Whether it’s a smile exchanged with a stranger, a quick chat with a tuk-tuk driver or a night out on the town with a group of newly made friends, interactions with local people often shape our view of a whole country. So which places offer tourists the warmest welcome? This list counts down the friendliest countries on Earth, as chosen by our readers on social media sites.
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21 reasons to fall in love Vietnam
Vietnam should be on the top of everyone's travel list. It's that simple. With its dramatic landscapes, fascinating history, epic food and pulsating energy, Vietnam will electrify all of your senses and seize you from all angles. Vietnam is at once crazy and serene, thrilling and relaxing.
There are endless reasons to hop on a flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and travel down or up this amazing country by train, plane, bus or -- the preferred method of transport -- motorbike. If you need persuading, here are 21 reasons to fall head over heels in love with Vietnam:
1.Street food
The best place to eat in Vietnam is on little, plastic stools on the sidewalk. Whether it's noodle soups, like the iconic pho or bun ca (the fish and pork-based soup garnished with dill pictured here), or bun cha -- char-grilled pork served over rice noodles with herbs and dipping sauces -- the street food in Vietnam is nothing short of amazing. At any hour of the day, you'll find Vietnamese people of all ages congregating under market awnings or outside store fronts, chowing down and enjoying each other's company. Eating on the street is by far the most exciting -- and accessible -- way to truly experience daily life in Vietnam, and it's also where you'll find the best food
2. Motorbikes
One of the first and more important things to learn when visiting Vietnam is how to cross the street. It may be intuitive at home, but the traffic in Vietnam's major cities seems so chaotic and incessant, that getting from one side of the road to the other feels almost impossible at first. You'll find cars and people in the street, but the preferred mode of transportation is motorbikes, and the stream of two-wheelers feels like unpredictable, roaring rapids when you're standing on one sidewalk trying to get to the next. According to The Diplomat, there are currently 39 million motorbikes in Vietnam, up from about 4 million in 1996. That's a lot of bikes -- and with at least two people on every bike -- that's also a lot of people. The trick to crossing the street is to walk steadily, at an even pace. If you're moving at a predictable rate, the motorcyclists will move around you. Eye-contact with oncoming bikers doesn't hurt either. The most important thing is to keep moving and not to stop or speed up. Once you've got the hang of crossing the street, you can really appreciate the beauty of the organized chaos.
3.Coffee
As the second biggest producer of coffee in the world, Vietnam knows a thing or two about coffee. Most importantly, coffee comes with sweetened condensed milk (a.k.a. the best stuff on Earth) pretty much without exception. It's also an integral part of the culture, served in cafes and... drumroll... on the street, of course.
4. Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is an area in Southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River dumps into the sea. Visitors can go to Can Tho, the largest city in the area, and get a real taste of rural life in this region affectionately known as the "rice bowl." Traveling up the backwaters, visitors will be wowed by the floating markets and above all else, the friendly people who live in the region.
5.Caves
Mammoth caves that hold entire jungles and lakes are still being discovered in Vietnam. Son Doong Cave, the biggest cave in the world, was only first explored in 2009, and didn't open to tourists until 2012. Trips into Son Doong are still highly controlled, expensive and limited, but there's a vast network of caves that are much more accessible. Paradise Cave, pictured here, in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, is 19 miles across and offers a variety of tours into its interior, including an easy walk on the boardwalk at the beginning of the cave and a trek past the boardwalk for the more adventurous. Headlamps and nerve are required. Visit before the sights become overrun with tourists.
6.Markets
Markets in Vietnam may not be cavernous underground worlds of stunning rock formations and skyscraper high stalagmites, but they can be cavernous worlds unto themselves. Markets like this one in Danang sell everything from fabric for clothing to dried baby shrimp. Needless to say, you can get lost exploring the rows for hours. They're most active in the early morning and late evening, when the temperature cools down a bit and shoppers come out. During the middle of the day, you might find shopkeepers taking a nap in front of their stalls. When we say you could spend all day in these markets, we seriously mean it.
7.Fresh Seafood
One of the most extraordinary things about the markets in Vietnam is that the food doesn't smell at all. You'll walk into the food section and see freshly caught fish, snails, crabs and prawns and brace yourself for a fishy smell. But because the fish you see in the market was caught just a few hours ago, you won't smell a thing. We swear.
8.Fresh meat
Same goes for the meat. When you see a pig's head laid out on a table next to a slew of other cuts, you'd assume something would smell. The meat was butchered no more than four or five hours ago so it doesn't give off any smell. You can tell it's super fresh by the bright red color. If you see browning meat, it may be a day old and will cost less. Most people buy their meat the same day it was butchered, however, making for some extraordinarily fresh dishes and surprisingly pleasant market experiences.
9.Fresh vegetable
You might not recognize all the vegetables you'll find in Vietnam, but you should try them all. From bitter melon to morning glory, the vegetables go into everything from shredded salads -- like green papaya salad -- to stir-fries. Like all the other food you'll find in Vietnamese markets, everything is super fresh.
10.Fresh fruit
Don't be alarmed if you see spiky fruits you can't identify. It could be a durian, dragon fruit or rambutan (pictured here) -- and they're all worth a try. (Be warned: durians smell like feet and are not for the faint of heart.) You'll also find mangos, papayas, mangosteens, jack fruit and a fleshy fruit with a bumpy green skin called custard apples, among more familiar fruits like pineapples, bananas and watermelons.
11. Vistas
Views of the horizon are magnificent, especially at sunset, all over the country. The mountainous vista pictured here -- filled with sharp undulations, like shoulders standing side by side
12. Ha Long Bay
Speaking of vistas, Halong Bay, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin, is every bit as spectacular as people say. It IS worth the roughly four hour drive from Hanoi, and it IS worth fighting the swarms of tourists to see. The bay used to be littered with a lot more trash, but with recent clean-up efforts, it's much better these days. The 1,600 islands jut out of the sea, seemingly one on top of the other, creating a dramatic scape of mountains, sea and sky
13.History
Vietnam's history is tumultuous and complex, the country having been occupied and divided by various countries for decades. Colonial influences are visible everywhere, from the architecture to the food and the coffee. The aftermath of the Vietnam War is apparent too -- in the museums and monuments but also in the faces and stories of survivors and the overwhelmingly young population. Interwoven with our own history, Vietnam's past is not only fascinating, it's also important to learn about.
14. Banh Xeo-Rice Pancakes
Bánh xèo are rice pancakes, and while they may sound ordinary, they are anything but. Grossly underrepresented outside of Vietnam, this practically perfect dish isn't well-known to many non-Vietnamese. Made simply with rice flour and water, the pancakes are very basic, but somehow also sublime. They owe their yellow color to turmeric, not eggs, and they'll typically have some small prawns cooked inside. The real fun comes when you add all the fresh herbs you want, and dip them into a sweet and sour sauce.
15.Sapa
Sapa, a hill station in the Northwest of Vietnam, is one of the country's most stunning areas. Its dramatic rice terraces and surrounding peaks make this mountainous area well worth the short trip from Hanoi. You can take an overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa, which makes it a popular destination on the tourist circuit.
