If you imagine a country in which ancient Buddhist pagodas coexist with colonial buildings, and modern skyscrapers border on rice fields, it will undoubtedly be Vietnam! It is worth traveling here not only for the tropical beaches and fragrant pho soups, but also to understand how this country lives. Here are some interesting facts that will help you better understand local life.
The cheapest beer in the world
For those who think beer is not cheap, Vietnam is able to change their minds: here the local foam like "Saigon" or "333" in stores is cheaper than a bottle of water. The explanation for this is simple: beer is produced domestically, labor is inexpensive, ingredients are available, and excise taxes on alcohol are minimal. Add to this the love of the locals for this drink - and here is the result: Vietnam confidently occupies one of the leading places in beer consumption per capita in Southeast Asia.
The editors remind you that drinking alcohol is harmful to your health.
Coffee with egg instead of cappuccino
If you are bored with the usual latte, you should try Vietnamese coffee. And not the one with condensed milk, but even more interesting - with egg! The yolk is whipped with sugar and condensed milk, and a strong espresso is poured on top - you get a thick, sweet and aromatic drink that was invented back in the 1940s, when milk was tight in the country. The taste is unusual, but it is worth trying at least out of curiosity.
Bill with a tractor
Even money in Vietnam holds history. On the 200 dong banknote you can see the image of the Belarusian MTZ-52 tractor! This tractor once played an important role in the development of the country's agriculture, and the locals still remember and appreciate it.
Snake Village
In the vicinity of Hanoi there is Le Mat - a place where instead of the usual cattle ... snakes are bred. Reptiles are used here to make tinctures, dishes and medicines. Locals have long turned snake breeding into a craft and family business. You can get there on excursions or by public transport.
Cone-shaped hats aren't just from the sun
Those wide hats that can be seen in photos from Vietnam are not just a decorative thing: they protect from the sun and rain, but also from snakes and lizards that sometimes fall from trees. The conical shape helps the animals roll down the hat without falling over the collar of the shirt. During the war years, the locals even invented a protective version of such hats made of several layers of rice straw.
Theater on the water
In Hanoi, the ancient Thang Long Theater has been preserved, where performances take place... on the water. Actors waist deep into the water and control puppets depicting mythical creatures and scenes from peasant life. This type of art has existed for more than a thousand years and is considered one of the national symbols of Vietnam.
Bikes instead of cars
If in large cities of Europe it is common to see traffic jams, then in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City everything is different - here most are on bikes. Moreover, one motorcycle can be ridden by a whole family with children, food, luggage and even furniture! Of course, there are road rules, but they follow them here, let's be honest, at their own discretion...
Lavish funeral
A local funeral is more like a celebration than a mournful event. Here the deceased is escorted with music, processions and treats, and the richer the ceremony, the better, because they believe that the offended deceased can take revenge on his relatives if they save on seeing off to the other world.
The largest cave on the planet
In 2009, speleologists proved that the largest cave in the world is located in Vietnam. Son Dong is a natural giant up to 250 meters high and 150 meters wide. Inside it there are clouds and its own ecosystem, and the age of this underground miracle is about five million years.
New Year in Vietnamese
The most important holiday in Vietnam is called Tet. It is celebrated on the day of the first moon after January 21, it symbolizes purity and renewal. Before the holiday, the locals carefully clean the house, put on new clothes and cook traditional dishes. It is believed that the whole coming year depends on how you meet Tet.
Vietnam is a country where ancient customs coexist with modernity, and history is found literally at every step. It is these details that make a trip here truly memorable!
