Rickshaw Travel

ABTAATOL Protected

  • Destinations
  • Family holidays
  • Travel guides
  • About us
  • Blog
My Travel Plan
Loading...

Your travel plan is empty!

Add your favourite trips or an itinerary to your travel plan. Click on 'My Travel Plan' to see what you've added and send it to us. Our travel specialists will piece your holiday together (including transport & accommodation) and send you a quote within one working day.

Get started!

Added so far...

We'll create your dream holiday

    Next, review & send us your travel plan for your quote

    Request your quote

    Or view/email a copy of your travel plan

    View your travel plan
     Your next steps

    1. Add your favourite trips or an itinerary to your travel plan
    2. Click the Request your quote button to send it over to us
    3. Our travel specialists will piece your holiday together (including transport & accommodation) and send you a quote within one working day

     Your next steps

    1. Add your favourite trips or an itinerary to your travel plan
    2. Click the Request your quote button to send it over to us
    3. Our travel specialists will piece your holiday together (including transport & accommodation) and send you a quote within one working day

    • Destinations
      • Asia
        • Bhutan
        • China
        • India
        • Japan
        • Nepal
        • Sri Lanka
        • Tibet
      • South East Asia
        • Borneo
        • Cambodia
        • Indonesia
        • Laos
        • Malaysia
        • Myanmar
        • Thailand
        • Vietnam
      • North America
        • Canada
      • Central America
        • Belize
        • Costa Rica
        • Cuba
        • Guatemala
        • Mexico
        • Nicaragua
        • Panama
      • South America
        • Argentina
        • Bolivia
        • Brazil
        • Chile
        • Ecuador & Galapagos
        • Peru
      • View all destinations
    • Family holidays
      • Asia
        • India
        • Sri Lanka
      • South East Asia
        • Borneo
        • Cambodia
        • Indonesia
        • Thailand
        • Vietnam
      • North America
        • Canada
        • USA
      • Central America
        • Costa Rica
        • Cuba
      • South America
        • Peru
    • Travel guides
      • Travel guides by destination
        • Borneo
        • Canada
        • Costa Rica
        • Cuba
        • Ecuador
        • Galapagos
        • India
        • Indonesia
        • Japan
        • Peru
        • Sri Lanka
        • Vietnam
      • Family Holiday Guides
        • Borneo
        • Canada
        • Costa Rica
        • Cuba
        • India
        • Indonesia
        • Malaysia
        • Peru
        • Sri Lanka
        • Thailand
        • USA
        • Vietnam
      • Inspiration
        • Beaches
        • City stopovers
        • Diving and snorkelling
        • Food & drink
        • Honeymoons
        • Self drive
        • Trekking
        • Unique experiences
        • Wildlife & safari
      • Where to Go When
        • January
        • February
        • March
        • April
        • May
        • June
        • July
        • August
        • September
        • October
        • November
        • December
    • About us
      • Discover more
        • Our values
        • Meet the team
        • How we work
        • Work with us
        • Customer reviews
        • In the news
        • Contact us
      • Responsible travel
        • Responsible travel
        • Animal welfare
        • Local projects
        • Our Responsible Travel Policy
        • How to be a responsible traveller
      • Travel Advice
        • Accommodation
        • Covid-19
        • Flights
        • Honeymoon Gift Service
        • LGBTQ+ travellers
        • Refer a Friend
        • Travel insurance
        • Visas & passports
    • Blog
    AsiaSouth East AsiaNorth AmericaCentral AmericaSouth AmericaView all destinations
    BhutanChinaIndiaJapanNepalSri LankaTibet
    BorneoCambodiaIndonesiaLaosMalaysiaMyanmarThailandVietnam
    Canada
    BelizeCosta RicaCubaGuatemalaMexicoNicaraguaPanama
    ArgentinaBoliviaBrazilChileEcuador & GalapagosPeru
     