16.City parks
In the early morning hours and around dusk, you'll find groups of Vietnamese men and women doing every exercise under the sun. Large groups of people, young and old, gather around an instructor and follow aerobics routines with music blaring in the background. A few feet away, a group will be practicing ballroom dancing, flanked by some guys playing basketball. Meanwhile, walkers and runners will be circling the periphery of the park. It's a wonderful sight to behold and scene in which to partake if you're up for it.
17. Beaches
Vietnam's beaches may be one of the country's most unsung beauties. While travelers may think of Thailand and Cambodia as the countries to visit for white sand and clear water, Vietnam boasts beaches that rival these countries' beloved tourists spots. Sure, some beach towns in Vietnam, like Nha Trang and Mui Ne, get a lot of attention, but quieter, less-traveled beaches like Doc Let are the real treasures. Con Dao and Phu Quoc are some of the most gorgeous islands in South East Asia, and travelers would be wise to hurry there now, before these isolated, idyllic spots suffer the same fate as the over-traveled beaches in Thailand and Cambodia.
18. Fresh herbs
In Vietnam, it's all about the herbs. Plates piled high with fresh herbs like Thai basil, coriander, mint, and dill, and greens like Morning Glory accompany everything from soups to spring rolls. The crisp, refreshing addition of these herbs and greens cuts salt and fat and brings levity to some of the heavier dishes. Used as garnishes or wraps, herbs also serve as great palate cleansers and most of all, they make food really fun to eat.
19. Hoi An
A UNESCO World Heritage town, Hoi An is one of the most picturesque, lovely places to visit in all of Vietnam. Located in the center of the country, just outside of Danang, Hoi An used to be a flourishing port town from the 15th to the 19th centuries, before the Thu Bon river silted up and basically halted trade in the region. Fortunately in the 1990s, the town was declared a World Heritage site and tourism has since revived the so-called "Venice of Vietnam." Thanks to the international residents -- from the Chinese and Japanese to the French -- during the port years, Hoi An boasts a variety of local specialities that you can't find anywhere else in the country. Dishes like Cao Lau and White Rose Dumplings are reason enough to visit Hoi An, and when you factor in the gorgeous, canal-side setting and preserved colonial French architecture, it really does become a national treasure
20. Noodle Soups
Pho (pronounced fuh, fyi), may be Vietnam's most iconic dish, but it's just the beginning of the country's amazing noodle soups. Noodle soups are typically eaten for breakfast, oftentimes at a street stall or in a market. They run the gamut and include Bun Bo Hue, a beef bone broth-based noodle soup for which people (including Anthony Bourdain) travel to its namesake town Hue. Bun Ca, a pork and fish-based soup with dill and tomatoes, is a noodle soup specialty to Hanoi. You could spend months in Vietnam without eating the same noodle soup twice -- although once you get hooked on one, you'll definitely return for seconds.
21. People
Kind, thoughtful, industrious, optimistic, generous -- the people are the heart of country, and if you visit, you should take every opportunity to get to know them.
Source: Huffington post
There are endless reasons to hop on a flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and travel down or up this amazing country by train, plane, bus or -- the preferred method of transport -- motorbike. If you need persuading, here are 21 reasons to fall head over heels in love with Vietnam:
1.Street food
The best place to eat in Vietnam is on little, plastic stools on the sidewalk. Whether it's noodle soups, like the iconic pho or bun ca (the fish and pork-based soup garnished with dill pictured here), or bun cha -- char-grilled pork served over rice noodles with herbs and dipping sauces -- the street food in Vietnam is nothing short of amazing. At any hour of the day, you'll find Vietnamese people of all ages congregating under market awnings or outside store fronts, chowing down and enjoying each other's company. Eating on the street is by far the most exciting -- and accessible -- way to truly experience daily life in Vietnam, and it's also where you'll find the best food
2. Motorbikes
One of the first and more important things to learn when visiting Vietnam is how to cross the street. It may be intuitive at home, but the traffic in Vietnam's major cities seems so chaotic and incessant, that getting from one side of the road to the other feels almost impossible at first. You'll find cars and people in the street, but the preferred mode of transportation is motorbikes, and the stream of two-wheelers feels like unpredictable, roaring rapids when you're standing on one sidewalk trying to get to the next. According to The Diplomat, there are currently 39 million motorbikes in Vietnam, up from about 4 million in 1996. That's a lot of bikes -- and with at least two people on every bike -- that's also a lot of people. The trick to crossing the street is to walk steadily, at an even pace. If you're moving at a predictable rate, the motorcyclists will move around you. Eye-contact with oncoming bikers doesn't hurt either. The most important thing is to keep moving and not to stop or speed up. Once you've got the hang of crossing the street, you can really appreciate the beauty of the organized chaos.
3.Coffee
As the second biggest producer of coffee in the world, Vietnam knows a thing or two about coffee. Most importantly, coffee comes with sweetened condensed milk (a.k.a. the best stuff on Earth) pretty much without exception. It's also an integral part of the culture, served in cafes and... drumroll... on the street, of course.
4. Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is an area in Southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River dumps into the sea. Visitors can go to Can Tho, the largest city in the area, and get a real taste of rural life in this region affectionately known as the "rice bowl." Traveling up the backwaters, visitors will be wowed by the floating markets and above all else, the friendly people who live in the region.
5.Caves
Mammoth caves that hold entire jungles and lakes are still being discovered in Vietnam. Son Doong Cave, the biggest cave in the world, was only first explored in 2009, and didn't open to tourists until 2012. Trips into Son Doong are still highly controlled, expensive and limited, but there's a vast network of caves that are much more accessible. Paradise Cave, pictured here, in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, is 19 miles across and offers a variety of tours into its interior, including an easy walk on the boardwalk at the beginning of the cave and a trek past the boardwalk for the more adventurous. Headlamps and nerve are required. Visit before the sights become overrun with tourists.
6.Markets
Markets in Vietnam may not be cavernous underground worlds of stunning rock formations and skyscraper high stalagmites, but they can be cavernous worlds unto themselves. Markets like this one in Danang sell everything from fabric for clothing to dried baby shrimp. Needless to say, you can get lost exploring the rows for hours. They're most active in the early morning and late evening, when the temperature cools down a bit and shoppers come out. During the middle of the day, you might find shopkeepers taking a nap in front of their stalls. When we say you could spend all day in these markets, we seriously mean it.
7.Fresh Seafood
One of the most extraordinary things about the markets in Vietnam is that the food doesn't smell at all. You'll walk into the food section and see freshly caught fish, snails, crabs and prawns and brace yourself for a fishy smell. But because the fish you see in the market was caught just a few hours ago, you won't smell a thing. We swear.
8.Fresh meat
Same goes for the meat. When you see a pig's head laid out on a table next to a slew of other cuts, you'd assume something would smell. The meat was butchered no more than four or five hours ago so it doesn't give off any smell. You can tell it's super fresh by the bright red color. If you see browning meat, it may be a day old and will cost less. Most people buy their meat the same day it was butchered, however, making for some extraordinarily fresh dishes and surprisingly pleasant market experiences.
9.Fresh vegetable
You might not recognize all the vegetables you'll find in Vietnam, but you should try them all. From bitter melon to morning glory, the vegetables go into everything from shredded salads -- like green papaya salad -- to stir-fries. Like all the other food you'll find in Vietnamese markets, everything is super fresh.
