Read the authentic experience of contributor Ivana Grešlíková.
When I first saw an older Vietnamese in my pajamas to cup into the store through the road, I thought he was home to know the shop assistant, and just went to buy something. But when I saw dozens of other women in my pajamas, I realized that this was no longer a coincidence.
Vietnamese (especially the older generation) will be seen in pants pajama dotted and flower gowns named dump On a bike, at the post office, on the bench in front of the house, in the park, and stand in a row for a sandwich bread.
Pajama fashion appeared in Vietnam in about the 1990s, and it seems that it was not just a temporary trend. It is still comfortable and especially practical for older women. It protects them from the sharp sun throughout the day.
Free
From a distance, this may look like numerical street art, but sprayed numbers on the walls of Vietnamese streets are actually telephone numbers for plumbers, brokers and most often for demolition services.
A practical trick to let yourself know about yourself and not worry about how long the poster has been kept in 90 % of the humidity.
War retro fashion
The Vietnamese war ended fifty years ago, but even today it is not easy to start an interview on this topic with the locals who remember it.
On the contrary, young people perceive the conflict as an ancient past, and even one that can be benefited from. Especially in Hanoi you will see numerous souvenir stalls and clothing that are associated with fights.
CộNG Cafe, which has more than fifty branches across the country, has also decided to earn a retro war atmosphere. Interior made of dark wood, period black and white photographs and posters of propaganda. Barists are dressed in war green and coffee is also served in aluminum tin mugs. Cộng cafe has a style. And also excellent coffee.
Cans, garbage, napkins – under the table!
The first thing you will hit your eyes when visiting Vietnam will be miniature plastic chairs at the street food stalls. It doesn’t matter how old you are and how tall you are. To put on the chair so you can slip fresh soup and drink it with ice tea is one of the greatest gastro pleasures in Vietnam.
What our European eye is no longer pleased with the garbage under the table. Although the tables that bring you food are occasionally small waste bins, Vietnamese used a paper handkerchief, a chinese stick cover or an empty can from beer prefer to throw right under your feet.
After lunch peaks, there is a “carpet” dotted with garbage in the street stalls, which the vendors will continue to work until another wave of hungry customers comes.
Street barbers
You can find them in the streets and parks from north to south. The street barbers have been one of the Vietnamese color since the 18th century. Today, most of them are retired soldiers, but there are also young hairdressers who continue tradition. In addition to clever hands, razors and scissors, only two things need a successful business. A wall or tree where they would hang a mirror and chair for the customer.
If beer, then everyone
If you invite you to beer in Vietnam in the evening, I recommend that you come on time. It is customary in the country that if you come later, you have to catch up with friends or colleagues in the amount of alcohol drinking. Otherwise, you will not have fun as much as others.
And one more important rule. If a party host or first of a group of friends orders whiskey, everyone will order the same according to the unwritten rule. If he orders a beer, beer is drunk. Cohesion at parties is a big thing in Vietnam.
Slavik in a cage
They hang on balconies, cafes, in the waiting room with the doctor and the home sometimes go to the park in the morning. Singing birds are on course. Since housing cells are quite limited, the Vietnamese cannot afford pets. The bird in the cage does not take up much space, it does not need as much attention as a cat or a dog and eats little.
In addition to the singer, the decorated cage in which it holds it is also important. It is made of bamboo, wood bread or fig tree. You can even see the whole production process in Vac near Hanoi.
Nap at any time, anywhere
Putting a nap in our country means most often to fit on the couch, bed or a blanket. In Vietnam, they do not worry with the rest area. The guys take a nap on the bench, on a motorcycle or in the bus storage. They even have a special name for midday rest – Giấc NGủ Trưa.
Rest in a white day in Vietnam happens similarly to the southern European countries for a simple reason. The home people want to avoid the most ambiguous sun, and gain strength to the second half of the day.
Vietnam streets are full of similar cultural nuances. The good news is that the home are incredibly curious, open and talkative, which simplifies the travelers’ acclimatization process in the new environment, and to understand at first glance nonsensical habits.
Who is Ivana Grešlíková
Ivana Grešlíková has been on the road since 2006. She has lived in Asia and Bulgaria for a long time, currently operating in Thailand. Blogging on. The author of the Book of Travels, where she focuses on less discussed topics of popular destinations in Asia and Europe. You can watch her roads on or.
