Fresh spring rolls Photo: Li Jingjing/GT

A merchant purchases goods at the floating market on the Mekong River. Photo: Li Jingjing/GT

A bowl of mud used for mud baths in Nha Trang Photo: Li Jingjing/GT

Sometimes it feels awkward traveling in Vietnam as a Chinese. On one hand, so many scenic spots such as temples have strong Chinese characteristics due to the historic influence of Chinese culture. Some temples for example have signs or decorations that feature Chinese characters. There are also the propaganda posters and their strong communist style, which reminds me of China during the last century.

The similarities made me doubting whether I was really in another country for a minute.

On the other hand, there are also many things that reflect the chaos and complicated relationship between these two countries.

Probably people from different countries have mixed feelings about Vietnam depending on how their country is connected to theirs, like France and the US.

France, which colonized the country during the 19th century, definitely left strong marks on this country. No matter if it's the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, or people's habit of drinking coffee and having a baguette.

Seeing a poster depicting a strong fist tearing down a US Air Force plane sold at the War Remnants Museum, which stores records from the Resistance War Against America (1955-1975), I wondered what it must feel like to visit the country as an American tourist.

But of course we won't talk about politics here. As a passionate veteran backpacker, all I search for is fun, leisure and exploring different cultures and countries.

Vietnam is a country that has experienced a number of wars on its land. Due to this background, the country is still lagging behind when it comes to its development and economy. Luckily, its tourism industry has developed quickly, and tourists can have a safe and fun time in Vietnam.

Mekong Delta - exploring the river

The Mekong river starts from Qinghai Province in China, flowing all the way through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and ending in Vietnam where it nourishes millions of people living by the riverside.

If you ever watched the film The Lover, adapted from Marguerite Duras' renowned novel L'amant and directed by Jean Jacques Annaud, the image of Vietnamese fisherman on the Mekong River may still be a memorable one.

But it's much more exciting when floating on the river and witnessing it yourself. The Mekong Delta is a place you shouldn't miss if you want to get a taste of authentic Vietnamese culture.

The Floating Market is a unique scene. In the mornings, hundreds of big and small boats gather on the river to carry out their business. Some merchants purchase goods like fruits from large cargo ships and take them back to land to sell. Some merchants handle smaller businesses like selling drinks, noodle soup and coffee to people on other boats.

While I was cruising along the river, a small boat approached quickly and attached itself to the boat I was on with a hook, after which they began telling me how good their coconuts and coffee were. Once their business was done, they removed the hook and headed to another boat.   I had taken boats and cruised on rivers before, but had never seen such things before.

Wearing a pointy strawhat and sitting in a row boat, joining the locals and listening to their folk music, watching people make coconut products and ricepaper, observing the fishermen as they caught fish, spending a night in a local's house, I felt I couldn't be more Vietnamese.

The route to the Mekong Delta is well developed. If you plan to go there, local agencies provide one- or two-day trips.

Nha Trang - exploring the beach

I had never seen such a rusty drum set, but local fisherman were still able to beat a happy rhythm, as they sang and danced crazily on their small boat partying with visitors from all around the world. This was the scene during my exciting boat trip in Nha Trang,

Entertainment is a crucial part of traveling. Fortunately, Vietnam has plenty of beaches! Da Nang, Mui Ne and Nha Trang are three of the country's nice coastal cities. I chose Nha Trang, since I had heard there were more exiting things to do there.

Two things that all visitors shouldn't miss are taking a boat trip and getting a mud bath.

The boat trip will take you to the four islands near Nha Trang city where you can go snorkeling, diving, and party in the ocean. Some sailing clubs also provide professional surfing classes.

I enjoyed my time snorkeling with professional divers, diving deep into the ocean to see marine life that most people only see in books or on TV. Once you experience such excitement, you'll never be able to say no to it again.

No matter if it's snorkeling, diving or singing and dancing on a boat, I guarantee it will be one of the greatest days of having fun in the ocean you'll ever spend.