10.Fresh fruit
Don't be alarmed if you see spiky fruits you can't identify. It could be a durian, dragon fruit or rambutan (pictured here) -- and they're all worth a try. (Be warned: durians smell like feet and are not for the faint of heart.) You'll also find mangos, papayas, mangosteens, jack fruit and a fleshy fruit with a bumpy green skin called custard apples, among more familiar fruits like pineapples, bananas and watermelons.
11. Vistas
Views of the horizon are magnificent, especially at sunset, all over the country. The mountainous vista pictured here -- filled with sharp undulations, like shoulders standing side by side
12. Ha Long Bay
Speaking of vistas, Halong Bay, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin, is every bit as spectacular as people say. It IS worth the roughly four hour drive from Hanoi, and it IS worth fighting the swarms of tourists to see. The bay used to be littered with a lot more trash, but with recent clean-up efforts, it's much better these days. The 1,600 islands jut out of the sea, seemingly one on top of the other, creating a dramatic scape of mountains, sea and sky
13.History
Vietnam's history is tumultuous and complex, the country having been occupied and divided by various countries for decades. Colonial influences are visible everywhere, from the architecture to the food and the coffee. The aftermath of the Vietnam War is apparent too -- in the museums and monuments but also in the faces and stories of survivors and the overwhelmingly young population. Interwoven with our own history, Vietnam's past is not only fascinating, it's also important to learn about.
14. Banh Xeo-Rice Pancakes
Bánh xèo are rice pancakes, and while they may sound ordinary, they are anything but. Grossly underrepresented outside of Vietnam, this practically perfect dish isn't well-known to many non-Vietnamese. Made simply with rice flour and water, the pancakes are very basic, but somehow also sublime. They owe their yellow color to turmeric, not eggs, and they'll typically have some small prawns cooked inside. The real fun comes when you add all the fresh herbs you want, and dip them into a sweet and sour sauce.
15.Sapa
Sapa, a hill station in the Northwest of Vietnam, is one of the country's most stunning areas. Its dramatic rice terraces and surrounding peaks make this mountainous area well worth the short trip from Hanoi. You can take an overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa, which makes it a popular destination on the tourist circuit.
16.City parks
In the early morning hours and around dusk, you'll find groups of Vietnamese men and women doing every exercise under the sun. Large groups of people, young and old, gather around an instructor and follow aerobics routines with music blaring in the background. A few feet away, a group will be practicing ballroom dancing, flanked by some guys playing basketball. Meanwhile, walkers and runners will be circling the periphery of the park. It's a wonderful sight to behold and scene in which to partake if you're up for it.
17. Beaches
Vietnam's beaches may be one of the country's most unsung beauties. While travelers may think of Thailand and Cambodia as the countries to visit for white sand and clear water, Vietnam boasts beaches that rival these countries' beloved tourists spots. Sure, some beach towns in Vietnam, like Nha Trang and Mui Ne, get a lot of attention, but quieter, less-traveled beaches like Doc Let are the real treasures. Con Dao and Phu Quoc are some of the most gorgeous islands in South East Asia, and travelers would be wise to hurry there now, before these isolated, idyllic spots suffer the same fate as the over-traveled beaches in Thailand and Cambodia.
18. Fresh herbs
In Vietnam, it's all about the herbs. Plates piled high with fresh herbs like Thai basil, coriander, mint, and dill, and greens like Morning Glory accompany everything from soups to spring rolls. The crisp, refreshing addition of these herbs and greens cuts salt and fat and brings levity to some of the heavier dishes. Used as garnishes or wraps, herbs also serve as great palate cleansers and most of all, they make food really fun to eat.
19. Hoi An
A UNESCO World Heritage town, Hoi An is one of the most picturesque, lovely places to visit in all of Vietnam. Located in the center of the country, just outside of Danang, Hoi An used to be a flourishing port town from the 15th to the 19th centuries, before the Thu Bon river silted up and basically halted trade in the region. Fortunately in the 1990s, the town was declared a World Heritage site and tourism has since revived the so-called "Venice of Vietnam." Thanks to the international residents -- from the Chinese and Japanese to the French -- during the port years, Hoi An boasts a variety of local specialities that you can't find anywhere else in the country. Dishes like Cao Lau and White Rose Dumplings are reason enough to visit Hoi An, and when you factor in the gorgeous, canal-side setting and preserved colonial French architecture, it really does become a national treasure
20. Noodle Soups
Pho (pronounced fuh, fyi), may be Vietnam's most iconic dish, but it's just the beginning of the country's amazing noodle soups. Noodle soups are typically eaten for breakfast, oftentimes at a street stall or in a market. They run the gamut and include Bun Bo Hue, a beef bone broth-based noodle soup for which people (including Anthony Bourdain) travel to its namesake town Hue. Bun Ca, a pork and fish-based soup with dill and tomatoes, is a noodle soup specialty to Hanoi. You could spend months in Vietnam without eating the same noodle soup twice -- although once you get hooked on one, you'll definitely return for seconds.
21. People
Kind, thoughtful, industrious, optimistic, generous -- the people are the heart of country, and if you visit, you should take every opportunity to get to know them.
Source: Huffington post
COFFEE IN HANOI
Coffee culture is huge here in Vietnam. In the mornings, old men gather to chat over coffee and cigarettes. In the afternoons, office workers squat on tiny sidewalk stools for their afternoon pick-me-up. In the evenings, many cafes function as bars, blasting loud music or offering karaoke. Unlike back home, this is neither a quick energy boosting pit stop nor a place to stare into a laptop. People (mostly men) come here to chat and linger for hours.
How it’s brewed
Traditional Vietnamese coffee is brewed in something called a phin, a small drip filter that sits on top of a coffee mug. Finely ground, dark roasted coffee beans from the central highlands of Vietnam are tamped down and hot water is poured into the chamber, slowing dripping a thick, strong brew into the mug (this can take up to 10 minutes!). Like elsewhere in Southeast Asia, it’s often mixed with sweetened condensed milk out of the can. Since it’s hot and sticky day and night many places in the country, it’s often brewed over ice.
How to Order
My Vietnamese is limited to Hello, Thank You, and coffee orders:
Ca Phe Nong: Hot black coffee (usually with sugar)
Ca Phe Sua Nong: Hot coffee with sweetened condensed milk
Ca Phe Da: Iced black coffee (my go-to)
Ca Phe Sua Da: Iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk (Skyler’s go-to)
What to Expect
Vietnamese coffee is served everywhere from hip, western-style cafes with comfy couches and free wi-fi to sidewalk stands where you sit on tiny stools made for 5 year olds on the side of the road (the latter being our favorite). Even bicycling out in the countryside, a house on every block has a kid selling refreshing iced coffees and tra da (iced unsweetened green tea)
Speaking of tra da, most places serve complimentary glasses to wash down all that strong coffee. We love it – we’re addicted and plan to keep a pitcher in our fridge when we get home. We almost always got it at the traditional places full of locals, but sometimes had to ask for it. Tra da is also normally available at restaurants and street stalls for just a few thousand dong, far less expensive than beer or water!
