I still remember the pho at Phu Vuong in Ho Chi Minh City. It was perfect: fragrant, balanced, elegant, rich, punctuated with bean sprouts and herbs.
The aroma of pho, a distinctive scent mixed with motorbike exhaust and the humid Saigon air, still lingers in my mind, making me want to eat it again. I must eat it.
This is what makes Vietnam special. It stays with you. It draws you back. I have been visiting the country for over 20 years now (one of my first emails was to a guesthouse in Hanoi ) and I have never once felt bored, or even thought I would not return.
The smell of pho makes tourists always want to return to Vietnam.
PHOTO: GETTY
Because I will come back, not just for the pho at Pho Phu Vuong, but for many other reasons too. For the misty highlands and culture of Sa Pa, in the far north; for the narrow streets and hustle and bustle of Hanoi; for the beauty of Ha Long Bay, the simple joys and freedom of exploring the Mekong Delta, the wonderful moments on the beaches of Nha Trang, the cool relaxation of Da Lat.
I’m not the only one who has noticed this. Vietnam is now one of the fastest growing destinations for Australian tourists, a country we are quickly becoming fascinated with.
There are many countries in the world that Australian tourists love, such as Japan, because it offers a cultural immersion that you can’t find anywhere else. Vietnam is the same, but with an added sense of unpredictability.
We love Japan for its diversity of places, from mountains, beaches, lakes to big cities. Same goes for Vietnam.
And many Australians travel to Japan for the food, which you can and should do in Vietnam. The food scene in this country is diverse and incredibly accessible, both in terms of price and style.
Explore Sa Pa by motorbike
PHOTO: GETTY
Much of what we love – and what I love – about Japan, a country that has seen a huge increase in Australian tourism over the past decade or so, can also be found in Vietnam, and often at a fraction of the price. All the things you might not be able to afford in another country (in Europe, the US or even some parts of Asia), you can do in Vietnam.
And there is so much more to love here, so much to justify this passion. Vietnam offers a raw thrill that you can’t find in many other places.
One of the best travel experiences of my life was riding a motorbike around the Mekong Delta, stopping at roadside cafes for Vietnamese iced coffee, stopping in small towns for banh xeo (crispy pancakes filled with pork and seafood) for lunch, staying overnight at budget guesthouses and eating pho for breakfast at local markets.
Another great thing about Vietnam is that you can experience and explore different sides, different styles of travel, and they are all wonderful. You can eat snails and drink beer at an outdoor restaurant one night, then visit a fancy bar with great cocktails the next day. Or do it all in one night.
The wild beauty of the rivers of the West
PHOTO: ISTOCK
Vietnam also offers a unique joy that you can’t find elsewhere: you meet so many people, you see their lives and they see yours, in a balanced and natural way. Vietnam’s cities are dynamic and exciting, filled with young people doing business, studying, riding motorbikes, eating and having fun.
I don’t think the growing interest of Australians in Vietnam will wane any time soon. In fact, I think it will only increase. Many first-time visitors will understand that Vietnam values return visits, and that they will become easier and more convenient.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ly-do-khien-du-khach-nguoi-uc-nay-quay-lai-viet-nam-trong-suot-20-nam-185251125144246978.htm
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