For those out there seeking a new south-east Asian holiday destination, this one could suffice as an alternative to the often favoured Thailand.
Vietnam is a country with a lot to offer and in my opinion is better than Thailand for so many reasons. The country is full of hidden gems and has a rich history and highly diverse culture. Something that Thailand is known for and people may not know about Vietnam is that it is also home to many stunning beaches, Phu Quoc and Mui Ne are two that are particularly beautiful but Hội An also has several to choose from.
Vietnam is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Hội An, which is an incredibly well-preserved example of a small-scale trading port that was active in the 15th to 19th centuries and Ha Long Bay, which is known for its emerald green waters and thousands of towering limestone islands that are topped by rainforests.
You can take boat tours or go on kayak expeditions in the bay and it’s one of the most serene places that I have ever visited.
Sapa is also the place to visit if you want to explore the rice fields and get beautiful views of the mountains surrounding them.
Vietnam is of course rich in it’s history with its periods of Chinese influence, French colonialism and the Vietnam War being some of its most prominent. There is much to learn and explore about all of this eras.
Although tourism is increasing in Vietnam, there are considerably less toruists than in Thailand, with double the amount of tourists visiting Thailand last year in comparison to Vietnam.
Popular among tourists however, is the Ha Giang Loop – it’s a 230-mile motorbike route through the north of Thailand. Known for its breath-taking scenery, including waterfalls, rice terraces and ethnic villages, the loop typically starts and ends in the town of Ha Giang, and most people travel there from the capital, Hanoi by overnight bus.
Food, travel and accomodation in Vietnam is generally more affordable than in Thailand also.
Vietnamese food is fresh, healthy and full of flavour and you can sample some of their signature dishes including Pho, Bahn Mih and spring rolls.
You can take cooking classes all over the country and you’ll likely meet some of the friendliest locals you’ve ever come across.
The coffee is one of my favourite parts about the country, and it’s arguably the best coffee in the world. Known for its egg coffee, coconut coffee and salt coffee, there is a huge variety to try and it offers rich and intense flavours that will also help you get through all of the busy travel days and sight seeing.
So, if you’re looking for an alternative to Thailand, Vietnam is definititely one to consider.