A basic coffee cost us anywhere from 6,000 VND ($.29 USD) out in the country to 30,000 VND ($1.43 USD) in fancy shops. Typically, we were paying 10-15,000 VND per cup (a few thousand extra with milk).
Quality varies widely. The best cups are chocolatey, velvety smooth, and buttery (in fact, the beans are traditionally roasted in clarified butter!). But Vietnam is also the number one exporter of Robusta beans, the cheap crap that makes up your morning cup of Folgers or instant coffee. A slightly pricey but reliably good chain we found in both Saigon and Hanoi is Trung Nguyen. Many places claim to serve their beans (but probably don’t), so seek out their cafes.
Fun Variations to Seek Out
We also found a few unique preparations we haven’t seen elsewhere…
Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee)Ca Phe Trung (literally egg coffee) is made by whipping a raw egg with sweetened fresh milk, then dripping coffee over the frothy mixture, which sinks to the bottom underneath the foam. This tastes like eggnog (why haven’t I thought of adding coffee to egg nog before?). On a cold winter’s night, a shot of bourbon wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. If you’re feeling extra naughty, go for the Ca Phe Trung Cacao, which is the same thing, mixed with chocolate!
Ca Phe Trung seems to be unique to Hanoi. We found it at Cafe Pho Co (11 Hang Gai, 35000 VND per cup), where you go through the back of a silk shop, through an alleyway, and up a spiral staircase onto a rooftop with a stunning view of Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of Hanoi’s old quarter. For a cheaper but equally delicious version, we found it at Sen Cafe (58 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, 25000 VND per cup), where we squatted on plastic sidewalk stools watching life go by while the friendly motorbike valet practiced his English on us. Sen Cafe also has killer homemade frozen yogurt. Try the avocado flavor!
Ca Phe Sua Chua (Yogurt Coffee)
Pictured above is Ca Phe Sua Chua Cacao Da (Iced Chocolate Yogurt coffee) also at Cafe Pho Co. Vietnamese coffee is dripped over yogurt and mixed with Milo powder (similar to Nesquik) for a sweet and sour concoction that tastes like melted coffee flavored frozen yogurt.
Weasel Coffee
Weasel Coffee is for sale at markets from north to south. Most of it is fake. If you’ve never heard of Weasel Coffee, it’s brewed from beans harvested from animal droppings. And it’s the most expensive coffee in the world. To quote Dave Barry, I’m not making this up. I tried a cup at Huong Mai in Hanoi. It was good, the best cup of coffee I had in Vietnam. But at $75 US/kilo for the real stuff (the beans above are probably fake), I’m not toting any home.
When the coffee is so cheap and so good, it’s easy to knock back a few too many!
Source: 180 degree west
How it’s brewed
Traditional Vietnamese coffee is brewed in something called a phin, a small drip filter that sits on top of a coffee mug. Finely ground, dark roasted coffee beans from the central highlands of Vietnam are tamped down and hot water is poured into the chamber, slowing dripping a thick, strong brew into the mug (this can take up to 10 minutes!). Like elsewhere in Southeast Asia, it’s often mixed with sweetened condensed milk out of the can. Since it’s hot and sticky day and night many places in the country, it’s often brewed over ice.
How to Order
My Vietnamese is limited to Hello, Thank You, and coffee orders:
Ca Phe Nong: Hot black coffee (usually with sugar)
Ca Phe Sua Nong: Hot coffee with sweetened condensed milk
Ca Phe Da: Iced black coffee (my go-to)
Ca Phe Sua Da: Iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk (Skyler’s go-to)
What to Expect
Vietnamese coffee is served everywhere from hip, western-style cafes with comfy couches and free wi-fi to sidewalk stands where you sit on tiny stools made for 5 year olds on the side of the road (the latter being our favorite). Even bicycling out in the countryside, a house on every block has a kid selling refreshing iced coffees and tra da (iced unsweetened green tea)
Speaking of tra da, most places serve complimentary glasses to wash down all that strong coffee. We love it – we’re addicted and plan to keep a pitcher in our fridge when we get home. We almost always got it at the traditional places full of locals, but sometimes had to ask for it. Tra da is also normally available at restaurants and street stalls for just a few thousand dong, far less expensive than beer or water!
A basic coffee cost us anywhere from 6,000 VND ($.29 USD) out in the country to 30,000 VND ($1.43 USD) in fancy shops. Typically, we were paying 10-15,000 VND per cup (a few thousand extra with milk).
Quality varies widely. The best cups are chocolatey, velvety smooth, and buttery (in fact, the beans are traditionally roasted in clarified butter!). But Vietnam is also the number one exporter of Robusta beans, the cheap crap that makes up your morning cup of Folgers or instant coffee. A slightly pricey but reliably good chain we found in both Saigon and Hanoi is Trung Nguyen. Many places claim to serve their beans (but probably don’t), so seek out their cafes.
Fun Variations to Seek Out
We also found a few unique preparations we haven’t seen elsewhere…
Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee)Ca Phe Trung (literally egg coffee) is made by whipping a raw egg with sweetened fresh milk, then dripping coffee over the frothy mixture, which sinks to the bottom underneath the foam. This tastes like eggnog (why haven’t I thought of adding coffee to egg nog before?). On a cold winter’s night, a shot of bourbon wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. If you’re feeling extra naughty, go for the Ca Phe Trung Cacao, which is the same thing, mixed with chocolate!
Ca Phe Trung seems to be unique to Hanoi. We found it at Cafe Pho Co (11 Hang Gai, 35000 VND per cup), where you go through the back of a silk shop, through an alleyway, and up a spiral staircase onto a rooftop with a stunning view of Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of Hanoi’s old quarter. For a cheaper but equally delicious version, we found it at Sen Cafe (58 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, 25000 VND per cup), where we squatted on plastic sidewalk stools watching life go by while the friendly motorbike valet practiced his English on us. Sen Cafe also has killer homemade frozen yogurt. Try the avocado flavor!
Ca Phe Sua Chua (Yogurt Coffee)
Pictured above is Ca Phe Sua Chua Cacao Da (Iced Chocolate Yogurt coffee) also at Cafe Pho Co. Vietnamese coffee is dripped over yogurt and mixed with Milo powder (similar to Nesquik) for a sweet and sour concoction that tastes like melted coffee flavored frozen yogurt.Weasel Coffee
Weasel Coffee is for sale at markets from north to south. Most of it is fake. If you’ve never heard of Weasel Coffee, it’s brewed from beans harvested from animal droppings. And it’s the most expensive coffee in the world. To quote Dave Barry, I’m not making this up. I tried a cup at Huong Mai in Hanoi. It was good, the best cup of coffee I had in Vietnam. But at $75 US/kilo for the real stuff (the beans above are probably fake), I’m not toting any home.
When the coffee is so cheap and so good, it’s easy to knock back a few too many!
Source: 180 degree west
Travelling with children
Traveling With Your Children BY CC CHAPMAN
Getting kids away from their screens and outside is a constant battle for parents, but an important one that we must all continue to fight. Taking kids outside of their neighborhood and exposing them to the greater world around them might be even more important
I may not have boarded an airplane until I was in college, but my parents had already placed a deep seeded love of seeing new places in my soul.
