A Guide To Local Experience

Like many people, I seek inspiration in others’ wise words. One of my favourites is “Only the open minded get to experience the world from many perspectives”. It constantly reminds me that it’s never too late to go out of my comfort zone and meet someone whose belief, customs, etc. are very different from mine.

In travel, it can be truly inspiring and motivate you to embrace the cultural differences. Authentic experience comes from the local connection. It is all about opening your mind, beyond what is comfortable and you will be rewarded. If you are planning to Vietnam for the first time and want to explore our cultures, just make sure you have one of these things (or all) down below in your itineraries.

Hop on a bicycle or use your own two feet

As you control of your drive, you can slower your pace and enjoy high chance to make friends along the way, drop by local neighbourhoods that you would normally miss in a taxi or a tour van. It also reduces your carbon footprint and noise in your travel. Finally it’s our favourite way to get off beaten track to remote areas.

Go for homestay

If you are considering accommodation for your trip to Vietnam, choose homestay over hotel and you will never have to regret it. Homestay can be found throughout Vietnam with basic standard, but the opportunities are endless such as learning about the locals’ lives, drinking homemade rice wine and locally produced foods, dancing in the rhythm of traditional songs.

Welcome flowers by the host

If you are interested in cooking and gardening like me, don’t hesitate to roll up your sleeves and offer your host a help. This is how you flow in the rhythm of their lives. If you are kind of a laid back person, don’t worry, each region has their own way of enjoying slow life. You can enjoy traditional herbal bath, resting in a hammocks or pedal lazily along the road while contemplating the village life. Nothing’s fancy, only warm hearted people who will always share everything with their guests.

Pick your destinations, activities  

We encourage everyone to venture out of the city when they travel to visit smaller destinations. Making you way into the countryside and finding local life experiences there. People there are friendly as they haven’t been affected by tourism industry.

Another activity is home hosted dinner which offers more chance to discover the community language, customs and traditions. When the family celebrates local festivals, you can get a chance to be part of it and experience it with them.

Eat like a local

Nothing reflects the richness in culture, history and geography of a country better than the local food. The great selection of traditional Vietnamese food differs from the North to the South and encompasses 3 main distinct cuisines. Immerse in local experiences by eating like a local and trying local specialties, even if some of them are extremely unusual to eat in your country. Western and Asian cultures are relatively different. Don’t be put off by their names or what they look like. It can be addicted or not, it all starts with you. Make sure to check out our top dishes before your departure.

Hong Hanh Vu, 2012

Know the custom

Prior research before your departure about local etiquettes is also necessary to avoid unintentionally showing an irreverent behavior toward the local customs/religion. At Footprint we think of everything to make your travel as positive and inspiring as possible. Hence, we created a quick 101 guide of Do’s and Don’ts to expand your intercultural awareness:

Dos

– Use both hands when giving objects to someone
– Take off your shoes when you enter a house
– Rest your chopsticks on the table when you finished your meal
– Cover your mouth with your free hand when using a chopstick
– It is common in Vietnam to bring a present when being invited for dinner. In case you would like to bring a present please ensure that it is not white or yellow flowers (especially chrysanthemums) or something black. Common gifts are food/fruits or Western products. The Vietnamese usually don’t open their present right away but leave it for later

Don’ts

– Point your finger at someone
– Touch someone’s head
– Cross your arms in your chest or put them on your hips
– Stick your chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice (reminds of incense sticks used for the ancestors)
– Feel offended when people make noises during their meals as it is common in Vietnam
– Feel offended when one of your questions is avoided, as the Vietnamese see it as offensive to answer you directly as it could offend you

Learn Vietnamese language

Vietnamese people are very friendly and will show greater appreciation to any tourists’ effort in saying “hello”, “thanks”, “how are you”, etc. This is definitely an ice breaker for the conversation.

If language is a barrier, use your eye contact, body language to communicate and don’t forget to smile and have fun.