25 Must-See Experiences in Vietnam
It’s impossible to explore everything Vietnam has to offer in a single trip, and we don’t recommend trying. Instead, here’s a curated list of the country’s highlights—featuring stunning landscapes, vibrant festivals, ancient landmarks, and colonial-era architecture. This selection offers a taste of Vietnam’s rich culture and diverse experiences. 1. Hoi An Renowned for its cultural […]
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam: A Guide to Weather and Seasons
Vietnam’s tropical monsoon climate is influenced by two primary monsoons: the south or southwest monsoon (May to September) and the northeast monsoon (October to April). This creates diverse weather patterns across the country, varying significantly by region, altitude, and latitude. Southern Vietnam The dry season in southern Vietnam typically spans December to late April or […]
Top Destinations to Visit in Vietnam
Vietnam is a diverse and sprawling country, larger than many anticipate. If you plan to explore its full length, encompassing the highlands, deltas, and a few rest days, a month is ideal. With just two weeks, you can either focus on the coastal highlights or dive into one region at a slower, more immersive pace. […]
Exploring the Vietnamese Language: History, Dialects, and Practical Tips for Visitors
Vietnamese, a tonal language rich with Thai, Khmer, and Chinese influences, has a fascinating history and a unique structure that can challenge even the most linguistically inclined Westerners. Despite its complexity, making an effort to learn some basic phrases can leave a lasting impression on locals, even though English is widely spoken in urban areas […]
Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam’s Southern Lowlands
As the Viet people expanded southward along the coastal plains and into the Mekong Delta, they displaced two prominent ethnic groups—the Cham and the Khmer—whose descendants continue to live in the region today. Cham People Population: 130,000 Primary Locations: Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and areas near the Cambodian border Historically, the Cham ruled over much […]
Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam’s Central Highlands
The Central Highlands of Vietnam is home to a vibrant array of ethnic minority groups, most of whom are indigenous peoples. These communities often follow matrilineal traditions, value communal living, and observe intricate burial rituals. Over centuries, their cultures have demonstrated remarkable resilience against external influences. Historical Influence Christianity made significant inroads into the Central […]
Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam’s Northern Highlands
The rugged northern mountains of Vietnam are home to diverse ethnic groups, many of whom trace their origins to southern China. Among the most prominent are the Tay and Thai, historically powerful feudal communities that have long dominated the fertile valleys. Meanwhile, more recently arrived groups, such as the Hmong and Dao, inhabit the higher, […]
Vietnam’s Ethnic Minorities: A Recent Historical Overview
Traditional Relations with the Viet Majority Historically, the ethnic minorities of Vietnam maintained a complex relationship with the ruling Viet kings. While they were expected to pay tribute, they were largely left to manage their own affairs. This dynamic shifted significantly with the arrival of Catholic missionaries in the Central Highlands, who converted many ethnic […]
Vietnam’s Ethnic Minorities: A Rich Cultural Tapestry
Vietnam is home to over 97 million people, with 86% identifying as ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh). Around 900,000 are of Chinese (Hoa) descent, while the remaining population includes approximately 11 million individuals from 52 officially recognized ethnic minority groups. These groups are further divided into numerous subgroups, some comprising thousands of members, while others consist of […]
Hoa Hao: A Homegrown Religion Promoting Peace and Simplicity
One of Vietnam’s notable indigenous religious movements, Hoa Hao, meaning “peace and kindness,” originated in the late 1930s near Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta. Founded by the mystic Huynh Phu So, the sect advocates a pure, simple form of Buddhism that emphasizes self-practice through meditation, fasting, and prayer without reliance on clergy or elaborate […]