7 Things not to do in Vietnam - a Cultural Guide

Travel broadens the mind but stray outside of the local laws and customs and you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of angry locals, or worse still, getting deported or locked up in jail. Follow these etiquette and cultural hints when exploring Vietnam;

Don’t blog in Vietnam – If you thought blogging about government affairs in Vietnam is cool, you better think again. Unlike most countries where you are free to blog about the government, in Vietnam, you certainly aren’t. Whether what you were blogging about was sensitive or not, it’d be ten times better to just use that keyboard to type about the weather in Vietnam. Talk about anything like corruption in the government or even the Vietnam War and you’ll either be deported, or you’ll be thinking about freedom behind steel bars. Blogging, in Vietnam, should be about your personal experiences. Blogging about the government is a no-go-zone. Vietnam travel

Keep your leisure time healthy – Despite having the freedom to blog about your personal experiences, you should know that anything that depicts pornography is highly illegal. Prostitution also happens to be illegal. If you’re the kind of person that loves going to bars and nightclubs, flirting with a couple of women and then taking them back to your crib, this isn’t the place for you. Even sharing a room with a Vietnamese of the opposite sex is wrong and co-habiting is completely a no-go option. Though this law is nowadays not so strict about this, you can never be too sure when things might get serious. Calypso Cruise

As with all destinations, it’s important to practice common sense and these tips are here to assist. Regular readers of our blog know that we adore Vietnam as a travel destination and have indeed produced many posts on the subject; My Hanoi Travel Experience: My Favourite Destination in the World, What to do in Ho Chi Minh City, 5 Weird and wonderful hotels in Vietnam and many more.

Women’s dress in Vietnam – For women, the laws are even stricter then for a man. You can’t wear revealing clothing anywhere in Vietnam apart from your own bedroom. Foreigners aren’t excluded from this law and there are some who have been called rude names for wearing sexy, revealing or low cut clothing whilst out and about. Reveal less and you might just survive in Vietnam. Showing off your bust and letting the men see how attractive your legs are will do you no good. Instead, you might end up spending the night in a cell, or you might even be on your way back to your home country. DAY TRIP CRUISE

7 Things not to do in Vietnam - a Cultural Guide

Don’t attempt to drive when in Vietnam – Your driver’s license is as good as useless in Vietnam. Having an International Driver’s License makes no difference either. However good you are at driving, you also can’t be issued with a VN driver’s license. Only a Vietnamese can obtain a driver’s license. So, kindly don’t bother driving in Vietnam if you can’t prove that you are Vietnamese. And with the roads choc-a-block 24/7 it’s no great loss to forgo driving for the duration of your holiday.

Update; whilst you can’t use your own drivers licence in Vietnam you can apply for a Vietnamese licence should you wish to, for example if you plan a lengthy stay and is required by law to drive a car or motorcycle in Vietnam. Visitors can apply via the Hanoi Department of Public Works and Transportation and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Works and Transportation, contact details can be found on the FCO Official site.


Stay safe in Vietnam – Also, the police in Vietnam aren’t interested in cases such as your bag was stolen or you got ripped off by a merchant. These cases, in the eyes of the police, aren’t crimes. They are regarded as civil matters of dispute. So, it’d be a good idea to always watch out for conmen, distraction thieves and pickpockets. They can lurk anywhere since stealing your property wouldn’t end up being a police matter. If you do lose something, hire a private investigator or someone of the sort. After that, hope that he/she isn’t a con as well. If he/she is, leave the police out of it. Always check the latest official safety and travel advice prior to travel.

Camera action – Despite criminal deception not being a major issue to the police, your camera might turn out to be a big issue. Restrain from taking pictures of military installations. All you’ll be really looking for is an unexpected arrest in which you’ll be taking pictures of your life in prison.

Drugs in Vietnam – Finally, transportation of illegal drugs is among the most offensive crimes in Vietnam. The maximum penalty for this crime is death. Though you might catch a glimpse of one or two people smoking marijuana in the streets, don’t ever be fooled into doing the same.

