Vietnam is one of the most travel-friendly destinations attracting millions of foreign visitors from all over the globe and it’s not hard to understand why:

Situated in South East Asia, Vietnam has a wildly diverse landscape making it one of the most photogenic destinations in the world. There are beaches, beautiful islands, caves, lush rice fields, hiking trails which are all part of the different facets of the country. You’ll discover a fascinating mix of cultures, history and an abundance of delicious food! The rich culture and picturesque views aren’t the only things that will leave a lasting impression. It’s the Vietnamese people you’ll meet along the way. Most of us desire a deeper connection to the places we travel, but there is a no better way to do so than with the help from the Vietnamese locals.
Befriending a local can really enrich your experience, especially when traveling solo. Local insiders can be an invaluable source of information as they can give you tips to help you uncover the country’s hidden gems and culture. They are, in a nutshell, the best tour guide you could ever ask for.

Vietnamese people

Like most Southeast Asian countries, the Vietnamese are known for their unwavering smiles and natural curiosity towards foreign visitors. They’re easy going, curious and genuinely one of the friendliest nations in the world. Meeting local people in Vietnam is fairly easy, despite their shyness. The language barrier might be an issue if they don’t speak English but most people are curious and happy to meet and chat with someone different. You can also practice your Vietnamese!

Ever wondered what it’d be like to eat, shop and relax like the locals? Here are Tips on how to mingle with local people!

Beer clubs

The cheap beer scene attracts both tourists and locals. It’s not just the backpackers that love cheap beer, the locals cannot resist a bargain, too.
All you need to do is go to Beer Street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi and look for an open bar that has plastic chairs outside. You’ll find yourself with young locals and other travelers drinking cheap beer and chatting the night away.

Where to go
Ho Chi Minh: Bui Vien Street
Hanoi: Ta Hien Street

Coffee shops

One of the ‘must things’ to do in Vietnam is trying Vietnamese coffee. The coffee culture is part of daily life, so don’t be surprised to find many locals gathering outside a cafe sipping leisurely. It’s also a great excuse to try Vietnam’s finest coffee beans and spontaneously mingling with coffee lovers.

Lakes and parks

It’s not uncommon to encounter many students who will want to practice their English with you, especially when you’re taking a stroll in the parks such as Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem lake or Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh. These calm and relaxing places are ideal to initiate a friendly chat and there the people can give you different insights.

Homestays

If you’re really looking to interact with locals and have a culturally-immersive experience, then choosing a Home-stay over a hotel is the way to go. Given Vietnam’s cultural diversity and beautiful landmarks, the mountainous areas such as Sapa and Quang Nam’s make ideal locations for the homestay experience. Sapa is popular for its vividly green scenery and for playing host to a great diversity of highland ethnic minorities. Enjoying local life and culture in the comforts of an authentic homestay amidst lush rice fields such as Sapa can be a truly memorable experience.

For more of a city experience, places such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh can give you an insight into local life in a bustling metropolis.

Home Stay brings travelers a culturally immersive travel experience at budget prices and gives hosts the chance to boost their income while making lasting friendships.

Backpacker areas

Where there is a backpackers scene, locals will be there, too. It’s not just the cheap beer that brings people together. The backpacking area is lively and fun. From party hostels to Beer streets in Hanoi’s Old quarter to the endless bars in Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh. There will always be somewhere to meet locals who’d want to meet fresh faces.

Find a local guide

One quick way to get to know a country is by simply hiring a local guide. We don’t like the usual tourist style itineraries that take you to the overcrowded places. You’d want a genuine person to take you off the beaten track and experience what they see. Your local guide can take you to places other travelers might not have the chance to visit. Most guides will charge and some will be free. Non Profit organizations that run across the country – mostly in cities provide free student tours and walking tours. What a great way for them to practice their English with you and for you to learn about their Vietnamese culture.

Websites such as Inspitrip, and Free Tour Vietnam are where you’ll the most enthusiastic locals wanting to take you around.

Forums

Keen locals ready to interact with foreigners can be found in forums such as Facebook Groups, Expat and Language exchange sites. There are many message boards where locals want to learn languages (mostly English). Attend these events, or find a language exchange partner.
You might even find someone who can take you to local events, dinner, or drinking with their buddies. So if you do there, you’re likely to make some local friends. Who knows, the first meet up can lead to long-lasting friendships!

Websites such as www.expat.com and expatexchange.com are good places to find a language exchange partner.

Volunteer

One of the benefits of volunteering in Vietnam is that volunteers can work with friendly communities. Volunteering opportunities include education, teaching English, animal aid and orphanages, and much more.
The impact on the local communities can be unforgettable and a truly rewarding experience! While volunteering you’ll get to work with locals and other like-minded people.

You can easily find a volunteering role at these sites such as freevolunteering.net and oneworld 365

We sincerely hope this has given you ideas on how to connect with locals and have meaningful travel experiences. Hopefully, you desire to get more out of your travels than just ticking off your travel list! For every photo you take will tell a story of all the memorable connections you’ll have made in Vietnam, including the people you will meet along the way. So, will you decide to meet locals on your next trip for a better cultural experience?