanoi) where the wreckage of a B-52 bomber shot down shortly before the war ended exists to this day. Other historical landmarks to visit are the lake where the late Arizona Senator John McCain’s plane was shot down and the Hanoi Hilton—a derisive term for a prison built by the French colonists for political prisoners, where hundreds of American POWs were held and tortured.

8. Diversity of Religion

As a communist country, Vietnam is an atheist state. Even so, many Vietnamese believe in a combination of three religions: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, with the majority of Vietnamese still worshipping their ancestors. Looking to experience Vietnam like never before? Then, a visit to one of the many pagodas and Buddhist temples in Vietnam should be on your list.

Fun Fact: Did you know the difference between a temple and a pagoda? In Vietnam, pagodas are a religious place where monks live, and all offerings are strictly vegetarian. Buddhist temples, on the other hand, are a place of worship where no monks are in residence, and the offerings are of all kinds, including cigarettes and alcohol, but no cat or dog meat.

9. Halong Bay

Considered one of the top 10 destinations to visit in one’s lifetime, Halong Bay—designated as a Unesco Heritage Site— is a majestic sight; shimmering emerald waters punctuated by 1600 limestone islands rising out of the South China Sea like immense barrel columns in a futuristic movie. If you get a chance, get a kayak and paddle around the spectacular limestone pinnacles to get an intimate look at their dramatic beauty.

10. The Surprise Grotto

No visit to the Bay is complete without checking out the gigantic Sung Sot Cave or Surprise Grotto. You have to climb a set of 100 stairs, and then go down another 100 stairs to see the stunning limestone formations in the caves, but it is worth it, especially the vast second chamber.

Vietnam should be on every travel buff’s list. Don’t think, just go!*

Our trip, including hotels, tours and domestic flights was arranged by Vietnam Travel www.vietnamtravel.com.