Family vacations for us meant loading up the car and driving to a National Park or campsite near some sort of attraction. We’d camp out, enjoy food cooked over a camp stove and spend hours in front of a campfire listening to the world around us.
While we were not on grand expeditions to the far corners of the globe, it taught me how people everywhere are the same even with our beautiful differences. It taught me about the simple things in life and how to find inspiration wherever I was.
Now that I have children of my own, I want to make sure I pass these values on and I know how important traveling will be to that. Here are my reasons why I believe traveling with your children is important.
It Teaches Them the World is More Same Than Different
If kids only see the world around them through an electronic screen they’re getting a very jaded view of the world.
Exposing them to different cultures, religions and locations makes them learn that at the end of the day people are people, kids are kids. Everyone is trying to raise their kids as best they can, kids love to goof off with other kids and grandparents always have a smile ready. None of this is dependent on where in the world they were born.
The more places they visit, the more they’ll realize humans as a species have a lot in common.
Food Becomes an Adventure
Every home cook only has so many recipes that they can cycle through during a given week. Balancing that with lacrosse practice, dance rehearsal and homework makes trying new food harder than it should be.
When we travel, our family has a rule that we can’t go to any restaurant that we have at home. The kids are encouraged to try new things and we’ve always had the rule that they have to at least try anything we give them.
They’ll quickly realize that what might look strange on their plate actually tastes amazing. The more new foods they try, the more excited they’ll become about going out to different restaurants at home instead of the same old pizza joint or fast food joint.
Lead by example and order things you might not be sure of either. You can rarely go wrong when you ask a server, “What is the most popular item people come here for?”
They Learn Patience and Kindness
Traveling is never as glamorous as people think. Missed connections, hotel rooms not being ready and lost cab drivers stress us all out.
Exposing your kids to the variety of things that go wrong on a trip is good for them. They’ll learn that in life you have to sometimes roll with the punches and make the most of a bad situation.
Sure, going through them might not be fun, but years later they’ll look back and laugh about those two days stuck in a hotel room with no clothes since the luggage went on the flight even though the family didn’t. True story!
Plus, depending on where you travel, seeing how other people live will teach them to value what they have. After all, if you can afford to fly around the world to any destination, you’re better off than many people you might encounter.
Having a World View Will Help Their Careers
No matter what your children grow up to be, they’ll be working in a global marketplace, working with people from different countries and backgrounds than their own.
Encourage them to talk to people when traveling. Expose them to local customs of every sort. Expand their minds to embrace differences rather than shunning them. Don’t shy away from their questions and have them ask them to the people they meet.
That way when they arrive at college or enter the office for the first time, they won’t have to add culture shock to the list of other things that they’ll be dealing with during this time.
Traveling is Quality Family Time
Sure, they’ll be on their tablet or phone the whole plane ride or car ride to your destination, but it’s hard to beat the quality of the time you spend together when traveling.
Walking around a new city or town together, sitting down around a new table and hearing the sounds of new accents is all better when done surrounded by those you love. We encourage our kids to keep a travel journal because what they notice and remember is always different than what we might see. Likewise, make sure they have a camera that they take lots of photos with. You’ll be amazed what catches their eye.
At the end of every day, take the time to share your favorite moments with each other. When you return home make a photo book from everyone’s snapshots to never forget the great time you had.
Everyday the world is getting closer together and seeing it more possible. Instead of wasting your summer away this year, why not jump in a car, boat or plane and visit someplace new. Your family and you will love it!
Source: Trip It
There are lots of tips for travelling you may take note
How to prepare trip to Vietnam
10 things you should not do on airplane
Best time to travel to Vietnam
I may not have boarded an airplane until I was in college, but my parents had already placed a deep seeded love of seeing new places in my soul.
Family vacations for us meant loading up the car and driving to a National Park or campsite near some sort of attraction. We’d camp out, enjoy food cooked over a camp stove and spend hours in front of a campfire listening to the world around us.
While we were not on grand expeditions to the far corners of the globe, it taught me how people everywhere are the same even with our beautiful differences. It taught me about the simple things in life and how to find inspiration wherever I was.
Now that I have children of my own, I want to make sure I pass these values on and I know how important traveling will be to that. Here are my reasons why I believe traveling with your children is important.
It Teaches Them the World is More Same Than Different
If kids only see the world around them through an electronic screen they’re getting a very jaded view of the world.
Exposing them to different cultures, religions and locations makes them learn that at the end of the day people are people, kids are kids. Everyone is trying to raise their kids as best they can, kids love to goof off with other kids and grandparents always have a smile ready. None of this is dependent on where in the world they were born.
The more places they visit, the more they’ll realize humans as a species have a lot in common.
Food Becomes an Adventure
Every home cook only has so many recipes that they can cycle through during a given week. Balancing that with lacrosse practice, dance rehearsal and homework makes trying new food harder than it should be.
When we travel, our family has a rule that we can’t go to any restaurant that we have at home. The kids are encouraged to try new things and we’ve always had the rule that they have to at least try anything we give them.
They’ll quickly realize that what might look strange on their plate actually tastes amazing. The more new foods they try, the more excited they’ll become about going out to different restaurants at home instead of the same old pizza joint or fast food joint.
Lead by example and order things you might not be sure of either. You can rarely go wrong when you ask a server, “What is the most popular item people come here for?”
They Learn Patience and Kindness
Traveling is never as glamorous as people think. Missed connections, hotel rooms not being ready and lost cab drivers stress us all out.
Exposing your kids to the variety of things that go wrong on a trip is good for them. They’ll learn that in life you have to sometimes roll with the punches and make the most of a bad situation.
Sure, going through them might not be fun, but years later they’ll look back and laugh about those two days stuck in a hotel room with no clothes since the luggage went on the flight even though the family didn’t. True story!
Plus, depending on where you travel, seeing how other people live will teach them to value what they have. After all, if you can afford to fly around the world to any destination, you’re better off than many people you might encounter.
Having a World View Will Help Their Careers
No matter what your children grow up to be, they’ll be working in a global marketplace, working with people from different countries and backgrounds than their own.
Encourage them to talk to people when traveling. Expose them to local customs of every sort. Expand their minds to embrace differences rather than shunning them. Don’t shy away from their questions and have them ask them to the people they meet.
That way when they arrive at college or enter the office for the first time, they won’t have to add culture shock to the list of other things that they’ll be dealing with during this time.
Traveling is Quality Family Time
Sure, they’ll be on their tablet or phone the whole plane ride or car ride to your destination, but it’s hard to beat the quality of the time you spend together when traveling.
Walking around a new city or town together, sitting down around a new table and hearing the sounds of new accents is all better when done surrounded by those you love. We encourage our kids to keep a travel journal because what they notice and remember is always different than what we might see. Likewise, make sure they have a camera that they take lots of photos with. You’ll be amazed what catches their eye.
At the end of every day, take the time to share your favorite moments with each other. When you return home make a photo book from everyone’s snapshots to never forget the great time you had.
Everyday the world is getting closer together and seeing it more possible. Instead of wasting your summer away this year, why not jump in a car, boat or plane and visit someplace new. Your family and you will love it!
