Vietnam for Overseas Travel: A Walk in the Clouds! Introducing the charms of the country, including the Golden Bridge supported by two hands, a bay with 1,600 limestone islands where a dragon is said to have descended, and lantern-lit streets blending Japanese, Chinese, and European influences ☕
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1. Features
1. Time, Currency, Climate
・From Japan, about 4-6 hours by direct flight
・2-hour time difference from Japan
・1 yen = approx. 166.3 dong
・Generally cheaper than Japan, about 1/3 to 1/5 the cost
・Northern region (Hanoi etc.) has four distinct seasons ・Central region (Da Nang etc.) is prone to typhoon impacts
・Southern region (Ho Chi Minh City etc.) is hot and humid all year round with a tropical climate
・Rainy season (around May-Oct) and dry season (around Nov-Apr)
2. Surprising Culture
・Roads are filled with motorcycles, carrying 3 or 4 people, furniture, etc., unpredictable traffic jams
・Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism have fused into a unique religious perspective
・The world's 2nd largest coffee exporter, featuring a unique roasting method where Robusta beans, a bitter variety, are roasted with butter or fish sauce, and a rich coffee that uses large amounts of condensed milk
③ Cuisine
☆Characterized by frequent use of herbs and vegetables and a mild and healthy flavor profile based on nuoc mam (fish sauce), with seasoning that varies significantly between the north, central, and south regionsseasoning
・Fresh Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon) → A healthy appetizer made by wrapping shrimp, vegetables, and herbs in rice paper healthy
・Pho → A national Vietnamese soup noodle dish made with flat rice noodles. Chicken or beef are common
・Banh xeo → A crepe-style savory pancake made by adding turmeric (a yellow ginger spice) to rice flour batter, then filling it with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, etc.
④Souvenirs
・Mung bean cake → Made from mung bean flour, it is characterized by its fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and is often wrapped in auspicious golden packaging
・YUGOC's unheated raw honey (raw honey) → Honey harvested in the nature-rich Vietnam has a unique flavor that is hard to find in Japan
・Ethnic dolls, perfumes, and wood carvings featuring the motif of Vietnam's national costume, the 'Ao Dai', are popular.
2. Tourist Spots
1. Golden Bridge (Da Nang)
[Architecture]
・Selected as one of the 'wonders of man-made structures' by the British newspaper, the Daily Mail,
・The two giant 'God's Hands' are inspired by 'hands of a god reaching into the sky' floating above the sea of clouds in Da Nang, creating the sensation of walking on a 'golden thread'.
・The design is actually a new structure built in 2018. The key point is that it is weathered to look like an ancient ruin, making it appear as if it has been there for centuries.
[Superb View]
・Located at an altitude of over 1,000m on the Ba Na Hills, offering spectacular views overlooking Da Nang city, the Annam Mountains, and sometimes a sea of clouds
・The approximately 150m-long golden walkway winds like a ribbon, allowing you to enjoy different scenery and breathtaking views with every step
② Ha Long Bay
[Features]
・In the Gulf of Tonkin (northern region), about 1,600 limestone islands and strange rock formations float in the emerald green sea
・Formed about 250 million years agothe rock formationswere over a long period of timeby rain and windto be carvedinto unique shapes, and in Vietnamese it means 'where the dragon descends' meaning
[Experience]
・Cruise the thousands of rock formationsand emerald green seaon a cruise ship, visit a floating village (fishing village) to observe life on the water, see how pearls are harvested at a pearl farm, cave exploration, kayaking, seaplane rides, etc.
3. Hoi An (City)
[Streetscape]
・Central Vietnam, once a prosperous international trading port, flourished, Chinese, Japanese, European, and other cultures fused into historic townscapes that are a feature of this World Heritage site
・The Japanese built Lai Vien Kieu (Japanese Bridge), a Buddhist temple is the only one in the world covered bridge that also appears on the 20,000 dong banknote as a landmark
・At dusk,the entire townis illuminated bycolorfullanterns(rooted in (Taoist customsto ward offevil spiritsare theroots), and thefloating lanternson theThu Bon Riveraremystical. ALantern Festivalis held on thenight of every full moon, which isespecially lively
・Abundantstreet food(Cao Lau, White Rose, etc.),andeating your way throughthelivelynight market(vibrant)