Vietnam Travel Guide

A frenzied mass of complex history and rich, cultural traditions, Vietnam is both the experience of a lifetime and a very difficult country to experience fully as a foreigner. Invaded and occupied by China several different times over the pass years, and subject to invasions by foreign forces on dozens of other occasions, their country has a history of violence, war, rebellion, colonization, and..wait for it..invasion. Yet, despite all of these, the country has managed to come out of it a richer place, with an intoxicating blend of cultures and traditions that makes it one of the most amazing destinations on the planet. 

Visas are required for almost all visitors, and take around a week or so to process. They must be acquired in advance, and generally lasts for 30 days. Keep in mind though that international driving permits are not valid in Vietnam. Getting around will require public transportation or “renting” a car and driver to drive you around. Many of Vietnam's most amazing sights and sounds are on the waterways, however, and no adventure in the country is complete without spending some time in a boat. Budget-wise, the country is extremely affordable, although accommodations will depend on whether or not you are in a major city like Ho Chi Minh City, or out in the country staying in a traditional stilt house in the lush countryside in places like Mai Chau. 

Vietnam is a country of amazing beauty, with lush forests and rugged mountains, as well as plenty of coastline and major hubs of modernity. Vietnamese cuisine is beyond description, and is absolutely one of the major reasons to come to the country. Great care is taken with the preparation of even the daily meals, and there are special holidays nearly every week during which the people undertake great efforts preparing cultural and traditional dishes. Bring your boots, a sense of adventure, and an empty stomach, because you are in for a treat.

During the Vietnam War the national debt increased by $146 billion (1967-1973). Adjusted for inflation, the debt in 1992 dollars was $500 billion.