Hang out with Vietnamese Locals

Throw away that tourism book and hang out with the locals.

Ever eavesdropped on the average conversation between tourists? Well, it immediately becomes clear that tourists are always on the look-out for authentic travel experiences. However, tourism guides often don’t write anything about ‘meeting the locals, eating with locals and going where the locals go’.

Surely, touristic places in Vietnam like to sell the idea of being authentic but most of the time, they are all providing you with the same experience. On your journey abroad, the real magic happens when you step out of your touristic comfort bubble, and start thinking like a local.

There is a new kid in town, an organization called Withlocals which aims to connect travels and locals directly through food and experiences. The idea is simple. Locals can offer tours, workshops and even home dinner experiences directly to tourists. By doing this, the local population of Vietnam can earn good money for something they do daily, and tourists get to experience the Vietnamese culture up-close. Locals can organize home dinner evenings, such as a springroll party, or teaching tourists the best way to prepare the real Pho or sticky rice cake.

There is even more. Locals are the expert of their community. How amazing would it be to visit a food market under the guidance of a local? He or she will be able to show you the best food stalls, and the hidden side-streets where the locals do their shopping. Apart from this, the locals of Vietnam can also offer activities such as a motorcycle traffic class, making your own coffee or teaching how to play a Vietnamese instruments. They can even take interested tourists along on a day activity, such as visiting a local school, or hiking through the rice fields while visiting small villages.

Vietnam720.info

Hang out with Vietnamese Locals