Travel: Visit Vietnam and Why? What To Do In Vietnam + WIN A TRIP TO VIETNAM FOR TWO!

When I was asked to tell you about why I wanted to travel, I jumped at the chance. Ever since moving from Leeds to London last Summer, I've wanted to spread my wings and go further a field. Moving back for University made me realise that I have high aspirations, and that unfortunately, I'm not one of these people who can stay in the same city for the rest of my life. I have pretty much done Europe, but University opened my eyes, my friends have been to America, Australia, Dubai, Iceland - cool places that actually, as a child I probably wouldn't have appreciated, that's my Mum's answer anyway when I ask why we never went. As soon as I was asked to talk to you about travelling, I thought of all the fabulous places that I want to visit; The Maldives, America, Australia, Thailand, Fiji... but then I realised, why discuss the norm, when there's so much out there in the world that is left un-discussed? This is where Vietnam comes in... Lucky for you, I'm going to tell you how you can travel too, and win two tickets to Vietnam thanks to Malaysia Airlines.

Obviously these photos weren't taken by me, seen as I've never been to Vietnam, it would be quite hard to show you photos taken by me. So back to the topic; travel, I think it is something that many of us long to do. As Beard says “certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” And yes, you're probably thinking, how can you tell me to visit Vietnam, when you've never been? Funnily enough, every person that I've told this week 'ooh I'm going to write about Vietnam' has exclaimed something along the lines of, 'ooh it's meant to be gorgeous.' or 'Wow, incredible beaches there!' And right they probably are. I came across a post on WordTravels and one on the Laurentian University Student Blog when researching why should I visit Vietnam? WordTravels explain that 'all old history is gone, now peace and safety resides. [Vietnam is] opening to the world as a friendly and exotic place on earth to be.' I liked this statement a lot. Both authors give a list of reasons why you should visit Vietnam and here are some of my favourites:

'1. It's a new place. It's not touristy like in Thailand and many places you go, people go stunned by your appearance.' - This is funny because when I heard about writing about travelling, I was like, oh yep, Thailand is where I will write about, typical British tourist. 

'2. It's safe and friendly. The majority of people in Vietnam are farmers. Pure farmers. Many of them have never learnt of much apart from the village they were born in. Naturally, they're almost all friendly safe to be around. Moreover, the communist government does a good job in ensuring securities all over the country. Nothing of a crime has happened to tourists anymore for the last a decade.' - This also made me have really good vibes about Vietnam, everyone wants to be safe abroad right? Yep.

3. 'Its has lots to see: A thin country stretching for thousands of Km from North to South. It has beautiful mountain with colourful hill tribes. It has highlands with their everlasting rudimentary traditions. It has beaches and many of those are considered best in the world but still, they're not touristy.' - To be honest, I am not someone who likes touristy things, when in Paris, I always try to find traditional Parisian areas, away from the hustle and bustle, I would never go to McDonalds abroad, I like to try cultural things. 'From the crazy carpeting down the sand dunes, walking along the warm water of the fairy stream, taking a cable car up Ta Ku Mountain, visiting Pagodas and charming little farming and fishing villages, kite surfing on the ocean, and relaxing on the white sand beaches. And so much more!' Seems like Vietnam is the place to be.

4. 'It's cheap. If you want to, then 1 dollar could buy you a basic lunch or dinner. Wandering around and you want to find somewhere to sit and drink? Mostly you don't have to pay more than one dollar for it.' - This also excites me, it means I'd be able to try all of the fabulous cuisines, without breaking my bank balance. So many of my friends won't come travelling with me because they say it's too expensive. I feel that this isn't an excuse, ANYONE can make money. And watch me do it. If you want something enough, you will make the money, whether that's by working in your local super market, putting your life on EBay, getting sponsors, if you want it enough, you can earn that money girl!

5.'Vietnam has such a rich culture and history (beyond the war). The way of life here is very interesting and is such a contrast to Canada. I admire how hard working the people are, and I’m amazed by the diversity.'

6. 'The landscape is so diverse and beautiful.From sand dunes, to waterfalls; white sand beaches, to pine tree forests. From city populations of around 7 million, to smaller local towns and villages.'

7.' The food is Delicious! Vietnamese food back home doesn’t do it justice! All the food is very fresh. Seafood is caught fresh in the morning. Also, when ordering coconut juice, it is not uncommon for the waiter to go grab one a coconut off a tree, cut it open with a machete and stick a straw in it.'

P.S, The hotels look amazing too.

An issue that people raise when wanting to go travelling is, how do I get there? If you're scared of flying, there's no need to be as Malaysia Airlines (the amazing people running this competition and sponsoring this post, thank you!) have that covered, they serve more than 60 destinations in almost 30 countries across Asia, Australasia, Middle East, Europe, and North America, including one world hubs to Hong Kong, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Sydney and Tokyo Narita.  Plus you get 40kg standard baggage allowance, which is amazing for us girls. I hate packing lightly.

Erm, get me on one of their planes now?! Travel-scared me, who's longest flight is a mere 6 hours, needs to experience the Malaysian way.

Things that I personally want to see;

Ha Long Bay is somewhere in Vietnam that I need to visit. How can somewhere look so beautiful and idyllic? I can't actually believe that this is real, it's scary how perfect it is.

Hoi An, Vietnam's ancient town which is lit on the 14th of every lunar month. This is just beautiful, I'd love to go on amoonlit date here, I want to go here because I feel that it's so cultural.

Hue, the capital city and arguably most beautiful city in Vietnam.

I guess you have to visit the capital city, I love the style of the architecture and would love to see it in the flesh.

Win win win win win!

Here's the fun part, I take it you've drooled over the photos of the gorgeous Vietnamese beaches, so now is your chance to win two tickets thanks to Malaysia Airlines to Vietnam. All you have to do is vote here for me please and then you get put into the draw to win tickets to Vietnam too. Not bad huh? 

See you on the beach yeah? Good luck everyone! Have you every travelled? Is there somewhere that you'd recommend? Would you like to go to Vietnam? Let me know if you enter!

P.S, I've been shortlisted for the Cosmopolitan 'best new beauty blog' award and I am speechless, I'd love to have your vote. You can vote for me here. Thank you so much.

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(all photos on this particular sponsored blog post are from Google, please ask me to take them down if they’re your property.)