What to eat in Phu Quoc

To make your Mekong Delta trip become more eventful worth every penny, sen-mekongtour.com is willing to give you some suggestions about what to eat in Phu Quoc. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mekong Delta besides Cai Rang Floating Market or beautiful idyllic Mekong gardens, Phu Quoc allures tourists not only by breathtaking scenery but also by tasty seafood.

Traveling to Phu Quoc, tourists will be excited at delightful activities such as swimming, snorkeling, squid fishing…and satisfied with fresh dishes processed from diverse seafood resources in Phu Quoc.

Herring salad

Herring salad is very famous when we talk about Phu Quoc’s tradition food. The dish is processed quite simply. Newly caught fish are gutted, washed thoroughly, then sliced into pieces before being mixed with lemon juice, finely chop onion, chili. The citric acid in the juice changes the texture of the fish, without changing its “raw” taste. According to common wisdom, the lime juice “cooks” the fish – partially or completely, depending on how long it is marinated.

Mekong & Phu Quoc island (5 days, 4 nights)

What to eat in Phu Quoc

The fish is served with local herbs found in primeval forests of the island, dried coconut , rice chewy paper and sour and sweet Phu Quoc fish sauces mixed with garlic, chili and roasted peanuts.
Sea urchin. Au Co Cruise – Halong Travel

Sea urchin or sea hedgehog is another must-try dish when traveling to Phu Quoc.There are some variations of cooking sea urchin such as steam, soup or raw salad… The popular way of cooking sea urchin is grilling. Sea urchin is cleaned and roasted over charcoal fire until you can smell the aroma. Salt and lime juice is added . You can even try a bit mustard and eat it raw with some mug of beer. The raw salad is made by adding some lime juice and mustard on newly-caught sea urchins and then being served with mustard greens.

You can also enjoy sea urchin soup, sautéed sea urchin or sea urchin paste. The sea urchin meat is mixed with pepper, spring onion, good fish sauce and then deep fried and serve with roasted rice paper, herb, green banana and dip in Phu Quoc fish sauce. This is a recommended dish for any gourmets traveling to Phu Quoc.

Charcoal grilled squid

Another typical specialty of Pearl Island is. After being cleaned, the raw squids are mixed with salt, chili and oil for 15 minutes and then grilled on charcoal stove. The dish will be completed when being eaten with Vietnamese coriander and chili sauce, along with a little salt and lime.

Top 5 Things to do in Da Nang Vietnam

Da Nang is comfortably nestled between Hoi An and Hue on Vietnam’s east coast, but unlike the neighbouring towns travellers only stay here for 2 days on average, which is a real shame as there is so much so see and do in Danang! This is the fourth largest city in Vietnam so benefits from fantastic restaurants, shops and tree lined boulevards. There are also beautiful beaches, fascinating culture and archaeological wonders; after all this is the capital of the Champa Kingdom! Danang – Hoi an 3 days

Explore the Museum of Cham Sculpture

Located: 1 D Trung Nuvuon Street
Admission: 30,000 Vietnamese Dong (Less than 2 US dollars)
The Cham Museum showcases the sculptures from the Champa or Cham people who inhabited and ruled Central Vietnam from 192 AD to 1835. The museum was built by the French with heavy Cham influence showcased in the architectural design. Sculptures and adornment were brought in from temples and towers from all over the region. Sculptures rage in age from the 6th to 17th century. These artifacts and works of art and deal with Buddhist and Hindu influenced materials. Gods, sacred animals, and legends were carved as altars, statues and other temple adornments. Almost 300 different works are on display inside and outside of the main building. LA MARGUERITE

Archaeologists have recently unearthed an ancient Cham tower in Phong Le Village in Danang which is thought to be 1,000 years old. The tower has four gates and four towers and measures 16m by 16m. The site is rich in artefacts as many have been unearthed so far, providing further insight into the ancient Champa kingdom.

