You’ve probably read it in books and seen it in movies that Vietnam is one of the most beautiful and exciting places in Southeast Asia. Well, Vietnam is indeed a great place to visit, a gorgeous country with an ample supply of treasures and surprises to discover.
But, to explore one Vietnam, you need to be well-prepared because while the natural landscapes, sceneries, captivating spots, and architecture are enough to make your visit worthwhile, some of the surprises you will encounter in Vietnam aren’t for the faint-hearted. But, have no fear; here are 15 interesting facts about Vietnam. You should find them helpful on your visit to the Southeast end of Asia. Hannah Smith reports on Travelers Today.
Vietnamese cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world
Vietnamese cuisine often features vegetables, fresh herbs, and seafood combined with traditional cooking techniques that involve little or no frying. You have nothing to worry about in Vietnam, in terms of your meal, because all foods are prepared from natural ingredients.
Vietnamese eat half-hatched eggs
Have you ever tasted half-hatched eggs before? Don’t think so! Be prepared to take a lot of them – if you want to, though – for breakfast in Vietnam. Known as Balut, this developed bird embryo is boiled and eaten from the shell.
Dogs are no pet
At least not in an outright manner! Vietnamese eat what most Westerners keep as pets – dog meat. Although some people keep dogs as pets in Vietnam, most people kill them for consumption. In fact, Vietnam is the second-largest consumer of dog meat in the world, with almost five million dogs being killed yearly. In Vietnam, dog meat is believed to bring good fortune, hence their consumption.
Vietnam is the world’s leading exporter of black pepper and cashew nuts
In 2016, Vietnam exported 348,000 tons of cashew nuts and 180,000 tons of black pepper.
Vietnam and its caves
The Son Doong cave, which is situated in Vietnam, is the second-largest cave in the world. San Doong is so big that a Boeing 747 could fly through its largest cavern.
Do not give handkerchiefs as gifts in Vietnam
Some gifts are simply considered bad luck in Vietnam. It seems strange, right? Well, that’s part of what makes Vietnam fun-filled. Giving handkerchiefs, yellow flowers, black-colored gifts, or chrysanthemum is considered unlucky in Vietnam.
They drink snake wine for health reasons
Vietnamese drink snake wine, also known as Ruou ran, for vitality, health and restorative purposes. Ruou ran is a pickled snake in rice wine.
Motorbikes are your best bet of transportation
For the most part of your journey in Vietnam, you should expect to take a lot of motorbikes. Cars are quite expensive, so most people in Vietnam opt for the cheaper option – motorcycles. In fact, there are supposedly 45 million registered motorcycles in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese language can be confusing
In Vietnam, changing the tone of a certain word could imply another word entirely. Hence, it is very easy to mix things up if you are not so careful with your choice of tones. The Vietnamese language has six different tones.
Relatively low unemployment
It would indeed be a fallacy to suggest that all Vietnamese are employed. But the country’s unemployment rate is listed as one of the lowest of all developing countries in the world. With an unemployment rate of 3.70%, the country is listed as having the 32ng lowest unemployment rate in the world.
High literacy level
Would you have believed if anyone had told you that Vietnam has a literacy level of 97.3% for people within the age brackets of 15-50 years? That is even beyond many Western nations! Despite the poor economy of the country, Vietnam can still boast of having such a high literacy level.
The Vietnamese flag has a significant meaning
Consisting of a red background and a golden star with five points, each point of the golden star represents workers, farmers, intellectuals, soldiers, and youth, while the red background pays tribute to the bloodshed during the Vietnam wars.
Vietnam is the best place for you if you are a coffee lover
Vietnam owns approximately 20% of the coffee market share, being the second-largest producer of coffee in the world.
You always have to bargain in Vietnam
If you love to bargain for a better price for all your products, then Vietnam is the perfect place for you. Bargaining is simply a way of life in Vietnam. In fact, merchants place tags and markup on their products to give buyers the opportunity to bargain for a better price.
Do not forget to visit the Binh Chau hot natural springs
The Binh Chau Hot Natural Springs get so hot that they can boil your eggs. These hot springs get so hot with temperatures reaching 82 0C.