Beautiful impressions of Vietnam tourism in the perception of an Australian writer

On May 9, The New Zealand Herald published an article by Australian writer Ben Groundwater about an Asian country that has made a strong impression on Australian tourists with its “ world’s best” food and stunning landscapes stretching from the delta lowlands to the highlands.

Also in this country, the two largest cities in the country stand out with the blend of ancient features and modern breath, a place that preserves rich traditions while transforming strongly towards a promising future. That is Vietnam.

Australian tourists have been increasingly interested in Vietnam over the past decades, said Groundwater. From 2023 to 2024, the number of Australian tourists to Vietnam increased by 35%.

The Southeast Asian nation is the ninth most popular destination for Australian tourists in 2024, with nearly 450,000 visitors to the “S-shaped strip of land.” That’s up nearly 80% from a decade ago.

According to writer Groundwater, tourists can reach Vietnam via direct flights from Australia operated by low-cost airlines such as Jetstar and Vietjet, or by traditional airlines such as Vietnam Airlines and Qantas.

Another point that impressed writer Groundwater was that Vietnam has luxury hotels and fine dining at reasonable prices - something that, according to the writer, "many people can only dream of" in Australia.

Author Ben Groundwater praises Vietnamese cuisine. (Photo: VNA)

Visitors will have a wonderful time in Vietnam, largely thanks to the friendly, open, generous, cheerful Vietnamese people who are always filled with pride for their country.

Writer Groundwater emphasized that Vietnam is also a country with a rich culture, home to many ethnic minority communities such as H'Mong, Dao, Khmer and Tay... - each group has its own cultural identity, personality and traditions.

The journey to discover Vietnam is also very rich and attractive: from the architecture to the ancient Cham towers at My Son dating back to the 4th century; the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi; to the Imperial Citadel of Hue, built in 1804 under the Nguyen Dynasty.

Then there are the traces of modern history, such as the ancient French architecture in Hanoi and Hoi An, the Cu Chi tunnels - a vast underground tunnel system used during the resistance war and the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

Writer Groundwater believes that if the purpose of travel is to enjoy cuisine, there is probably no better place than Vietnam, because the dishes are extremely rich and attractive, diverse in flavors from sweet to spicy, from delicate to strong, with fresh herbs and green vegetables, giving the dishes freshness and pure flavor.

Many Vietnamese dishes have created international brands such as pho, banh mi, bun cha, banh xeo, bun bo Hue, goi cuon… All are served at street-side eateries across the country with the price of only a few dollars per bowl.

Writer Groundwater believes that cuisine is the “breath of life” in Vietnam, a source of pride and daily joy for local people.

The writer suggests two drinks that tourists should try when coming to Vietnam. The first is coffee because Vietnam is one of the few countries with a unique coffee culture, deeply rooted in people's lives.

The second is "draft beer," a type of beer brewed daily and consumed in a very short time, with a light and refreshing taste, often served with snacks at beer halls from street stalls to specialized bars.

Groundwater writer affirms that Vietnam has many destinations that give visitors memorable experiences, such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - the intersection of tradition and modernity; Hoi An ancient town with its own unique features; cool and relaxing Da Lat; Da Nang with its combination of seaside luxury and historical relics; Hue ancient capital with its meticulously preserved Imperial Citadel; and Nha Trang with its clear blue beaches, suitable for relaxing in the sun.

Vietnam's beautiful landscapes praised in "The New Zealand Herald." (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s islands such as Phu Quoc, Nam Du, Cu Lao Cham, Ly Son… are also ideal “tropical paradises” for tourists to choose. Vietnam is a narrow country and stretches along the North-South axis with a long coastline, Vietnam is blessed with many beautiful beaches.

However, the writer believes that what makes Vietnam different from other countries is that at these beaches, tourists can easily find luxurious accommodation at reasonable prices, along with unique local cuisine.

If you want to travel to Vietnam by water, visitors can choose two main destinations: the majestic Mekong Delta in the South and Ha Long Bay in the North, along with neighboring destinations such as Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

The Mekong Delta is a great place to explore, with tourist-filled floating markets like Cai Rang (Can Tho), as well as local farmers' markets like the one in Sa Dec.

Meanwhile, Ha Long Bay impresses with its picturesque limestone cliffs, towering from the water.

Vietnam also has the famous Sa Pa - a highland surrounded by terraced fields and clouds.

Writer Groundwater said that this is an ideal place to “escape the heat,” avoid the humidity of the coastal lowlands and explore the culture of indigenous ethnic minorities. Dalat is also a highland resort chosen by many tourists.

Hotels and motels in Vietnam are luxurious yet surprisingly affordable. From lavish hotels to traditional stilt houses, all offer visitors special experiences, a sense of relaxation and complete satisfaction./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/an-tuong-dep-ve-du-lich-viet-nam-trong-cam-nhan-cua-nha-van-australia-post1037711.vnp