Source: Trip It
There are lots of tips for travelling you may take note
How to prepare trip to Vietnam
10 things you should not do on airplane
Best time to travel to Vietnam
7 days in Laos - Let's make your memorable trip
Laos’s beautiful personalities, incredible sights and unique, laid-back nature can all be enjoyed in just a week.
Floating down serene rivers and coasting along country roads gawping at stunning countryside? Check. Poking your way around ancient temples filled with enigmatic, saffron-cloaked monks? Check. Sipping on a famous Beerlao brew as the setting sun melts the Mekong into a simmering river of gold, and monks chant their oms in the distance? Yes. Laos’s beautiful personalities, incredible sights and unique, laid-back nature can all be enjoyed in just a week.
Day one: Vientiane
In the nation's friendly capital, visit Laos’ most important national monument, the Golden Stupa (Pha That Luang), and take in the surrounding temples. As the temperature rises, head closer into town to scope out the inner-city’s beautiful temples such as Wat Si Saket, café-hopping in between. At sunset, join in with the rest of Vientiane’s city folk and take a stroll along the Mekong. If you have energy to spare, test out Vientiane’s bar scene at Lunar 36.
Day two:Vientiane
If you are feeling intrepid, hire a motorcycle from the town centre and explore the surrounding countryside en route to artist Luang Pu’s Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan). Go past landmarks such as the Beerlao brewery and the Laos-Thai Friendship bridge. You will also pass wats (temples) dotted along the road sides and busy produce markets, while riding alongside young monks riding bikes under the shade of umbrellas. Cap off the day with a visit to Vientiane’s night market.
Day three: VangVieng
Vang Vieng is most easily reached by bus, which you can easily book from a travel agent in Vientiane. Allow for half a day’s travel, and once you settle into a guesthouse, grab a place to sit by the Nam Song river and watch the sun fall atmospherically over the limestone karst cliffs that dominate the skyline. Eat at Central Backpackers (do not miss Laos’ best cocktails here), Organic Mulberry Farm Café or Nazim.
Day four: Vang Vieng
Experience Laos' most famous adventure: tubing. Head out late morning to avoid the young crowds and have the river to yourself. Spend the day being swept along the Nam Song by tiny currents of water while taking in the jaw-dropping scenery. Stop by at a few bars, but not too many -- in times of high water, rapids along the Nam Song can be strong. Once you pass the very last bar, grab a tuk-tuk back to the town or continue via tube.
Alternative to Vang Vieng: Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars
If the tubing/partying scene is not your style, skip Vang Vieng and head to the mysterious centre of Phonsavan to wonder at the ancient burial ground, the Plain of Jars. On arriving in Phonsavan, head to the UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) Visitor Information Centre (in the centre of Phonsavan, opposite Craters restaurant) and learn about Laos' plight with unexploded bombs that were dropped during the Vietnam War. Organise a tour for the next day that takes in all three main Plain of Jars sights (the final two have more picturesque settings, the first is the largest). Visit the Bomb Village where houses have been constructed out of bomb debris, and meet the woman who runs a whisky distillery out of an old shed. During the evenings, watch a free film screening about Laos’ UXOs. Note that the area still has unexploded bombs, so take care when walking to stay within designated areas - only the three main Plain of Jars sites are considered reasonably free of UXOs. Eat at Nisha Restaurant or Craters Bar and Restaurant.
Day five: Luang Prabang
Grab an early bus to the Unesco heritage-listed city of Luang Prabang. This may be a day of travel, but unparalleled scenery will keep you occupied as you cut through mountainous peaks and crevices that reveal picturesque little hilltop villages where children play along the roadside and farm animals grunt and squawk as you go by. On your arrival in Luang Prabang, head straight to the riverside and marvel as the sun sets over the gushing Mekong. In the evening, enjoy a lazy stroll through the night-market's exquisite handicrafts where Laos specialties, such as handmade quilt covers and silk can be picked up for a steal. For dinner, head to the night-market for scrumptious barbeque fish and other colourful local dishes.
Day six:Tat Kuang Si
Head to Laos’ most spectacular waterfall Tat Kuang Si, where tempting pools of incandescent blue are set amongst tall, shady trees at the base of this massive cascade of water. On your way in, do not miss the bear sanctuary that has rescued sparring Asiatic black bears from the illegal pet trade. Amble back through spectacular countryside that breaks into views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong. Eat at Lao Lao Garden.
Day seven: Luang Prabang
Get up at dawn for the monk’s procession (Tak Bat), then check- out the creepy crawlies on parade at the local produce market. Take your time to explore the many exquisite and famed temples;when you are templed-out, grab a ferry and cross the Mekong to visit the village of Ban Xieng Maen. Take your time doing this, but remember to catch the sun setting over the city from the hilltop Phu Si, back in Luang Prabang. Take another peek at the night market for souvenirs, then finish your trip with a dance at popular nightspot, Utopia.
Source: : Lonely Planet
Make a plan for Laos trip you can contact us
Other itineraries may you take care
Vang Vieng Adventure
Secret of Laos
8 days 7 nights tour
Floating down serene rivers and coasting along country roads gawping at stunning countryside? Check. Poking your way around ancient temples filled with enigmatic, saffron-cloaked monks? Check. Sipping on a famous Beerlao brew as the setting sun melts the Mekong into a simmering river of gold, and monks chant their oms in the distance? Yes. Laos’s beautiful personalities, incredible sights and unique, laid-back nature can all be enjoyed in just a week.
Day one: Vientiane
In the nation's friendly capital, visit Laos’ most important national monument, the Golden Stupa (Pha That Luang), and take in the surrounding temples. As the temperature rises, head closer into town to scope out the inner-city’s beautiful temples such as Wat Si Saket, café-hopping in between. At sunset, join in with the rest of Vientiane’s city folk and take a stroll along the Mekong. If you have energy to spare, test out Vientiane’s bar scene at Lunar 36.
Day two:Vientiane
If you are feeling intrepid, hire a motorcycle from the town centre and explore the surrounding countryside en route to artist Luang Pu’s Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan). Go past landmarks such as the Beerlao brewery and the Laos-Thai Friendship bridge. You will also pass wats (temples) dotted along the road sides and busy produce markets, while riding alongside young monks riding bikes under the shade of umbrellas. Cap off the day with a visit to Vientiane’s night market.
Day three: VangVieng
Vang Vieng is most easily reached by bus, which you can easily book from a travel agent in Vientiane. Allow for half a day’s travel, and once you settle into a guesthouse, grab a place to sit by the Nam Song river and watch the sun fall atmospherically over the limestone karst cliffs that dominate the skyline. Eat at Central Backpackers (do not miss Laos’ best cocktails here), Organic Mulberry Farm Café or Nazim.
Day four: Vang Vieng
Experience Laos' most famous adventure: tubing. Head out late morning to avoid the young crowds and have the river to yourself. Spend the day being swept along the Nam Song by tiny currents of water while taking in the jaw-dropping scenery. Stop by at a few bars, but not too many -- in times of high water, rapids along the Nam Song can be strong. Once you pass the very last bar, grab a tuk-tuk back to the town or continue via tube.
