Did you know that Vietnam extended the visa waiver for another three years, making traveling to the Southeast Asian nation much easier for travellers from the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Vacationers from these four countries will be allowed to enter for up to 15 days without having to acquire documentation, while an electronic visa is required for travel up to 30 days.
Here, the7 reasons why you should take advantage of a trip without long paperwork in one of the last communist countries in the world.
- The ferment of Hanoi
What makes the capital so interesting is that it looks very old-fashioned, anchored to the past with its French colonial history, entrenched in its cafes, sidewalks, architecture and six of its wide tree-lined avenues. Take a ride aboard one of the thousands of tuk-tuk swarming the streets of the city to get an idea of the daily frenzy that populates the city.
- Visit Ho Chi Minh
Not the city, but the man. The communist revolutionary and the first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam lie embalmed in the mausoleum of Hanoi, erected in honor of the revolutionary’s death in 1969. The body lies in a cooled glass case, in one of the central rooms, through which visitors they pass silently to pay homage.
- Get ready and buy
Go to the commercial port of Hoi An – considered not only the tailoring capital of Vietnam, but of all Southeast Asia – and have a tailored suit made at the minimum cost of € 75. Leave with the empty suitcase on the way, so to be able to bring home a new and complete wardrobe.
- Navigate the Mekong
The famous river winds its way through Southeast Asia, but flows into the South China Sea in the Mekong Delta, south of Ho Chi Minh City. This is Vietnam in its most pastoral form. Here, over 1,000 species of animals live side by side in what is described as a “biological treasure”. If you are looking for a little more human interaction, take a boat to explore the floating markets.
- Admire Ho Chi Minh City from above
Ho Chi Minh City offers a stark contrast to the north of Hanoi. The bold southern city is all modern characterized by skyscrapers and new projects under construction. Find a rooftop bar in one of the many hotels to admire the city from above as the sunsets
- Find peace and serenity in a cave
Vietnam is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary underground treasures, with the country’s most famous cave, the gigantic Hang Son Doong. So large that it has its own weather system, the caves could house a 40-story skyscraper or let a Boeing 747 pass. Only 1,000 visitors are allowed into the caves each year. Other caves include the Tu Lan cave system, used in filming King Kong: Skull Island (2017) and Hang Va.
- Tet holiday or Vietnamese Lunar New Year
It is the most significant festival in Vietnam. Like Vietnam’s longest public holidays, Tet is a wonderful time for all tourists who can enjoy the festive atmosphere, exploring one of the oldest holidays in the world. Tet holiday 2020 is held from 25 to 27 January 2020 (New Year is the previous day).
Tet Holiday is celebrated to welcome the new year. It is considered an important sign for changes, plans and progress. Furthermore, the Vietnamese believe that what they do on the first day of the year will affect the whole year. Therefore, they pay close attention to every word they say and everything they do. In addition, Tet represents the only opportunity for all family members to spend happy moments together after a year of hard work.