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Monsoon season has descended on central and northern Vietnam, and is likely to be with us until November. Typhoon Dianmu, the third to hit the country this year, resulted in heavy downpours and strong winds. If you're visiting at this time of the year, you've got to be extra careful and listen out for the weather forecasts. But heavy rain in Vietnam doesn't drown out all the fun; there are tons of ways to enjoy the country and get to know its culture along the way. Here are just three for you to start with.
Go fishing: Why not?
Continuous downpours here turn streets into rivers, offering fish the chance to explore parts of the town they've never visited before. So what are you waiting for? It’s high time to go out and catch some fish. All you need is a pair of boots, a colorful raincoat and … a bat. Fresh fish are around the corner. But keep in mind Vietnam is notorious for potholes, so stay alert and be careful.
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Curious onlookers gather to watch the "fishermen". Photo by VnExpress/Le Viet |
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Even plastic colanders will do. Photo from Vitalk |
Sightseeing
If you happen to visit Vietnam in the rainy season, then consider yourself lucky. Many travelers are scared because they think it will ruin their vacation. There's some truth to that as typhoons can be dangerous. But it doesn't actually rain everyday. And when it does rain, learn to stay clear of dangerous paths by keeping an eye on local media and you're set to enjoy the beauty of the tropical monsoon most travelers (unfortunately) choose to avoid.
To enjoy the tumultuous rain at its most magnificent, take shelter in a rooftop bar or coffee shop, but if you don't mind getting a bit wet, cover up in a raincoat or umbrella and join the colorful traffic. Just be warned, umbrellas don't really work in a monsoon.
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When it rains, Vietnamese people pull over to cover themselves and their bikes with raincoats. Unsurprisingly, with rain come traffic jams. You’ll be amazed at the hundreds of colorful raincoats stuck together, somehow brightening up the the gloomy streets in the middle of the rain. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh |
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Vietnamese students trying to make it through the rain. Photo by Photo by Luu Binh Duong/VnExpress Photo Contest |
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If your bike suddenly dies because of the flood, not to worry, there are tons of people willing to help you out. Photo by VnExpess/Ngoc Thanh |
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The ancient town of Hoi An after the rain. Photo by Le Van/VnExpress Photo Contest |
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The iconic Vietnamese cone hat is also great for rain protection. Photo by Nguyen Chi Nam/VnExpress Photo Contest |
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Children know best how to have fun in the rain. Photo by Photo by Luu Trong Thang/VnExpress Photo Contest |
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Kids, you still have to go to school. Photo by VnExpress Photo Contest |
If you want to take a tour to enjoy the fresh smell of rain as well as the cleaned up and cooled down atmosphere, a trip in a Vietnamese ‘xich lo’ will definitely do the trick.
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Foreign tourists caught under heavy rain in the Old Quarter in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy |
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A long line of 'xich lo' endure the rain in Hue. Photo by Le Hoai Phuoc/VnExpress Photo Contest |
Couch potato
If the storm is too heavy to go out in, hit a convenience store or a supermarket, buy as much as you think you need and stay safe and sound indoors, being a potato couch and enjoying V-pop, for example. Be warned though, it's not for the faint-hearted!
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Snacks are essential for surviving the storm. Photo from IG/ptgnart |
This, for example, has recently topped the Vietnamese charts:
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