     
    AsiaSouth East AsiaNorth AmericaCentral AmericaSouth America
    IndiaSri Lanka
     
    BorneoCambodiaIndonesiaThailandVietnam
     
    CanadaUSA
     
    Costa RicaCuba
     
    Peru
     
    Travel guides by destinationFamily Holiday GuidesInspirationWhere to Go When
    • Borneo
    • Canada
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • Ecuador
    • Galapagos
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Peru
    • Sri Lanka
    • Vietnam
    • Borneo
    • Canada
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Malaysia
    • Peru
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
    • USA
    BeachesCity stopoversDiving and snorkellingFood & drinkHoneymoonsSelf driveTrekkingUnique experiencesWildlife & safari
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
    Discover moreResponsible travelTravel Advice
    Our valuesMeet the teamHow we workWork with usCustomer reviewsIn the newsContact us
    Responsible travelAnimal welfareLocal projectsOur Responsible Travel PolicyHow to be a responsible traveller
    AccommodationCovid-19FlightsHoneymoon Gift ServiceLGBTQ+ travellersRefer a FriendTravel insuranceVisas & passports

    Rickshaw Ramblings

    • Browse by Destination
    • Argentina
    • Bhutan
    • Bolivia
    • Borneo
    • Borneo for Families
    • Brazil
    • Brighton
    • Cambodia
    • Cambodia for Families
    • Canada
    • Canada for Families
    • Chile
    • China
    • Costa Rica
    • Costa Rica for Families
    • Cuba
    • Ecuador & Galapagos
    • Family
    • India
    • Indochina
    • Indonesia
    • Indonesia for Families
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Mexico
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Nicaragua
    • Panama
    • Peru
    • Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka for Families
    • Thailand
    • Tibet
    • USA for families
    • Vietnam
    • Vietnam for Families
    • Browse by Theme
    • 24 hours in...
    • Competition
    • Cultural
    • Customers stories
    • Family travel
    • Food and drink
    • Friends of Rickshaw
    • History
    • Responsible travel
    • Top tips
    • Wellness
    • Wildlife

    12th December 2016 by Friends of Rickshaw • 5 min read

    5 strange facts about Vietnam

    info-btn Top tips pin Vietnam

    Share:

    Borneo_Jungle_Kinabatangan_River

    Speak to our Vietnam specialist!

    Enquire now

    It’s fair to say that Vietnam’s notable history has been largely dominated by headlines of war and oppression. In Vietnam, they say that they were dominated by the Chinese for 1000 years, the French for 100 years and the Americans for 10 years. So it’s any wonder how they have managed to keep such strong and prevalent culture and rituals. If you’re getting geared up for a Vietnam holiday or simply want to boost your knowledge of the country, here are some of the lighter facts about Vietnam:

    1. Ho Chi Minh’s body is on display

    Ho Chi Minh (known affectionately as ‘Uncle Ho’) travels 8000 miles every year. This is only peculiar because he has been dead for over 40 years now. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is a strange and interesting place to visit on your travels in Vietnam. His body is on show for the world to see for only 9 months of the year. The Mausoleum is usually closed from September to December as Uncle Ho makes his annual journey to Moscow for ‘maintenance’ (although there are some conspiracy theories about if it is the real Hi Chi Minh). Not bad for someone whose dying wish was to be cremated…

    See him for yourself in Hanoi!

    2. They have their own sport

    Sepak takraw (A.K.A calameae ball or kick volleyball), is a traditional sport in Vietnam. The sport originated in the 15th-century in Malaysia, with its first mention being from an ancient text in Malacca (and the sport supposedly came from an accident during a Sepak raga game, that got pretty ugly…!). In this sport, a ball is passed from player to player by hitting it with the head and feet (it’s pretty intense..). Sepak takraw also is widely played in Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.

    3. Motorbikes cover the roads

    There are an estimated 7.4 million motorbikes on the roads of Ho Chi Minh City alone, and that number is climbing every year (with an estimated 45 million country-wide). That means that there is a motorbike for every other person in Vietnam (that’s a lot of bikes..!). In the major cities, bikes make up 90% of vehicles on the roads and yet it was only in the last 4 years that the government have made it compulsory to wear a helmet!

