Vietnam is a beautiful country in Southeast Asia, known for its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and unique culture. However, Vietnam is also a land of surprises, with many interesting and funny facts that may surprise you. In this article, we will explore some of the most entertaining and hilarious facts about Vietnam that you may not have known before.
Funny Facts About Vietnam
Motorbikes Not Just For Transportation In Vietnam
In Vietnam, motorbikes dominate as the most popular mode of transportation, filling the streets. It’s common to see families of four or five riding on a single motorbike, and one can even hail motorbike taxis on the street. The traffic can be chaotic, but it’s all part of the experience.
You Can Find A Whole Roasted Pig On The Streets In Vietnam
it’s not unusual to see a whole roasted pig being sold on the side of the street. This may seem bizarre to foreigners, but for locals, it’s just another delicious meal option.
Image source: Instagram @amavietnam.blog
Vietnam Has A Unique Way Of Playing Tug-of-War
Tug-of-war is a popular game in Vietnam, but instead of using a rope, they use a bamboo pole. Two teams hold the pole and try to pull it from each other, and the team that manages to pull the pole past a certain point wins.
The Infamous “Traffic Dance”
While Vietnam’s traffic can be chaotic, locals have developed a unique way of navigating it called the “traffic dance.” This involves weaving in and out of traffic with precision and grace, almost like a dance. It’s quite a sight to see and can be quite amusing.
The Use Of Emojis In Everyday Conversations
Vietnamese people love to use emojis in their everyday conversations, and it’s not uncommon to see people sending messages consisting entirely of emojis. They even have their own set of Vietnamese emojis, featuring popular local dishes like Banh Mi and Pho.
Egg Coffee Is A Thing
Egg coffee, a unique Vietnamese coffee drink made with egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk, is a popular drink in Vietnam. It may sound odd, but it’s surprisingly delicious, and it’s definitely worth trying when visiting Vietnam.
Interesting And Funny Facts About Vietnam
- Many foreigners mispronounce the popular Vietnamese noodle soup “Pho” as “foe” when it should actually be pronounced as “fuh.” Locals find it hilarious when foreigners order a bowl of “foe.”
- Karaoke is a beloved pastime in Vietnam, and you’ll find karaoke bars on almost every street corner. It’s not unusual to see people singing their hearts out in public places, including on the streets.
- Vietnamese people love their ice cream, and you can find some unusual flavors that you might not see elsewhere, such as durian, sweet corn, and even fish sauce.
- Vietnamese people love puns and wordplay, and it’s not unusual for people to create puns on the spot during conversations. Even businesses often use puns in their names to make them more memorable and catchy.
- In Vietnam, there’s a traditional practice called “xem trung” or “egg reading,” where a fortune teller cracks an egg into a glass of water and reads the shapes and patterns formed by the egg whites to predict the person’s future.
- In Vietnam, everyone turns one year older on Tet (Lunar New Year) instead of their actual birthdate. This means that everyone in Vietnam has the same birthday and age together.
- Vietnamese people have a different way of counting using their hands. Instead of starting with their thumb as “one,” they start with their pinky finger. So, for example, the number six would be represented by the thumb and the pinky finger together.
- In Vietnam, people commonly haggle and expect customers to negotiate the price of goods and services when making a purchase. Even locals will haggle when buying things like groceries or household items.
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Surprising Funny Facts About Vietnam
Image source: Instagram @vietnamtravelaway
- Vietnamese people have a unique sense of humor that often involves wordplay and puns. Jokes often base themselves on misunderstandings or double meanings, and a well-timed joke can lighten even serious situations.
- Vietnam celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is also referred to as “Tet Trung Thu. It’s a celebration for children and involves lanterns, mooncakes, and parades.
- Vietnamese people are avid users of social media, with Facebook being the most popular platform. It’s not uncommon to see people taking selfies and photos for their social media profiles while out and about. In fact, some cafes and restaurants even have designated areas for people to take photos for social media.
- Vietnamese people are known for their creative solutions to transportation problems. For example, during flooding, people may use inflatable pools or inner tubes to float down the street or use boats to navigate flooded areas. Their ingenuity and resourcefulness are evidenced by this.
- Vietnamese people are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and clever business strategies. From mobile food vendors to street-side barbershops, there’s no shortage of creative ways that people to make a living in Vietnam. It’s a testament to their resourcefulness and ability to adapt to their environment.
Fun Facts About Vietnam
- Vietnam is the 15th most populous country in the world, with a population of approximately 98 million people.
- The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese, which uses the Latin alphabet with accent marks.
- Vietnam is famous for its delicious cuisine, which includes dishes such as pho (noodle soup), banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), and spring rolls.
- The dong is the Vietnamese currency, and it ranks as one of the least valuable currencies in the world.
- Vietnam has a diverse landscape that includes mountains, beaches, rivers, and rice paddies.
- The traditional dress of Vietnam is the ao dai, a long, flowing tunic worn over pants.
- Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is the largest city.
- The Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet, is the country’s most important holiday and usually falls in January or February.
- The Vietnamese flag has a red background with a yellow star in the center and a red banner with the word “Vietnam” written in yellow letters.
- Southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta produces much of the rice consumed in Vietnam and exported around the world, earning its reputation as the “rice bowl” of the country.
- Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, after Brazil.
- The Ho Chi Minh Trail, a network of roads and paths used by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War, is now a popular tourist attraction.
- Vietnam is home to the world’s largest cave, Son Doong, which stretches over 5.5 miles and is over 650 feet tall.
- Vietnam has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to around 500,000 BC.
- Vietnamese people often have a middle name, which indicates their generation or birth order within the family.