Alternative to Vang Vieng: Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars
If the tubing/partying scene is not your style, skip Vang Vieng and head to the mysterious centre of Phonsavan to wonder at the ancient burial ground, the Plain of Jars. On arriving in Phonsavan, head to the UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) Visitor Information Centre (in the centre of Phonsavan, opposite Craters restaurant) and learn about Laos' plight with unexploded bombs that were dropped during the Vietnam War. Organise a tour for the next day that takes in all three main Plain of Jars sights (the final two have more picturesque settings, the first is the largest). Visit the Bomb Village where houses have been constructed out of bomb debris, and meet the woman who runs a whisky distillery out of an old shed. During the evenings, watch a free film screening about Laos’ UXOs. Note that the area still has unexploded bombs, so take care when walking to stay within designated areas - only the three main Plain of Jars sites are considered reasonably free of UXOs. Eat at Nisha Restaurant or Craters Bar and Restaurant.
Day five: Luang Prabang
Grab an early bus to the Unesco heritage-listed city of Luang Prabang. This may be a day of travel, but unparalleled scenery will keep you occupied as you cut through mountainous peaks and crevices that reveal picturesque little hilltop villages where children play along the roadside and farm animals grunt and squawk as you go by. On your arrival in Luang Prabang, head straight to the riverside and marvel as the sun sets over the gushing Mekong. In the evening, enjoy a lazy stroll through the night-market's exquisite handicrafts where Laos specialties, such as handmade quilt covers and silk can be picked up for a steal. For dinner, head to the night-market for scrumptious barbeque fish and other colourful local dishes.
Day six:Tat Kuang Si
Head to Laos’ most spectacular waterfall Tat Kuang Si, where tempting pools of incandescent blue are set amongst tall, shady trees at the base of this massive cascade of water. On your way in, do not miss the bear sanctuary that has rescued sparring Asiatic black bears from the illegal pet trade. Amble back through spectacular countryside that breaks into views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong. Eat at Lao Lao Garden.
Day seven: Luang Prabang
Get up at dawn for the monk’s procession (Tak Bat), then check- out the creepy crawlies on parade at the local produce market. Take your time to explore the many exquisite and famed temples;when you are templed-out, grab a ferry and cross the Mekong to visit the village of Ban Xieng Maen. Take your time doing this, but remember to catch the sun setting over the city from the hilltop Phu Si, back in Luang Prabang. Take another peek at the night market for souvenirs, then finish your trip with a dance at popular nightspot, Utopia.
Source: : Lonely Planet
Make a plan for Laos trip you can contact us
Other itineraries may you take care
Vang Vieng Adventure
Secret of Laos
8 days 7 nights tour
Instaguide to Vietnam street food
Foreword
Before we begin our InstaGuide to Vietnam street food, let's start with a cruise down Hoi An's river.
Step 1: Forget the Guidebooks
Do not be fooled by English menus in pretty restaurants, the best food in Vietnam is found on the streets. Follow your instincts: your eyes, your nose, your palate. Look for the little red plastic stools in Hanoi's old quarter, they almost always lead to fantastic discoveries and perhaps the best street food in the world.
Step 2: Use Your Nose
Find someone grilling or steaming away and decide what smells best. This thit nuong at the gates of Hoi An's old town hits the spot. Do-it-yourself juicy grilled pork skewers wrapped in rice paper with a mountain of herbs.
Step 3: Eat
In Hoi An, leave the main streets of the old town and head to the Tan An market. We found a lady sizzling up one of our favorite finds, bánh cãn. Popular in the southern region, these particular rice flour fritters have quail eggs dropped into the batter and are topped with a young papaya salad, herbs, pork sausage, and the mandatory nuoc cham sauce. Add a touch of chili and devour.
Step 4: Eat More
One of Vietnam's most famous culinary exports is pho, but have you tried a mi quang? Much loved in the central southern region, these noodles are chewier with only a ladle of strong broth added. It can be rich with pork, chicken, and shrimp, but the best part is the crispy cracker that comes with all the toppings. The best one we found was on the outskirts of Hoi An, so grab a bicycle and explore.
Step 5: Sleep It Off
After all the food hunting and cycling, there is only one thing left to do before repeating the whole process for dinner. Follow this hardworking vendor (in Hanoi's Dong Xuan market) and take an afternoon siesta.
Step 6: Develop a Bánh Addiction
These little steamer rice cakes, bánh beo, are named after their water fern shape. They hail from Hue, but the best ones were made by Hao, a lovely lady in Hoàng Van Thu road in Hoi An's old town. Go for the delicate cakes topped with dried shrimps scallions and mung bean paste. She's there daily, from 2-5 p.m.
Step 7: Fathom It
Recognize the Fathom logo under these beautiful steamed dumplings? Bánh bao vac, also known as white rose, is a specialty of Hoi An. Supposedly named by the French for their flower petal resemblance, they are translucent, chewy, and stuffed with shrimp
Before we begin our InstaGuide to Vietnam street food, let's start with a cruise down Hoi An's river.
Step 1: Forget the Guidebooks
Do not be fooled by English menus in pretty restaurants, the best food in Vietnam is found on the streets. Follow your instincts: your eyes, your nose, your palate. Look for the little red plastic stools in Hanoi's old quarter, they almost always lead to fantastic discoveries and perhaps the best street food in the world.
Step 2: Use Your Nose
Find someone grilling or steaming away and decide what smells best. This thit nuong at the gates of Hoi An's old town hits the spot. Do-it-yourself juicy grilled pork skewers wrapped in rice paper with a mountain of herbs.
In Hoi An, leave the main streets of the old town and head to the Tan An market. We found a lady sizzling up one of our favorite finds, bánh cãn. Popular in the southern region, these particular rice flour fritters have quail eggs dropped into the batter and are topped with a young papaya salad, herbs, pork sausage, and the mandatory nuoc cham sauce. Add a touch of chili and devour.
Step 4: Eat More
One of Vietnam's most famous culinary exports is pho, but have you tried a mi quang? Much loved in the central southern region, these noodles are chewier with only a ladle of strong broth added. It can be rich with pork, chicken, and shrimp, but the best part is the crispy cracker that comes with all the toppings. The best one we found was on the outskirts of Hoi An, so grab a bicycle and explore.
Step 5: Sleep It Off
After all the food hunting and cycling, there is only one thing left to do before repeating the whole process for dinner. Follow this hardworking vendor (in Hanoi's Dong Xuan market) and take an afternoon siesta.
Step 6: Develop a Bánh Addiction
These little steamer rice cakes, bánh beo, are named after their water fern shape. They hail from Hue, but the best ones were made by Hao, a lovely lady in Hoàng Van Thu road in Hoi An's old town. Go for the delicate cakes topped with dried shrimps scallions and mung bean paste. She's there daily, from 2-5 p.m.
Step 7: Fathom It
Recognize the Fathom logo under these beautiful steamed dumplings? Bánh bao vac, also known as white rose, is a specialty of Hoi An. Supposedly named by the French for their flower petal resemblance, they are translucent, chewy, and stuffed with shrimp
Step 8: Soak It All In
Not only does it taste better on the street, the setting is often unbeatable. Roam the back alleys of Hanoi's old quarter till you spot some gorgeous lamps. Then sit down to grilled pork ribs, roasted quail, and bun (rice vermicelliStep 9: Sweet EndingThe list of food is neverending, but to top it all off make sure you get a sweet, luscious coconut coffee. Head to Cong Caphé on the corner of Nhá Chung in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem district and watch life go by as you sip slowly and sweetly.
