9 Reasons Why Vietnam Is the New Thailand

The Food

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its fusion of flavors from many cultures: Take, for instance, the ubiquitous banh mi sandwiches, served on French baguettes but with traditional Vietnamese fillings such as pork belly, pate, fried eggs, tofu, or fresh vegetables. The country's vast Buddhist population benefits vegetarian travelers, who will be able to find fake meat (usually made with tofu or seitan) at most restaurants. There's also the famous pho noodle soup, sticky rice, steamed buns, and fresh rolls … we could go on forever.

Related: Truly Authentic Cultural Food Experiences Around the World

It's 3 Destinations in 1

Vietnam stretches over 2,000 miles of coastline, and can feel like three different countries. Vietnam's distinct regions (north, central, and south) can all have varied climates during the same time of year—for example, it could be snowing in the far north mountains, while the far south experiences temperatures close to 90 degrees. Each area has its own unique scenery as well, from the mountains and bays in North Vietnam to the farmlands of Central Vietnam and the deltas of South Vietnam.

The People

Everywhere we went on our trip to Vietnam we were greeted by friendly locals who were happy to help travelers without expecting anything in return. The hospitality you'll find here is worth checking out. Unlike in many other tourist destinations, we found that sellers here really will take your first "no" as an answer—you can shop without high pressure or hassle.

The Language

We're firm believers that you should always try to learn some key phrases in a foreign language before you visit a new, non-English-speaking country. But in case you're intimidated by the tough-to-master, tonal Vietnamese, you can be comforted by the fact that many people in Vietnam speak English. In fact, English is now taught to all public school students starting in the third grade. Locals are happy to converse with you in English but a few simple words or phrases like "xin chao" (hello) and "cam on" (thank you) in Vietnamese will go a long way.

It's Pretty Cheap To Get There

We found round-trip flights from New York City to Ho Chi Minh City in the $700s throughout the rest of the year. Not bad for a destination that's about 20 hours away. It's even cheaper from the West Coast: Fares are currently at a low of $680 round-trip for many dates in 2015.

It's Really Inexpensive When You're There

We traveled to Vietnam on Friendly Planet's Taste of Vietnam Tour, which starts at $1,699 (our trip was compliments of Friendly Planet). This included seven nights of luxury hotels, eight meals, entrance fees, all ground transportation, international and domestic flights, and the services of English-speaking tour guides. Needless to say, things are cheap in Vietnam. At the time of writing, one US dollar was worth 21,815 Vietnamese dong according to xe.com. Your money will go very far in Vietnam.

Multiple course meals with alcohol cost less than $10 per person, and you can stay at five-star hotels for under $70 a night. If you're more of a budget traveler, you could easily do Vietnam on less than $20 a day. (A refreshing beer will cost you less than a dollar!)

Related: 10 Places You Should Go While They're Still Cheap

Amazing Sites

Vietnam has eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including natural beauties like Ha Long Bay or Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, or more cultural areas such as Ho An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary. If you visit during shoulder season, many of these hot spots will be almost devoid of tourists. We visited in late March, and saw less than 10 other boats when we sailed on the world-famous Ha Long Bay. Vietnam has so many cool places to see and some have gone undiscovered—like Son Doong Cave, which is the world's biggest cave, yet wasn't explored until 2012.

History

If you're a history buff, you should know that Vietnam doesn't shy away from its past. The War Remnants Museum, the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, and the Cu Chi Tunnels tours all give a no-holds-barred look back to the Vietnam War. You will definitely get a different perspective on the war than you may have learned in school, with displays showing how the Vietnamese lived during this time.

Cultural Diversity

Vietnam is a wildly diverse country. When you travel from the north to the south, you'll feel like you're crossing international borders every time you travel a few hours. In fact, Vietnam is the most culturally diverse country in Southeast Asia—it's home to over 50 different ethnic groups, each of whom speak their own language.

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