15 Interesting Facts About VietnamWhip up your interest in visiting this amazing country with these 15 fun facts about Vietnam.
- The motorcycle is the main means of transportation.
In most countries, cars and public transport are the most common way to get around, but not here. There are over 45 million registered motorcycles in the country, meaning that almost half of the population owns a motorcycle! This is also one of the reasons for the slightly “chaotic” traffic, which is not so chaotic once you get to the bottom of it.
The roads are full of motorbikes, which can be intimidating when you're trying to cross the road. But Vietnamese road etiquette is that you just walk and the cars move out of the way.
- Vietnam is the world's largest exporter of black pepper, producing about a third of the world's total.
- According to ancient Vietnamese folklore, the Vietnamese are descendants of dragons. Therefore, the dragon is a mythical figure that the Vietnamese worship. It is also believed that the dragon brings rain, which is necessary for cultivating the country's vast agricultural lands.
- Vietnam has over 2 miles of coastline!
- Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam, and indeed in all of Indochina. It is 3143 meters high and is nicknamed the "roof of Indochina."
- About 16% of the world's species live in Vietnam, indicating a high level of biodiversity.
- Vietnam's food philosophy is based on five elements: spicy (metal), sour (wood), bitter (fire), salty (water), and sweet (earth). The perfect dish should contain the perfect balance of all these elements, which perhaps explains why Vietnamese cuisine has become a global trend.
- Vietnam is the world's largest exporter of cashew nuts, accounting for 353 tons sold for US$000 billion annually.
- The turtle is an important symbol in Vietnamese society. The Vietnamese are believed to symbolize intelligence, strength and longevity, and the turtle is associated with victories and independence after an influx of invaders at different points in history.
- The Vietnamese have a distinctive value system based on four areas: loyalty to family, the pursuit of a “good name” recognized by others, love of learning, and respect for others.
- Vietnam is the second largest coffee exporter in the world, behind only Brazil. Although the Vietnamese export most of their produce, coffee production has made them a nation of coffee lovers. The typical way to drink coffee in Vietnam is hot or cold with sweetened condensed milk, as fresh milk is traditionally more difficult to store in the tropical climate.
- Vietnam's first president and prime minister, Ho Chi Minh or "Uncle Ho," died in 1969. His body was embalmed and remains in a mausoleum.
- Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, is the biggest celebration of the year, celebrated by 92 million people in Vietnam and 3 million Vietnamese living abroad.
- The hot springs in Binh Chau are hot enough to boil eggs! Many vendors sell eggs on site to prove it.
- Vietnam is a country of football lovers. In a survey, 80% of Vietnamese said they would rather watch the World Cup than go to work!