Tackle the mighty Marble Mountains

Located: South of Danang
Admission: Only one of the mountains is open to be scaled by visitors
The five limestone mountains located southwest of Danang are named after the five elements by an emperor of Vietnam’s past. These mountains once held temples and even pagodas carved deep into the mountains. The French, Viet Cong, and Americans all left their mark on the mountains as lookouts and hiding places. Exploring caves, temples, tunnels and even climbing up the only open mountain offer something different and beautiful to view.

For other things you didn’t know about Vietnam, check out our 10 things you didn’t know about Vietnam. For example did you know that Vietnam is the fastest growing tourist destination? Jasmine Cruise – Halong Bay

Top 5 Things to do in Da Nang Vietnam

Relax on the beautiful beaches of Da Nang

One of the more famous beaches is My Khe, or China Beach. This beach was once an R&R location for American troops during the Vietnam War. Today it is still used for relaxing, and enjoying the sun and sand. Beautiful accommodations are available for visitors today, along with clean beaches and a reduced amount of beggars compared to other beaches.

Clear water, white sand and green forests surround the Non Nuoc beach. In 2005 this beach was hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by Forbes magazine. Visitors enjoy surfing on its gentle waves and its proximity to other destinations such as the Marble Mountains.
Discover Danang Cathedral aka Rooster Church

Located: Tran Phu, City Centre
This candycane pink church was built in 1923 for the French Catholics who inhabited Vietnam at the time. Locals have long called the church Con Ga, or the Rooster Church, because of its copper rooster weathervane. Today Danang Cathedral serves 4,000 parishioners and offers services in different languages. If you wish to attend services, observe the Vietnamese etiquette and come early to avoid having to stand in the back or even in the street with cyclists for services led by the local priest. Papers are printed out to help parishioners follow along with the service.

Marvel at the decorative Buddhist Pagodas

Some of the most striking architecture, culture and history present in Danang is located in its many buildings, especially its pagodas. Pagodas in Vietnam are traditional tiered places of Buddhist worship that hold special sacred articles. Worshippers come to pray and meditate within the confines of the pagoda and its surrounding areas.

Tinh bột nghệ giúp giải độc gan

Sơ lược về gan:
Với nhiệm vụ chính là xử lý và loại bỏ các chất độc hại trong máu, gan sinh ra 13000 chất hóa học và 2000 enzyme khác nhau cho cơ thể. Khi ở tình trạng cao điểm, gan càng hoạt động tối ưu hơn, cơ quan này thanh lọc 2 lít máu mỗi phút và các enzyme được sinh ra sẽ phá vỡ cấu trúc của các chất độc hại, biến chúng trở thành vô hại với cơ thể.

Một chế độ ăn uống không hợp lý,sử dụng quá nhiều rượu bia,hút thuốc lá,chất kích thích….. hay việc tiếp xúc thường xuyên với những chất gây dị ứng và hóa chất, có thể làm cho gan của bạn bị nhiễm độc và hoạt động trì trệ. Vì gan là nguồn dự trữ vitamin, khoáng chất, carbonhydrate, protein, chất béo và là nguồn cung cấp nội tiết tố nên nếu cơ quan này bị nhiễm độc thì sẽ ảnh hưởng rất nghiêm trọng đối với cơ thể. bot san day giúp giải độc, giải nhiệt

Một trong những cách giúp gan loại bỏ độc tố chính là việc tạo ra mật. Do đó, khi lượng mật được sản sinh ra nhiều càng có lợi cho quá trình giải độc gan. Theo nghiên cứu của các chuyên gia, nghệ sẽ giúp tăng lượng mật và làm thanh lọc gan, giúp trẻ hóa các tế bào gan và tiếp thêm năng lượng để chúng loại bỏ các độc tố.

