Secret #1: Vietnam is still an untouched paradise.

The city center is filled with thousands of citizens hurrying about on their way, sometimes 2, 3 and 4 people to a bike, and the beaches look like they have yet to be explored by thousands of tourists. Vietnam still has that” Off-the-beaten-path” feel and its authenticity is part of its inevitable charm. If you really want to get to know a different culture, Vietnam is a great place to start, because it truly has something for everyone. If you are a beach bunny you can lounge in the coconut-tree lined Caribbean-like beaches of  Nha Trang while gazing at the clear calm waters of the South China Sea and soaking up the sun. The history buff can explore the remains of the Vietnam War, Palaces, Tombs and Museums, and the adventure seeker can kayak in Halong Bay, raft on the Mekong river and rock climb on Catba Island.   The hospitality of the Vietnamese people, immense cultural history and experiences, palatable food and gorgeous landscape will forever make an impact on your travel experiences.

Secret #2:  Your money goes a looooong way in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese money is called the Dong. As of this posting, $1.00 USD = 19,095 Dong. A dinner for 4 is equivalent to about $6.00 USD and a decent hotel in the city will set you back about $25.00 USD. Even in this economy, traveling to Vietnam is a steal.

Secret #3: Vietnamese food is extremely fresh and healthy.

The delectable delights focus on fresh produce, noodles, rice, fish and meats. The meats and fish are usually grilled or broiled. Some popular Vietnamese dishes include Pho (Noodle soup with clear broth, boiled meat and spices), Summer Rolls (Rice paper filled with shrimp, pork, rice vermicelli and herbs and dipped in sauce) and Bahn Mi Thit (French baguette filled with cold cuts, Vietnamese mayonnaise, pate, pickled daikon, pickled carrot and cucumber slices. It can be dressed with herbs, pepper and coriander leaves). Vietnamese food plays with several different sauces to add a distinct flair to the cuisine; don’t be surprises to find fish sauce, soy sauce, shrimp paste, hoisin sauce or hot chili sauce present at many meals.   Interesting fruits that can only be found in this part of the world include the Green Dragon, Chinese Grapefruit and Rambutan (officially nicknamed the “hairy cherry”).