If you're looking for fine food, drinks and partying on land, the Sailing Club is one of greatest clubs in Nha Trang. It's located along the beach and fancily decorated, and customers are able to have nice food as well as enjoy a great view of the ocean.

If you are fortunate enough to stay in Nha Trang on a Saturday, don't miss the beach party at the Sailing Club. Live performances, live bands and beach parties will be there waiting for you.

Feeling exhausted after playing sports in the ocean? A hot sticky mud bath is worth a try. Bathing in a tub of green-gray mud, it was like when I used to play in the mud with the neighborhood kids when I was young. It's said the mud contains multiple minerals that are good for the skin. Regardless whether that's true or not, it was really a blast.

Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh - exploring the city

It seemed like thousands of motorcycles were crossing the street at the same time. The roaring engines, the colorful helmets, flowing right in front of you is a scene you may see only in Vietnam.

While I enjoyed this view of Vietnam, the question hit me, "how am I supposed to cross the street if the motorcycles never stop coming?"

Luckily most big cities have traffic lights and crosswalks, but some don't, and even if they do, not all motorcyclists obey the rules.

It's a good idea to learn from the locals how to cross the street, like I did. Raise your hand with your palm facing towards them, a gesture that I suppose means "I'm crossing the street, please don't run me over." Drivers will keep driving, but they seem to know when to slow down and how to avoid you.

If you want to join this exciting flow of traffic yourself, most hotels and agencies provide rental motorcycles and bicycles.

Considering Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, the city seems a little dilapidated. Tourist can easily get lost in the crisscrossing streets which look more like they just grew naturally instead of being planned.

Walking down one street that i though would take me south, I soon discovered it was leading me in a totally new direction after a while. 

Having a map and a GPS and checking the name of the streets at every crossroad is important if you plan to walk around. For me, getting lost in another city and figuring my way back to my hotel was all part of the fun.

The famous 36 Pho Phuong Liet is a place that many will easily get lost. The beauty of it is that each alley gathers stores selling one particular category of products. One lane you walk along may sell Buddhist items, the next sell hardware, swim suits or children's toys.

My route, one that may suit you, started from Saint Joseph Cathedral, a cathedral that shares great similarities with Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris, and headed east to the Hoàn Kiem lake. Walking around the lake in the morning and passing by several locals practicing Tai-chi, I then headed north to the 6 Pho Phuong Liet, to see the local stores.

When feeling tired it's time to enjoy some Vietnamese food. Don't miss the beef noodle soup (pho bo), fresh spring rolls stuffed with meat and various herbs and a cup of Vietnamese drip coffee or a bottle of local beer.

If you are planning to travel the entirety of Vietnam, either start from the south by landing in Ho Chi Minh and head north to Hanoi, or started from north in Hanoi and head all the way south to Ho Chi Minh.

Ho Chi Minh, once widely known as Saigon, seemed bigger and more developed. Scenic spots, modern buildings, museums, fancy restaurants and souvenirs are all available here. But looking at the displays of actual destroyed planes outside a museum, I realized it's still a city very much traumatized by war.

If you are interested in museums, the War Remnants Museum is a place you shouldn't miss. It keeps substantial records of the Resistance War Against America and shows how the country is still impacted by that history.

Rules of thumb

1. The best and easiest way to experience a boat trip or visit the Mekong Delta is through a local travel agency. The Sinh Tourist and Saigon Tourist are two well-known and trustworthy travel agencies. Tours, tickets for any type of transportation, bicycles or motorcycle rentals, you'll find everything you need there.

2. A boat trip, mud bath and a spa trip to get a full-body massage is highly recommended.

3. Beef noodle soup, spring rolls, Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk are definite must-tries.

4. Pay close attention to your belongings and watch out for robbers on motorcycles .

5. Markets are full of interesting and cheap knickknacks and souvenirs. It's okay to buy some, but  always remember to bargain. You'll get a much lower price.