Lợi ích giải độc gan từ Nghệ:
Từ xa xưa, củ nghệ đã được biết đến trong y học như là vị vua của mọi loại gia vị.Thành phần chính của củ nghệ là curcumin. Chất Curcumin trong tinh bot nghe vang giúp làm sạch gan, lọc máu, tăng cường chức năng tiêu hóa và loại bỏ độc tố. Ngoài ra, Nghệ còn kích thích túi mật sản sinh nhiều mật và giúp dọn sạch các gốc tự do.
Là một phương pháp từ lâu đời trong y học áp dụng để chữa bệnh xơ gan, curcumin tăng cường quá trình giải độc gan, ngăn chặn quá trình chuyển đổi từ rượu và những chất độc khác sang các hợp chất gây hại cho gan. Bên cạnh đó, curcumin còn đảo ngược tác dụng phụ của việc tiêu thụ sắt quá mức đối với gan.

Đặc biệt, curcumin còn có khả năng chống oxy hóa, tinh bot nghe den giúp cơ thể chống lại bệnh ung thư, nhiễm virus và viêm khớp. Do đặc tính kháng viêm vượt trội, không gây ra tác dụng phụ khó chịu cho cơ thể nên nghệ còn được sử dụng để làm sạch da, tạo ra màu sắc đẹp mắt cho món ăn ngon miệng, bảo quản thực phẩm và còn nhiều công dụng khác.

Tuy nhiên bạn cũng cần lưu ý rằng trong củ nghệ tươi ngoài curcumin còn có nhựa và tinh dầu nghệ có tính nóng và gây hại cho gan.vì vậy nếu bạn chỉ sử dụng nghệ tươi hoặc bột nghệ thì không nên dùng trong một thời gian dài và thường xuyên.
Hiện nay sản phẩm TINH BỘT NGHỆ chiết xuất từ củ nghệ tươi được tách nhựa và tinh dầu chứa hàm lượng curcumin cao,khi sử dụng sẽ không bị nóng,cơ thể dễ hấp thụ. Đối với người hút thuốc, thường xuyên sử dụng rượu bia: mỗi ngày hãy bổ sung vào cơ thể 5-10gr Tinh bột nghệ để ngăn chặn quá trình chuyển đổi từ rượu và những chất độc khác sang các hợp chất gây hại cho gan. Cơ thể bạn sẽ giảm đáng kể các tế bào đột biến gây ung thư

Phu Quoc travel guide

In waters south of the country, PhuQuoc island – VietNam is the largest pearl island in Vietnam, where is also the largest island in the 22 island populations here, located in the Gulf of Thailand. Phu Quoc is one of the attractions, the most wonderful resort. When you come to Phu Quoc , you can immerse yourself in the blue water, breathe in the fresh sea breeze, stationary soul in streams Pics, enjoy fresh seafood ... Mekong & Phu Quoc island (5 days, 4 nights)
1, Phu Quoc island - VietNam Information
Location of PhuQuoc island- VietNam
PhuQuoc Island and other islands formed under PhuQuoc Island, Kien Giang Province. PhuQuoc Island has a total area of 589.23 km ².
In 2006, Biosphere Reserve and coastal islands in Kien Giang included Phu Quoc Island by UNESCO recognized world biosphere reserve .

• Image Cruise Halong Bay

Climate of PhuQuoc island- VietNam
PhuQuoc Island- VietNam has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: the dry season from November to April next year , the rainy season from May to October.
Transport of PhuQuoc- The pearl island of VietNam
Today, the road system on the island is growing rapidly , which is next to the passenger route from the mainland to the island by air and maritime is very convenient so visitors can be sure to also like walking on the island without encountering any obstacles .

• Private 3D Cai Be – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Chau Doc

To save time you can go by air, where there are 3 direct flights to Phu Quoc airport Noi Bai airport ( Hanoi) , Tan Son Nhat airport ( HCMC ) and airport Tho ( Can Tho ) . You should fly away - fly on the flight to Phu Quoc lunch range is now just to check-in and check -out hotels that do not take much time to wait.

