Tubudd News

27.04.23

"A Tourist's Guide To Love": movie and reality about Vietnam

Huyen Nguyen

"A Tourist's Guide to Love" is a heartwarming romantic movie that takes the audience on a journey through the mesmerizing landscapes of Vietnam. The film follows the story of two strangers, an American travel executive and a Vietnamese tour guide, as they embark on a journey of self-discovery and explore the beauty of Vietnam together. With stunning visuals and an engaging plot, "A Tourist's Guide to Love" is a must-watch for anyone who loves romance and travel. However, there are some details in the movies that are not totally true about Vietnam. Tubudd will tell you those things in this blog post.

1. Crossing the roads in Vietnam is not that easy

In the movie, when Sinh teaches Amanda how to cross the road, he said "Just stick your hand out and walk nice and slow" and "The trick to Vietnamese traffic, always forward, never back". We don't say that this tip is wrong, but the scene in the movie seems way too easy and may make you feel subjective when crossing the road in Vietnam. So there are some more facts and tips we want to tell you.

Sinh and Amanda cross the road in "A Tourist's Guide to Love".png

There are lots of vehicles, which means that there are also lots of horn sounds on the streets (which we cannot hear in the movie, and we understand that this is a movie and it's reasonable). But in reality, it may give you a start and distract you. You should always look left and right before crossing the road, even if you are on a one-way street. Motorbikes and bicycles can come from any direction.

2. You cannot go from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An that fast

In the movie, you can see that the tourists go from Ho Chi Minh City in the morning and arrive in Hoi An at night by coach. In fact, the distance between Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An is approximately 950 kilometers (590 miles) if you take the direct route. The two cities are located in different regions of Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hoi An in the central part of the country. If you go by coach, it will take you approximately 17-18 hours, depending on traffic conditions and the specific route taken by the coach. This option can be cheaper than flying or taking the train, but the journey can be very tiring and uncomfortable.

Anh drives a coach from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An.png

There are several ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An, but the most convenient and popular options are by air or by train. By air, you can take a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Da Nang International Airport, which is about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) away from Hoi An. The flight takes approximately 1.5 hours, and there are multiple airlines operating this route.

Another option is to take the train from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang and then a bus or taxi from Da Nang to Hoi An. The train journey takes approximately 17-20 hours, depending on the type of train and the route. However, this option can be more scenic and offers a unique way to see the countryside and coastline of Vietnam. We also have a guide about transport around Vietnam for you.

3. My Son Sanctuary is a popular tourist attraction, and it's quite crowded

In the movie, instead of the Golden Hand Bridge, the group goes to My Son Sanctuary, and it's very deserted here. In reality, My Son Sanctuary attracts lots of travelers, and it's quite crowded except for the low season.

For more information, My Son Sanctuary is a group of abandoned Hindu temples located in central Vietnam, about 40 kilometers southwest of Hoi An. The temples of My Son were largely destroyed during the Vietnam War, but many of the structures have since been restored and are now a popular tourist attraction. The site is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia.

4. It's kind of awkward to see two Vietnamese speaking English with each other

Near the end of the movie, when Sinh talks to his sister, Anh, you can clearly hear that they talk in English first, then in Vietnamese later. For a Vietnamese like me, it's quite strange to hear two Vietnamese talking in English, except when there is a foreigner, and we will talk in English so everyone can understand. For us, this detail is kind of weird and fun, and it does not affect the quality of the movie.

5. The mix of Vietnamese accents when they go to Sinh's hometown

The scene when Sinh and Anh go back to their hometown to celebrate Tết (Vietnam Lunar New Year) was shot in Ha Giang, a province located in the northernmost region of Vietnam, near the border with China. However, the locals here, especially Ba Noi (grandmother), speak with a Southern accent, which is a strange detail for Vietnamese audiences.

Amanda and Ba Noi (Sinh's grandmother).jpg

In addition, the Vietnamese language has three main dialects:

Northern dialect: spoken in the northern region of Vietnam, including Hanoi, the capital city. This dialect is considered the standard dialect of Vietnamese and is used in formal settings and media.

Central dialect: spoken in the central region of Vietnam, including Hue and Da Nang. This dialect is known for its distinct pronunciation and vocabulary, which differs from the northern and southern dialects.

Southern dialect: spoken in the southern region of Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). This dialect is known for its slightly different pronunciation and vocabulary, and is often associated with a more relaxed and informal way of speaking.

Here are just some of the strange things we have noticed when we watch "A Tourist's Guide to Love". If you see more things, feel free to share them with us. Our country is very beautiful, and we always welcome you to explore.