Why Vietnam Should Be On your Bucket List

“Going to Vietnam the first time was life-changing for sure; maybe because it was all so new and different to my life before and the world I grew up in. The food, culture, landscape, and smell; they’re all inseparable. It just seemed like another planet; a delicious one that sort of sucked me in and never let go.” 

Anthony Bourdain shared his love for the cuisine and culture of Vietnam over seven episodes of his popular TV shows. You can see the full list of  Bourdain’s TV show filmed in Vietnam here. 

After a misspent youth in the restaurant kitchens of New York and finding success with his tell-all “Kitchen Confidential,” Bourdain was given the budget and freedom to just place his finger on a map and say “Let’s go there!” 

So why did he choose to return again and again to Vietnam?

Vietnam is one of those not-to-be-missed travel destinations. Like going to Rwanda to see the gorillas, or Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world. Nobody had a better nose for a good story and a great meal than Tony, rest his soul. Great food may have kept him coming back, but the natural beauty, the stories and the warm welcome of the Vietnamese people (particularly to Americans) made us want to go there, too, at least once!

We asked NextTriber Janet Siroto to investigate Vietnam’s  Best Places to Visit and if you read it you will see why we’ve added Vietnam as one of our new international destinations this year.

There’s so much to love about Vietnam, but food—particularly seafood— is usually at the top of every traveler’s list. Traditional Vietnamese dishes are naturally gluten free, low in sugar, and incorporate the 5 elements of sweet, sour, spicy, salty and umami. The French influence is apparent in the presentation and setting, but Vietnamese cuisine has a long and storied history, and Vietnam is a mecca for foodies. Here’s a short video that will probably make you very hungry. 

It’s almost 50 years since the Vietnam war ended. Boomers may wonder why anyone would travel to a place so many of our peers tried to avoid in the 60s and 70s. Today, the war years seem a distant memory since so many Americans have made the journey, and so many Vietnamese have immigrated to the US with their families, as students, and as entrepreneurs.

The Vietnamese Heritage Museum honored actress Tippi Hedren for helping Vietnamese immigrants build a better life in the US by opening nail salons, starting in California. Now there are salons owned by Vietnamese all over the United States. For a lot of us, restaurants and nail salons have been our only exposure to the language and culture of Vietnam. But tacos and ceviche and quiche don’t mean you know the cuisines and cultures of Mexico, Peru, and France. You’ve got to be there to immerse yourself, and have a fuller understanding of the place and people.

NextTribe is taking a small group of women to Vietnam in November, with a plan to visit Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, and a two-night cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay.

Our itinerary begins with cocktails on the rooftop of a beautiful boutique hotel, followed by a street food tour of Hanoi. The government has wisely preserved much of the old world charm and natural beauty even as the economy has modernized and started welcoming tourists. They are also encouraging US universities to partner with local academic institutions to bring US students to Vietnam. The startup scene is robust, and manufacturing for export has moved beyond garments and food to electronics and household goods. The dollar is strong, and US travelers could easily fill their suitcases with beautiful silk garments, pearls, musical instruments,and coffee. 

Pottery is one of the most ancient practical and decorative art forms, practiced with a variety of techniques all over the world. Vietnam has its own style and story, and you can read about it in The Hidden History of Vietnamese Ceramics.

Many more adventures await on our trip to Vietnam and even though the trip is 9 months away, women are already booking it. We’re keeping the group small, so if Vietnam is on your personal bucket list, we hope you’ll come along!  

Chân thành cảm ơn (Thank you.)