Phu Quoc travel guide

In addition, you can go Phu Quoc travel by land or sea. If you want to comfortable, you should go to Phu Quoc ride about 10p.m, 5a.m it will come Kien Giang.
Transport of PhuQuoc Island

Culture- Social of PhuQuoc- The pearl island of VietNam
PhuQuoc island- VietNam is considered also the place of Cao Dai . Today the island has a Cao Dai Temple in the town of Duong Dong . On the island there is only one Catholic church in the town of An Thoi , which is also home to the former concentration of migrants from the north in 1954. In Phu Quoc Island , on July fifteenth lunar day people usually go the temple in the town of Duong Dong . On this day in religious activities was quite busy.

2, Some of the major tourist attractions in PhuQuoc- pearl island of VietNam are:
Phu Quoc pearl island of VietNam still retain the original wild character whether visitors flocked to a busy day. PhuQuoc travel will be a great celebration of your life during the turn of the landmarks in PhuQuoc you have visited. PhuQuoc travel: Ham Ninh fishing village, Sao beach, beach Khem, Painting streams, springs stone table, garden pepper KhuTuong, Nguyen Trung Truc Temple, nose Ganh Oil, Long beach, the bins the sauce, oyster farms Japan handsome, historic sites Phu Quoc prison ...
PhuQuoc national park
PhuQuoc National Park is a national park in Vietnam, located in Phu Quoc Island , Kien Giang Province . Phu Quoc National Park covers the area of nature conservation areas North Island , Ham Rong Mountain area , and Cua Ganh oil .
PhuQuoc National Park attracts many tourists due to its scenic natural beauty and unspoiled beaches, Phu Quoc is more potential for eco-tourism by the government for a long-term strategy is to develop economy in a sustainable way, minimizing the impact of tourism with the natural environment.

PhuQuoc national parkPhu Quoc national park
PhuQuoc Marine Protected Areas (MPA)
PhuQuoc MPA is one of the marine protected area was established soon. in a network of marine protected areas in Vietnam.

AnThoi islands
AnThoi Islands is an archipelago located in the Gulf of Thailand. Islands under the management of Hon Thom Commune, Phu Quoc District, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. An Thoi islands where nearly 30m deep sea. Visitors can explore nature, fishing, scuba diving,….

Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh Museum
The impressive Reunification Palace (Dinh Thong Nhat)  is now open as a museum and offers daily tours through the conference rooms, the Presidential Receiving Room, basement tunnels and war room. Everything has been left pretty much as it was on the fateful day of 30 April 1975 when Communist tanks crashed through the iron gates and overthrew the South Vietnamese Government. South Vietnam tours

Municipal Theatre

The pink, colonial-style Municipal Theatre (Nha Hat Thanh Pho) was originally built in 1899 as an opera venue and, after a spell as a fortress HQ for the government, is once again a venue for music, as well as theatre productions and gymnastics events. 3 days Mekong with transfer to Phu Quoc Island

People’s Committee Building

Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City

Formerly the Hotel de Ville, the People’s Committee Building (UBND-Tran Phu)  is the symbol of the French Colonial era and an outstanding city landmark, ­although members of the public are not admitted. The ornate interior features crystal chandeliers and wall-sized ­murals. Bai Tho Junk – a romantic experience

Museum of Vietnamese ­History

The Museum of Vietnamese ­History (Bao Tang Lich Su) documents the evolution of Vietnam’s ­various cultures, from the Dong Son bronze age civilisation through to the southern Chinese Funan civilisation, the Chams and the Khmers. The ­museum is located in a stunning building which is a fine example of French/Chinese hybrid architecture.

War Remnants Museum

The items on display at the impressive War Remnants Museum (Nha Trung Bay Toi Ac Chien Tranh)  include American tanks, infantry weapons, and the original French guillotine brought to Vietnam in the early 20th century. There are many photos on display showing the distressing effects of war.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum

The Ho Chi Minh City Museum (Bao Tang Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh) is housed in a white neoclassical structure once known as the Gia Long Palace. Built in 1866, this grand colonial edifice ­contains exhibits ­detailing the history of the city and southern Vietnam with reference to the long struggle for independence.