    Scoot through Saigon yourself!
    See Ho Chi Minh City

    4. Speed dating began here

    Speed dating might be a relatively recent fad in the west being introduced to the US in the 90s, but it has been a stable of hill tribe life in Vietnam for decades. Hill tribes from all over the northern regions around Sa Pa will meet at ‘love markets’, where the local young single people will come together with the intent of finding a mate. Giving villagers from very remote areas a chance to meet partners from other villages in a centralised place.

    5. There are different types of temples

    “Pagodas are for worship, temples are for honour.” Vietnam is less famous for its temples than neighbouring Thailand or Cambodia, but they are still a prominent part of its history and culture. But how do you tell the difference between the two during your Vietnam holiday? The Vietnamese pagoda (chua) is regarded as a place of worship where offerings are made. Conversely, the Vietnamese den (temple) is not strictly a place of worship, but more of a monument built to honour a great historical figure.

    Feeling inspired?

    Vietnam has many more wonderfully interesting and unique things to see, not to mention its lovely people. Get in touch to start putting together your own unique holiday to Vietnam.

    Trips to Vietnam
    AsiaCyclingPeopleRickshawRamblersSouthEastAsiaSportTemplesVietnam
    Image of Friends of Rickshaw

    Written by Friends of Rickshaw

    Here you can read posts from travel bloggers, chums who have previously worked with us and our local guides and drivers from across the globe.

    Comments

    Next Article

    6 Family holiday destinations with a twist

    Previous Article

    How to make the perfect cup of Chai Tea

    Other articles you may like

    Food and drink

    9 TV shows for travel enthusiasts

    20th June 2019 by Scarlet

    TV inspires us to open our minds to new experiences. We've picked our top 9 programmes that will get you ready for your next adventure.

    6 min read

    Read More - 9 TV shows for travel enthusiasts

    Great Apes & Beach Escapes | Emma’s Borneo Highlights

    20th May 2014 by Emma

    Need inspiration for your Borneo trip? Look no further, Emma is sharing her Borneo highlights and amazing photos from beaches to monkeys and everything between.

    6 min read

    Read More - Great Apes & Beach Escapes | Emma’s Borneo Highlights

    Customers stories

    Discovering the delights of Ubud, Bali | Andrew & Anthea

    26th September 2012 by Rickshaw Ramblers

    Andrew & Anthea travelled to Ubud, Bali with Rickshaw and we were lucky enough to get their wonderful travel photos and a recap of their memorable trip.

    5 min read

    Read More - Discovering the delights of Ubud, Bali | Andrew & Anthea
    Back up

    As featured in

    • the guardian logo
    • wanderlust logo red
    • Lonely Planet
    • National Geographic Traveler
    • Psychologies
    • The Daily Telegraph

    Information

    • Contact us
    • Booking conditions
    • Financial protection
    • Health and safety
    • Your Package Holiday
    • FCDO travel advice
    • Blog
    • Coronavirus updates

    Get in touch

    We're a friendly bunch and always ready for a chat so feel free to get in touch.

    Call us: 01273 322 398

    Email us: hello@rickshawtravel.co.uk

    Contact us

    Connect with us

    FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTubePinterest
    ATOL Protected ABTA Travelife

    © 2008 - 2021 | Rickshaw Travel

    Privacy Policy  |  Cookie Policy  |  Sitemap

    Call us Phone us

    Please give us your consent to use cookies

    We use cookies to ensure our website works, to give you an enhanced experience while browsing, and to enable us to use 3rd party tools that are connected to us. Read our Cookie Policy for more information.

    What are your holiday plans?

    • Our travel specialists know everything there is to know about your chosen destination. Please tell us what you're looking for below and we’ll get back to you very soon (usually within 24 hours).

    • This field is only shown to Rickshaw Admins, and is used for routing the form to the correct destination inbox
    • This field is only shown to Rickshaw Admins, and is used for routing the form to the correct destination inbox
    • If you'd prefer us to call you, please enter your phone number here
    • If you can, please share with us how many people are travelling, when you’d like to go, what you’d really like to experience, what you love doing on holidays, your rough budget, and when's best to contact you.
      By signing up to the email newsletter you consent to receive promotional emails from us. You can unsubscribe at any time. We genuinely care about you and treat your data securely and respectfully. We tell you all about it in our Privacy Policy.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.