Patrick’s Vietnam Travel Story

If there is one destination in South East Asia that you must travel, Vietnam is a clear winner. Amongst the midst of heavy bike traffic, bustling streets and communist propaganda there is a strange draw to the land that is most known for the civil conflict some time ago. Whether it be the mystic Sapa, or the picturesque Halong Bay, there is an undeniable charm to the landscape outside of the urban city centres.

Coming from an immigrant nation such as Australia, the Vietnamese cuisine was not such a far cry from what I had already experienced countless times back home. That is not to discredit the food in Vietnam, but a simple remark of how well the food as translated across borders and countries. For such food to be imitated in so many different countries is a statement of the uniqueness and deliciousness of Vietnamese food itself. That’s not so saying that there is no new or unique food to be found it Vietnam, my first experiences with egg coffee or various completely foreign street foods have been truly memorable for my Vietnamese adventure.

For history buffs, there is a distinct abundance of historical museums, war museums and aging relics which mark a conflict which devastated a now peaceful Vietnam. Old colonial architecture or imperialistic buildings which line the streets mark the influence of the French and Chinese cultures respectively, and provide an interesting throwback to a much more ancient time.

The locals are generally friendly by nature and display a certain degree of blissful humbleness that is a trademark of Asian cultures. There is not a single monotonous moment in the cities, that are best displayed by busy streets, a strong café culture and the exciting bar and club culture at night. Vietnam is an eccentric mix of old traditional culture and modern western and Korean influence, blending to make one of the most unforgettable destinations I’ve ventured.

Photos and words by Patrick Vu, from Australia