Fine Arts Museum

The grand, colonial-era Fine Arts Museum (Bao Tang My Thuat) houses various galleries. The first floor features revolving exhibitions of contemporary Vietnamese art. The second floor contains war art, while the third floor features older art, including statues of the Buddha, and Thai and Khmer sculpture.

Jade Emperor Pagoda

The small Sino-Vietnamese Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chua Ngoc Huang), aka the Tortoise Pagoda (Phuoc Hai Tu), was built by Cantonese ­Buddhists in 1909 and is one of the city’s most colourful pagodas. There is a weird and wonderful array of wooden statues, some Buddhist, others Daoist-inspired. Look out for the elaborately robed Jade Emperor himself, and the triple-headed, eight-armed statue of Phat Mau Chau De.

Dien Bien Phu Travel Guide

Extremely mountainous, Dien Bien is one of the newest provinces in Vietnam, having been split off from Lai Chau further to the north. The province features some of the most exhilarating mountainous terrain in all of Vietnam. Winding along the rugged road that is Highway 6, one deep valley is followed by another, often with rice paddies dug in steps along the sides of the hills, reaching up to incredible, and seemingly inaccessible heights. But look close, and you may spy a lone figure climbing up a 70-degree slop with a full load of firewood on their back. It's easy to see why the Montagnards were such a critical asset in transporting supplies and equipment during both Indochinese wars — they'd been training for it since birth. North Vietnam packages

Much of the province remains undeveloped and seldom-visited, perhaps because so much of it shares a border with Laos, and decent through-roads linking the two countries have been a long time in coming. The border crossing at Tay Trung (Sop Hun on the Laos side) is open for business and foreigners can pass through here.

• A quick look on Halong Bay map

The provincial capital, Dien Bien Phu, is mostly a mix of ethnic Viet Kinh (the majority ethnic group of the country) and White Thai, with other minorities inhabiting the outlying areas, but is best know for the battle of the same name which pretty much marked the beginning of the end — or more like the end of the beginning of the end — for the French involvement in Vietnam.

Dien Bien Phu Travel Guide

The long, wide valley that encloses the town was the scene of a fierce, 57-day siege on French positions that decisively ended French rule in Indochina, and, in doing so, inspired anti-colonialist, revolutionary movements around the world and set the stage for some of the most pivotal events of the second half of the 20th century.  MEKONG EYES

Now little remains of the battlefield itself — the trenches, barbed wire, encampments, and battlelines that once criss-crossed the terrain have long since been erased to make room for development and agriculture. But a handful of war vestiges have been carefully preserved, constituting a series of exhibits that tourists can view and learn from, with or without a guide, in the course of a day.

This is, by far, the chief reason any tourist ever visits Dien Bien Phu at all, and for French travellers looking to get in touch with that important, decidedly chequered, chapter of their history, a stop here is de rigeur. But for most other travellers, a trip to A1 Hill and the museum will offer all the coverage of the event that they need.

Aside from the history on display, Dien Bien Phu presents little more that a sprawling, dusty, nondescript border town
The Tay Trung Border
You may also need to pass through Dien Bien Phu if you are coming or going through Tay Trung/Sop Hun, the border crossing with Laos, 34 km to the southwest. This provides and interesting new route for travelling from northern Laos directly to Hanoi without having to dip down to Luang Prabang or Vientiane

It's still sparsely-used by foreigners, but you can get a Laotian visa-on-arrival when crossing into Laos, and, as ever, most nationalities must already have obtained a valid Vietnamese visa when crossing the other way.

The best option for crossing into Laos is to take the bus direct from Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua in Phongsali province. The bus leaves at 05:30 and costs 88,000 VND. There's little reason to just arrange travel to the border but if you want to your best bet is to take a xe om which will cost around 130,000.