As one of the most fascinating holiday destinations in Asia, Vietnam remains one of the last frontiers of the old-world charm that much of the region has lost due to modernisation. Considered a cultural Mecca for the masses, this affordable and backpacker-friendly vacation hub is best explored by walking off the beaten path. From enjoying authentic experiences to wining and dining like a local, here's how to experience Vietnam like a resident who has called it home for years.

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1. Dine like a Vietnamese

A getaway in Vietnam is not the time to stick to your usual meal plans and pick "safe" options like sandwiches and fries. One of the easiest ways to immerse yourself in local culture and experience the country as a local would is to wine and dine as residents do. Rice and noodles are the staple meal-time favourites of the Vietnamese so grab a bowl of Pho for breakfast and rice noodles for lunch from street vendors and savour every bite. Egg coffee is another local delight that residents drink throughout the day so don't forget to order yourself a cuppa from a cafe that may also serve other delicious coffee beverages unique to Vietnam's coffee culture. Savouring the flavours of street food is also a must as communal dining and enjoying delectable treats bought from the streets is popular among the populace.

2. Stay with a Local Family or a Guest House

Forget luxury resorts and five-star hotels and opt for a guest house or an Air Bnb run by a Vietnamese family instead. In addition to offering visitors a more authentic holiday experience, the interactions and exchanges one is likely to have with the community who resides in a certain area of the country also increase exponentially. Big hotels and plush resorts often shelter tourists from the reality of life in Vietnam and it is better to find more modest lodgings for less and experience life in Vietnam without blinkers on.

3. Sign up for a Cross-Country Train Journey

Hop on board The Vietage or any other tour operator organising railway journeys across Vietnam. Not only will a train tour on a first class train in Vietnam offer tourists a glimpse of the pastoral countryside but it will also provide them with a chance to witness the geographical diversity of the country. Ideal for long-stay visitors, a train journey around the country can be both a spiritual and a holiday encounter filled with special memories of exploring different regions in these seemingly unchartered lands.

4. Shop with the Locals

Although most tourists stick to the malls and shopping complexes in Ho Chi Minh City during their stay in Vietnam, those who wish to shop where the locals do are likely to find more bargains. Vietnamese shop owners and shoppers both enjoy a good haggle so head down to the Hanoi Weekend Night Market or the Hoi An Central Market to put your haggling skills to the test. The Ben Thanh Market and the Dong Xuan Market are other local thoroughfares where you can buy authentic Vietnamese goods and tasteful souvenirs for a fraction of what it would cost in a mega mall or department store.

5. Getting Around Vietnamese Style

Travellers who don't wish to travel around in an air-conditioned taxi like most tourists during their stay in the country will find that using local transport methods has its own advantages. Hop on a local bus and pay extra to know what it is to commute in the way more locals do. Cyclos are also a great way to paddle around the city while renting a motorbike or moped is an option open to those with international driving licenses.