Ao Dai This word does not translate well because it is uniquely Vietnamese. Ao Dai (pronounced "aw jaai" in the South and "aw zaai" in the North) is a traditional dress worn over long, wide trousers. Ao Dai come in many colours; schoolgirls have them white, older women prefer them dark. The trousers are the same colour as the dress, white (in cities) or black (in the countryside, because of the muddy roads). Even in the modern times we live in, the Ao Dai is extremely fashionable and a symbol of Vietnamese charm. Conical Hat Without doubt, the conical hat (Non La) is the most recognisable symbol of the Vietnamese countryside. Cheap and light as a feather, this headgear protects against the burning sun and a rain shower alike. The ones that come from the imperial city of Hue are often very nicely decorated (Non Bai Tho). The pictures or poems become visible when you hold the hat against the light. Water Puppets Controlled by invisible puppeteers standing behind a small pool, the colourful and funny Water Puppets (Roi Nuoc) make excellent entertainment. Kids love the liveliness and action, adults might prefer the ages-old legends that the puppets depict. The best place to watch this spectacle is at the Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi, but there are also smaller venues elsewhere in the country offering regular performances. Pyjamas at Day To the surprise of overseas visitors, many Vietnamese women wear pyjamas during daytime. These people have not forgotten to get dressed when they got up -- this is what they put on! Pyjamas are light and cool, so form a pleasant alternative to jeans in a warm and humid country. Yoke A bamboo stick to carry two rattan baskets (Quang Ganh), this is the natural way to transport your stuff in Vietnam. Monkey Bridge With two major delta's -- the Mekong Delta in the South and the Red River Delta in the North -- it comes as no surprise that Vietnam has plenty of water. These bamboo bridges are constructed of bamboo poles and form an affordable alternative to concrete bridges and boats. Cyclo The Vietnamese version of a rickshaw has a French and a Vietnamese name (Xich Lo, a a fine example of a French loanword). Some love them, some hate them, but surely no other means of transportation offers better city views than this pedal-powered vehicle. Recently they have lost some ground to taxis and motorcycles, but Vietnamese seem to prefer them so there all still plenty around. Squatting How long can you sit like this? Ten seconds, a minute? Vietnamese people sit on their heels for hours, and cannot imagine a more relaxing pose! Spring Rolls Deep-fried Vietnamese spring rolls (Cha Gio) are famous all over the world. Wrapped in sun-dried rice paper, they contain fresh vegetables and often shrimps or meat. Tip: wrap on in a piece of lettuce and dip it in some fish sauce. Buffalo Boy At the countryside in Vietnam, young boys have the duty of keeping the buffalo. When travelling, you will often see them sitting on the back of their "pet" or guiding it throw the paddies. Push that boat! Now this is odd! This woman rows her boat pushing. Tay Chi Tradional morning exercise, also known as Tay Chi, is still done every day throughout the country. You are welcome to join these people at the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, but you will need to be there well before six. Elephant Ear Fish The fish of which inhabitants of the Mekong Delta are the most proud, is this 'elephant ear fish'. Its substantial ears attract the attention, just like the way it is served.