A New Family Travel Option: Discover the Warm Hospitality of Vietnamese Culture!

Vietnam is a country with diverse folk customs. Geographically influenced by Confucian culture from China, it was once colonized by France due to wars, and also shares historical ties with Japan, which together shape its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultural aesthetics. Want to travel abroad but limited by budget and time? Why not take a different route and experience the varied charm of Vietnam.

In the eyes of many Taiwanese, Vietnam often carries stereotypes such as being a source of foreign labor or being underdeveloped. But in reality, Vietnam’s economy has developed to a considerable extent, especially in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and the capital Hanoi, whose prosperity is no less than that of Taipei or Kaohsiung. Additionally, Vietnam shares many similarities with Taiwan, such as celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Lunar New Year.Vietnam’s unique festivals like the Hoi An Lantern Festival, Women’s Day, and Da Lat Flower Festival showcase the region's distinct cultural character.With its rich festival culture, it’s definitely worth exploring for travelers!

Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival is somewhat like a combination of our Children’s Day and Lantern Festival. In the past, Vietnam was an agricultural society, and parents were busy working in the fields. It wasn’t until the autumn harvest was over that they had time to spend with their children. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival also serves as a special day to make up for lost time with kids. The celebrations are quite grand — aside from the tradition of eating mooncakes like in Taiwan, parents give their children toys and snacks as rewards, and also prepare lanterns for kids to carry around. It closely resembles our Lantern Festival, full of liveliness.

Many cities in Vietnam hold special family-friendly activities, allowing foreign visitors to fully immerse themselves in traditional Vietnamese culture. Bustling dragon and lion dances on the streets, a variety of local snacks, and candle and lantern vendors everywhere help create a festive atmosphere. Releasing floating lanterns is a rather unique activity compared to Taiwan. People of all ages gather by the Huong River, where classic architecture, glowing lanterns on the water, and traditional performances come together to offer a one-of-a-kind festive experience!

The Vietnamese have a deep love for lanterns, making them essential during major holidays. Hoi An, located in central Vietnam, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and is a must-visit cultural destination in Vietnam. The ancient town of Hoi An preserves the most intact architectural streetscapes, and its monthly Lantern Festival always attracts large crowds of locals and tourists.There are two more Lantern Festivals before the end of this year, on December 1st and December 31st.If you want to stroll through Hoi An’s old streets adorned with traditional lanterns and sample the authentic street food of this culinary city, be sure to plan your visit accordingly and don’t miss out on this amazing event!

Vietnam may not be a matriarchal society, but respect for women is reflected in Women’s Day. In addition to International Women’s Day on March 8th, Vietnam also celebrates its own Vietnamese Women’s Day on October 20th. On these two days, it’s customary for Vietnamese people to give flowers to mothers, wives, female colleagues, and female employees to thank them for their contributions over the past year. Historically, Vietnamese women played a significant role during wartime. Vietnam’s founding father, Ho Chi Minh, once praised Vietnamese women with the eight words: “diligent, unyielding, loyal, and capable.” The Vietnam Women’s Union also organizes grand award ceremonies every year to honor women who have made outstanding contributions to national development and social progress.

The Vietnamese love flowers and enjoy giving them to dear friends and family — and the people of Da Lat are no exception. Da Lat is the capital of Lam Dong Province, located on the Lang Biang Plateau in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, at an altitude of 1,500 meters. Its dense pine forests and lush valleys are often featured on postcards, while French-style villas, beautiful waterfalls, and expansive lakes make Da Lat one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam and the region. Especially during winter, when the city bursts into bloom with colorful flowers, it attracts many visitors. Da Lat hosts an annual International Flower Festival in December — a perfect time to escape Taiwan’s cold and damp winter, visit the warm city of Da Lat, and admire stunning floral displays with your family!

Vietnam’s Lunar New Year is heavily influenced by Chinese culture, and walking down the street, you’ll feel right at home. Spring couplets, firecrackers, and families preparing for the holiday by shopping for New Year goods and cooking lavish reunion dinners are all part of the scene. However, the dishes served are distinctly Vietnamese — you must try authentic spring rolls, sticky rice dumplings, and various meats. The local sticky rice dumplings are quite different from our Dragon Boat Festival zongzi; they are wrapped in green banana leaves into square shapes and are an important offering for ancestor worship.

On Vietnamese New Year’s Eve, the tradition of staying up late is also observed, along with the much-anticipated red envelope-giving for children, wishing them good fortune in the coming year. Though Vietnam may seem far away, it shares many cultural similarities with us. If you’re tired of spending the New Year in Taiwan, why not plan a trip to Vietnam to celebrate the Lunar New Year, explore this familiar yet different country, and experience a unique festive celebration!

Vietnam isn’t far from Taiwan — it takes only about three hours to fly from Taipei to Hanoi, which is about the same as the time it takes to get to Kenting!Moreover, flying to Vietnam no longer requires the hassle of traveling north to the airport, becauseVietjet Air currently operates six direct routes between Taiwan and Vietnam. Whether you’re flying directly from Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung to Ho Chi Minh City, from Taipei to Hanoi, or taking the newly opened Kaohsiung–Hanoi route,

you have plenty of options, making flying abroad easier than taking a bus!
Promotion Period: November 14, 2017 ~ November 16, 2017
Promotion Hours: 13:00 ~ 15:00
Promotion Routes: All international flights operated by Vietjet, including Taipei/Taichung/Tainan/Kaohsiung – Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei/Kaohsiung – Hanoi routes
Ticket Validity: December 1, 2017 ~ May 31, 2018
Booking Channels: www.vietjetair.com