UNCOVERING VIETNAM’S UNDISCOVERED STAYS & LOCAL COMMUNITIES
When you work remotely, you have the great luxury of being able to settle down and live anywhere in the world. It depends on the nature of your work, of course, but usually, as long as you have your laptop and a stable internet connection, the world is your oyster!
Unlike a vacation, where a short timeline and an imminent return to work pressures you to stick to tourist destinations and guaranteed highlights, digital nomads get to take their time and actually live and work in the places they go. With this ability to explore a new country over a longer period of time, it’s only natural that many digital nomads will want to wander off the beaten path and visit some places that tourists don’t normally see.
Let’s explore some of these types of places in Vietnam. Scenically beautiful, sporting Buddhist pagodas, pulsing cities, and peaceful beaches and rivers, Vietnam also offers some fascinating (if dark) history in the form of war museums and the Cu Chi tunnels once used by Viet Cong soldiers.
These attractions alone are enough to fill the time of ambitious vacationers, but someone who is staying in Vietnam to work and live may want to see what Vietnam has to offer that is more for locals than tourists. Read on for a few suggestions of how and where to uncover these undiscovered stays and local communities:
Research Off-The-Beaten-Path Destinations
The first step is a simple one, but often overlooked when traveling anywhere: prior research! If you do a bit of learning in advance, you’re bound to have a few places to visit on your list before you even leave for Vietnam.
A great place to start your research is with some sort of a Vietnam-specific travel forum, like these ones here and here. With posts as recent as today, people are accessing the forums to research all kinds of topics, such as how to hire a private guide, the best times of year to visit, restaurant recommendations, and advice on finding clothing in Vietnam that fits properly.
A lot of the posts could be gold mines for anyone looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination. Many people have posted the timeframe and specific areas that they’ll be visiting and asked for advice on what to see. If you explore these conversation threads, you’re bound to find a few suggestions that you’ve likely never heard of before.
Locals and experienced travelers alike tend to chime in, so there’ll be plenty of different perspectives to explore. Be patient, and be sure to leave some time before you go to explore these channels. Chances are, they’ll have some great info for you!
Connect With Locals
Usually, the best way to find an undiscovered spot in a local community is to allow yourself to be taken there by a local. This is, without a doubt, one of the most fun parts of traveling: making new friends! Be open and friendly, and try your best to start conversations with locals whenever you can (without being a pest, of course).
The fact of the matter is, the people who have the deepest knowledge of a place are always going to be the people who live there. If you can become close enough with any local people that you feel comfortable asking them where their favorite restaurant, bar, or other hangout spot is, you’re likely to have an experience unlike that of any other visitor to the country.
Social media is obviously very helpful in connecting us with people in your area, and you’ll probably have some luck making friends by looking in a Vietnam-specific Facebook group, such as Vietnam Is Awesome or “Welcome to Vietnam.” If you post that you’re looking for new friends or guides to show you around, you’re likely to have many people message you for a meet-up.
Another great way to immerse yourself in the local community is to try to stay in homestays or guesthouses run by locals. There’s no better way to feel like part of the community you’re living in than to live with the people who live there, eat what they eat, and hear their stories. You’re also bound to have a completely unique experience from other Vietnam travelers, all dependent on the type of people who run your homestay.
Use Local Transportation
Everyone likes to navigate their surroundings differently, of course, but those who choose to use local transportation when visiting Vietnam are bound to feel especially immersed in the life of the country around them.
Perhaps you’ll opt to use the bus system, which is said to have great connectivity in Hanoi. The routes are not as well-connected in other cities like Ho Chi Minh City, but they do exist. Maybe you’re hoping to get some exercise while you travel, and so renting a bicycle or walking is more your style. Or, you could take one of the Cyclo (3 wheeled-bicycle) or Xe Om (moped) taxi rides that are famous in Vietnam.
In any case, you’re not only opening yourself up to a more authentic view of Vietnam, you’ll also be supporting local businesses. It’s a win-win!
Learn Basic Vietnamese Phrases
Learning just a few simple Vietnamese phrases can have a massive impact on your trip. Taking just a small amount of time to learn a bit about the local language shows respect for Vietnamese people and their culture. It’s likely that your efforts will help ingratiate you with them.
A great place to start is with language-learning apps like Duolingo or by hiring an online tutor to help you with the finer details of Vietnamese. You’ll learn the most by practicing, however, so as soon as you’ve got a grasp on the basics, don’t hesitate to break it out in the real world!
Something as simple as a few shared phrases in a common language can really bring you closer to the local people in Vietnam, and this will give them more of an opportunity to invite you in and show you their favorite hidden gems.
Final Word
As long as you remember to approach your travels with an open mind, respect for locals and their culture, and a willingness to embrace new experiences, you’ll be amazed by the off-the-beaten-path places you find yourself in.
Vietnam is such a popular spot that it might be hard to imagine seeing anything that other tourists haven’t seen yet, but as you immerse yourself in life there, you’re bound to meet new people and see new sights that crack your trip wide open! Enjoy!
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