Vietnam
blends ancient heritage, dramatic landscapes and vibrant street life.
Discover the surprising facts, cultural insights and everyday
curiosities that reveal the deeper character of this captivating
Southeast Asian destination.
• Vietnam is one of the world’s largest coffee producers — famous for its strong drip coffee and egg coffee.
• The traditional Vietnamese New Year, Tết, is the most important celebration of the year.
• Motorbikes dominate the streets, with over 60 million in use nationwide.
• Vietnam has a “coconut religion” founded on worshipping coconuts in the Mekong Delta.
• Street food vendors often specialise in just one dish perfected over generations.
• The iconic áo dài dress blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design.
• Vietnam pioneered complex water puppetry, a thousand-year-old performing art.
• Sa Pa’s cable car system is one of the world’s highest and longest.
• The ancient Cham civilisation created impressive Hindu-inspired architecture.
• Removing shoes is customary before entering homes and some temples.
• Respect for elders is central to social interactions.
• Avoid pointing feet at others — it’s considered impolite.
• Public displays of affection are modest, especially in rural areas.
• Bargaining is normal in many markets.
• Ho Chi Minh is a national hero and key figure in Vietnamese independence.
• Pham Nhat Vuong is Vietnam’s first billionaire and a global business leader.
• Trinh Cong Son, the “Bob Dylan of Vietnam,” shaped modern Vietnamese music.
• Nguyễn Du wrote “The Tale of Kiều,” Vietnam’s most famous literary masterpiece.
• Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO site, features over 1,600 limestone islands.
• The Mekong Delta is known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam.
• Phong Nha-Ke Bang is home to some of the world’s largest caves.
• Hội An is one of Asia’s best-preserved heritage towns.
• Fansipan Mountain is the highest peak in Indochina.
• Meals are shared family-style and often balanced around fresh herbs.
• Many Vietnamese start their day with street-side coffee or noodle soup.
• Community identity is strong, with local markets at the centre of daily life.
• Traditional crafts like silk weaving and pottery remain widely practised.
• Vietnamese cuisine focuses on harmony of flavours — sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami.
• Lunar festivals fill the cultural calendar.
• Conical hats (nón lá) are still worn in rural areas.
• Water puppetry performances narrate history, culture and rural life.
• Vietnam’s history includes powerful dynasties like the Lý, Trần and Nguyễn.
• The country was shaped by Chinese, French and Southeast Asian influences.
• The ancient town of Mỹ Sơn reflects Cham spiritual heritage.
• Many historic pagodas date back more than 1,000 years.
• Ha Giang’s mountain passes are among Southeast Asia’s most dramatic roads.
• Son Doong Cave is the largest known cave on Earth.
• Ninh Bình’s karst landscapes rival Ha Long Bay — but inland.
• The Golden Bridge in Da Nang, held up by giant stone hands, became a global icon.
• Vietnam is a top global coffee producer.
• Ha Long Bay has 1,600+ islands.
• Motorbikes rule the streets.
• Son Doong is the world’s largest cave.
• Tết is the biggest celebration.
• Water puppetry is a thousand years old.
• Conical hats remain widely worn.
• Fansipan is Indochina’s highest peak.
• Street food is specialised and perfected.
• Hội An is a UNESCO gem.
• The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s “rice bowl.”
• Ninh Bình mirrors Ha Long Bay inland.