vietnam bridge
cross if you can
Since 2013, the port city of Da Nang has been decorated with a half kilometer bridge in the shape of a dragon – and which, in special celebrations, actually breathes fire! At night, it is illuminated with 2500 LED bulbs.
incompatible geniuses
There are statues and drawings of dragons everywhere. According to a common myth, the Vietnamese are descendants of the dragon Lac Lon Quan and the fairy Au Co. They had 100 children together, but they separated because they were like “fire and water”. Each created 50
Put the mother in the middle
Family and ancestors are very important to the people of Vietnam. So, when it comes to cursing, people don’t aim at you, but at your parents. An example is “du ma may” (send your mother to that place) and “thang cho de” (“you son of a bitch!”)
motorbike
turn to bed
Precarious public transport turned motorcycles into a consumer dream. It is common to see entire families balanced on a single scooter or even people reading the newspaper, sleeping or eating pasta lying on parked motorcycles.
Drips
drip with love
Le Mat, 7 km from the capital, Hanoi, is known as the “village of snakes”. The natives are excellent snake hunters, and restaurants use the snake in all kinds of delicacies. Some serve vodka with the reptile’s heart still beating!
elephants
Heavy weight
Every year, the region of Tây Nguyên (“central highlands”) organizes a popular elephant racing festival. They compete in groups of ten, covering up to 2 km per event. There are also tug of war, swimming and even soccer challenges.
Mummy
It’s not just in Egypt
The country has two famous mummies. The first is from Xom Cai (above) at the National History Museum. The other is from Ho Chi Minh, a communist president idolized by the people. He wanted to be cremated but is preserved in a mausoleum in Hanoi
BIZARRE STATISTICS
Fine for exceeding speed by 20 km/h:3 million dongs
Tallest building: 345 m
Online video game players:19 million
Coffee consumption per year: 2 million bags
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SOURCES Websites G1, statist, Atlas Obscura, Holidays Vietnam, Vietnam Guide, Visiting Vietnam
IMAGES Wikimedia Commons