1) The People- There is just something special about the Vietnamese people. Almost everyone you pass on the crowded sidewalks of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) will greet you with a warm and friendly smile. Though they tend to be timid when meeting foreigners for the first time, they are kind and hospitable and eager to get to know you over a meal or cup of coffee.
2) The Social Scene- Vietnam has a “cafe culture” with coffee shops at almost every corner. There is also a developing culture of young English learners, making it easy to communicate with almost anyone between the ages of 18-30. If you’re a foreign-looking English speaker and you find yourself with nothing to do, stop by a coffee shop or park and wait about 5 minutes until someone approaches you wanting to practice their English.
3) The Affordability- In most of Vietnam, you can eat on $5/day pretty easily. If you’re into ‘hostel living,’ you can find pretty good places to stay for $4-7/night. Transportation is cheap, too if you’re okay with hopping on the back of a motorbike. The markets and street side shops are full of great deals, knockoffs, and cheap souvenirs!
4) The Food- Not only is the food in Vietnam super cheap, but it’s also super delicious! Vietnam is mostly known for her mouthwatering Pho, which is rice noodles in a salty broth with a plethora of herbal toppings. Other must-try items are Banh Mi (the street side sandwich featuring a french baguette, your choice of meat, cheese, veggies, cilantro, and chili sauce), Nem Ran (crunchy spring rolls), and Vietnamese Iced Coffee (like no coffee you’ve ever tasted before).
5) The Scenery- Vietnam’s got it all when it comes to scenery. Like the water? Check out the Mekong River, the Halong Bay, or the easy beach towns of Nha Trang and Da Nang. Like a faster pace? Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) never disappoints those with a taste for bright lights and city life. Vietnam also has beautiful mountains, gorgeous countryside, and charming historic towns. There’s certainly something to tickle just about anyone’s fancy!
6) The Self-Care- Especially in the bigger cities of Vietnam, manicures, pedicures, and massages are readily available at cheap, cheap prices! I was able to enjoy a mani, pedi, and massage all for under $10 total. Just make sure you trust the cleanliness of the place that you choose. And remember to leave a tip because those women are working so hard for so little!
7) The Underground Church- Vietnam is one of the 5 closed countries left in the world. It is illegal to evangelize here, and the few Protestant churches you’ll find are all government run— but that hasn’t stopped missionaries from coming here by the hundreds. Jesus followers form communities of House Churches where they learn and worship together in secret. The Vietnamese people are hungry for Truth and they are willing to risk their lives, jobs, and relationships in order to find it. There are still many Vietnamese people who have not heard the name of Jesus Christ, and though the government would like to keep it that way, God has other plans!
