After posting the riveting, The 15 Oddest Things in Thailand (You'd NEVER guess!), I've been on the lookout for those strange little quirks of each country. Vietnam is vastly different from it's neighbors, here's what to expect when you travel there!
1. Pajamas
Hasn't it been your entire life that you've been wanting to wear your pajamas everywhere, all the time. Just move to Vietnam! Here, women's fashion doesn't even leave the bedroom. Don't these two piece floral outfits look just like the Target bedtime section?
2. Cone Hats
Thought it was just a tourist stunt? Nope! Vietnamese people- old to young, farmers to lawyers wear these bamboo coned hats when the relentless sun becomes too much!
3. Traffic
Think you could only drive cars on the road? Think again.
If you have any of the following, please participate in the mass chaos that is the streets of Vietnam:
1. Car
2. Bus
3. Motorcycle
4. Bicycle
5. Motorized Bicycle
6. Roller Blades (YES, I am not joking)
7. Ox Carts (yep)
No reason for separate lanes or even stop lights, just avoid each other.
4. Honking
What would Vietnam be without the endless sound of blaring horns and endless beeps? I really don't know-I think this is one of it's defining features. If Vietnam is anything, it's loud.
When to Honk in Vietnam:
1. When you are approaching another car
2. When you are in an intersection
3. When someone else is in an intersection
4. When someone is in front of you driving
5. When someone is on either side of you driving
6. If you are the only one on the road
7. If you are turning
8. If you are going straight
Make sure you honk for at least 5 seconds or they won't hear you!
5. Chairs for 3 year olds
Want to feel like a Kindergartener again? Perfect! Sit in one of these tiny chairs to enjoy a meal or coffee!
6. What's life without Louis?
Vietnamese love those Western name brands, but who can afford that? Head to Vietnam for all your knock off items!
7. Those Wittle Babies!
Vietnamese women apparently love babies! Kid's everywhere! EVERYWHERE!
8. Customer Service
Coming from Thailand and even Cambodia, Vietnam proved a wide shock in customer service. Don't expect the wide Thai smiles or accommodating Cambodian's. Vietnamese don't fit the "quiet asian" stereotype and aren't afraid to tell you (or yell it at you) if they don't like you.
9. Bring it Outside!
Everything happens in the streets! Everyone is always out and about in the street, no shut ins here!
10. Construction
Vietnam is a country building, literally. There is construction everywhere! Get used to it!
11. Understanding War
It's very interesting from an American view learning about the Vietnam War. In Vietnam it is known as the American War or the Destructive War which could be seen, in and of itself, as an insight into the many different points of view on the war. Head to Ho Chi Minh City, the tunnels and the War Museum for more info on the Vietnamese point of view!
12. Lady Buddha
14. Hair Rollers
You forgot your hair tie, right? Just use one of those curlers from the eighties, that's what the Vietnamese girls do, problem solved!
15. Domestic Animals Taste Pretty Damn Good
We saw signs for cat, dog and armadillo. Vietnamese have quite the appetite for our furry friends. :.[
1. Pajamas
Hasn't it been your entire life that you've been wanting to wear your pajamas everywhere, all the time. Just move to Vietnam! Here, women's fashion doesn't even leave the bedroom. Don't these two piece floral outfits look just like the Target bedtime section?
2. Cone Hats
Thought it was just a tourist stunt? Nope! Vietnamese people- old to young, farmers to lawyers wear these bamboo coned hats when the relentless sun becomes too much!
 |
| Vietnamese woman wearing pajamas, a hat and on a bicycle-TRIFECTA! |
3. Traffic
Think you could only drive cars on the road? Think again.
If you have any of the following, please participate in the mass chaos that is the streets of Vietnam:
1. Car
2. Bus
3. Motorcycle
4. Bicycle
5. Motorized Bicycle
6. Roller Blades (YES, I am not joking)
7. Ox Carts (yep)
No reason for separate lanes or even stop lights, just avoid each other.
 |
| Ox Cart joining traffic in Ninh Binh, Vietnam |
4. Honking
What would Vietnam be without the endless sound of blaring horns and endless beeps? I really don't know-I think this is one of it's defining features. If Vietnam is anything, it's loud.
When to Honk in Vietnam:
1. When you are approaching another car
2. When you are in an intersection
3. When someone else is in an intersection
4. When someone is in front of you driving
5. When someone is on either side of you driving
6. If you are the only one on the road
7. If you are turning
8. If you are going straight
Make sure you honk for at least 5 seconds or they won't hear you!
 |
| Ford has even started a campaign against the honking in Hanoi, Vietnam Read Here |
5. Chairs for 3 year olds
Want to feel like a Kindergartener again? Perfect! Sit in one of these tiny chairs to enjoy a meal or coffee!
6. What's life without Louis?
Vietnamese love those Western name brands, but who can afford that? Head to Vietnam for all your knock off items!
7. Those Wittle Babies!
Vietnamese women apparently love babies! Kid's everywhere! EVERYWHERE!
 |
| Yes, this is the photo I chose. |
8. Customer Service
Coming from Thailand and even Cambodia, Vietnam proved a wide shock in customer service. Don't expect the wide Thai smiles or accommodating Cambodian's. Vietnamese don't fit the "quiet asian" stereotype and aren't afraid to tell you (or yell it at you) if they don't like you.
9. Bring it Outside!
Everything happens in the streets! Everyone is always out and about in the street, no shut ins here!
 |
| Why would you want to get your hair cut inside a shop when you can get it on the street? |
10. Construction
Vietnam is a country building, literally. There is construction everywhere! Get used to it!
11. Understanding War
It's very interesting from an American view learning about the Vietnam War. In Vietnam it is known as the American War or the Destructive War which could be seen, in and of itself, as an insight into the many different points of view on the war. Head to Ho Chi Minh City, the tunnels and the War Museum for more info on the Vietnamese point of view!
12. Lady Buddha
Interestingly enough, most Vietnamese pray not to Buddha but to Guanyin. This has much to do with the Chinese influence in Vietnam as Guanyin is a popular figure in Chinese Taoism.
 |
| In Da Nang, Vietnam |
13. Bamboo Bong
These Bongs are used by locals to smoke heavy tobacco. You'll see them everywhere from morning 'til night!
 |
| http://vietnoir.wordpress.com/2007/11/02/vietnam-in-black-and-white/mr-mice-and-the-bamboo-bong-2/ |
14. Hair Rollers
You forgot your hair tie, right? Just use one of those curlers from the eighties, that's what the Vietnamese girls do, problem solved!
15. Domestic Animals Taste Pretty Damn Good
We saw signs for cat, dog and armadillo. Vietnamese have quite the appetite for our furry friends. :.[
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