Source: Fathomaway
Not only does it taste better on the street, the setting is often unbeatable. Roam the back alleys of Hanoi's old quarter till you spot some gorgeous lamps. Then sit down to grilled pork ribs, roasted quail, and bun (rice vermicelliStep 9: Sweet EndingThe list of food is neverending, but to top it all off make sure you get a sweet, luscious coconut coffee. Head to Cong Caphé on the corner of Nhá Chung in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem district and watch life go by as you sip slowly and sweetly.
Source: Fathomaway
10 things you can enjoy Singapore for Free
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that Singapore is an expensive city to visit. One of the most lavish and upscale cities in all of Asia, Singapore is certainly a pricey destination that would challenge the budget of any type of traveler. From accommodations and food to theme park tickets, prices for nearly everything in Singapore have been creeping uphill lately. As a matter of fact, Singapore has the most expensive rates for hotels in the whole Asian continent, according to TTG Asia
Strangely, though, Singapore has a cornucopia of free things to do and see, to ease the pressure on your travel wallet. Indeed, you will be surprised and amazed by the sheer amount of gratis offerings in Singapore. With these freebies, Singapore can surely be a terrific destination for budget travelers and backpackers.
1. A spectacular light show at Gardens By the Bay
You will have to spend a few bucks to enter the treetop walkway and conservatories at Gardens by the Bay, but it won’t cost you a dime to wander around the Bay South’s eye-catching Outdoor Gardens. Make sure to drop by this place around 7:30 in the evening, to get the best vantage point for the mesmerizing light and sound show.
2.The Esplanade’s live music
The Esplanade, Singapore’s celebrated durian-shaped icon, has a plethora of freebies in store for its pilgrims, such as theatrical performances, live concerts and exhibits. But in my book, the best freebie from this stunning architectural gem is its nightly live music. As you spend a few hours at night by the riverside near the Esplanade, you get to listen to a variety of music under the lovely open sky. Sounds romantic, right?
3.Pay homage to the city’s temples
Speaking of temples, don’t forget to pay homage to the breathtaking and historic sacred sites in Singapore, such as the Sultan Mosque, Sri Mariammam Temple, and Thian Hock Kheng Temple. You will be in utter amazement, as you take a look at the exquisite, intricate and gorgeous craftsmanship put into creating these landmarks.
4. Marvel at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is an imperial religious site that you must swing by during your trip to this destination. After all, it is one of the top tourist attractions in Singapore. And besides, you can gaze on this architectural beauty for free.
By the way, the building is said to be the home to Buddha’s tooth relic.
5. Trekking at Mount Faber
Feast your eyes on the awe-inspiring cityscape vistas of Singapore by taking a trek up to Mount Faber.
6. Watch the physical formation of Singapore unfold
If architectural wonders are your cup of tea, visit the Singapore City Gallery. Here, you can discover how Singapore, originally a backwater village, transformed itself into a burgeoning metropolis with state-of-the-art technology and lofty skyscrapers.
7. Take a selfie with the MerlionTake a couple of selfies or photographs with the Merlion, which is the most iconic sculpture in Singapore. After taking pictures of this famous sculpted beauty, take a leisurely stroll around the Marina Bay.
8. Free vegetarian lunch
Skip the fancy restaurant chains in Singapore, and fill your stomach with a healthy and hearty vegetarian meal at the Buddhist Lodge. Every day, the Buddhist Lodge serves nutritious meals to anyone (whether rich or poor) for free.
9.A cool respite amidst a bustling city
If you are looking for a soothing respite in this buzzing metropolis, make your way to Botanic Gardens, one of the oldest and most breathtaking gardens in Singapore. A treasure trove of orchids and plants, the garden will also give you a sneak peek of the country’s colonial days
10. Free walking tours
Planning on exploring Singapore on foot? Operated by the city’s friendly and dazzling student volunteers, Singapore Footprints offers walking tours on the Bras Basah and Singapore River for free every weekend.
Strangely, though, Singapore has a cornucopia of free things to do and see, to ease the pressure on your travel wallet. Indeed, you will be surprised and amazed by the sheer amount of gratis offerings in Singapore. With these freebies, Singapore can surely be a terrific destination for budget travelers and backpackers.
1. A spectacular light show at Gardens By the Bay
You will have to spend a few bucks to enter the treetop walkway and conservatories at Gardens by the Bay, but it won’t cost you a dime to wander around the Bay South’s eye-catching Outdoor Gardens. Make sure to drop by this place around 7:30 in the evening, to get the best vantage point for the mesmerizing light and sound show.
The Esplanade, Singapore’s celebrated durian-shaped icon, has a plethora of freebies in store for its pilgrims, such as theatrical performances, live concerts and exhibits. But in my book, the best freebie from this stunning architectural gem is its nightly live music. As you spend a few hours at night by the riverside near the Esplanade, you get to listen to a variety of music under the lovely open sky. Sounds romantic, right?
Speaking of temples, don’t forget to pay homage to the breathtaking and historic sacred sites in Singapore, such as the Sultan Mosque, Sri Mariammam Temple, and Thian Hock Kheng Temple. You will be in utter amazement, as you take a look at the exquisite, intricate and gorgeous craftsmanship put into creating these landmarks.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is an imperial religious site that you must swing by during your trip to this destination. After all, it is one of the top tourist attractions in Singapore. And besides, you can gaze on this architectural beauty for free.
By the way, the building is said to be the home to Buddha’s tooth relic.
Feast your eyes on the awe-inspiring cityscape vistas of Singapore by taking a trek up to Mount Faber.
If architectural wonders are your cup of tea, visit the Singapore City Gallery. Here, you can discover how Singapore, originally a backwater village, transformed itself into a burgeoning metropolis with state-of-the-art technology and lofty skyscrapers.
Skip the fancy restaurant chains in Singapore, and fill your stomach with a healthy and hearty vegetarian meal at the Buddhist Lodge. Every day, the Buddhist Lodge serves nutritious meals to anyone (whether rich or poor) for free.
9.A cool respite amidst a bustling city
If you are looking for a soothing respite in this buzzing metropolis, make your way to Botanic Gardens, one of the oldest and most breathtaking gardens in Singapore. A treasure trove of orchids and plants, the garden will also give you a sneak peek of the country’s colonial days
Planning on exploring Singapore on foot? Operated by the city’s friendly and dazzling student volunteers, Singapore Footprints offers walking tours on the Bras Basah and Singapore River for free every weekend.
Make a plan your trip to singapore with Touching indochina
- booking hotel ask Ms Yen Hoang via skype: yen.hh/ phone:0904 830800
-booking flight tickets ask Ms Van Nguyen via skype: vannh1301
- booking hotel ask Ms Yen Hoang via skype: yen.hh/ phone:0904 830800
-booking flight tickets ask Ms Van Nguyen via skype: vannh1301
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