Blogs from My Tho, Tien Giang, Mekong River Delta, Vietnam, Asia

We got up at 4:30 to get some beakfast before our boat picked us up. And then we finally saw how early we had to get up in order to go running with the locals in the morning. The fish market was in full swing, but eating fish soup while practically bathing in eels and snakes was a bit much for us before dawn. We got coffee, and found some sandwiches along the road, and met our guide, Truc. We had found him the day before by following our trusted rules: always check out our options (especially if a local says it's "complicated for us"), always pick people based on gut feeling (mostly Sadie's, Øyvind will give anyone a chance...) and avoid peole who nag and are aggressive. Our trip with Truc was amazing. He took ... read more

After the rain last night, the temperature feels much cooler this morning. I get a convenience call from Vietnam Airlines to let me know that my early flight has been delayed an hour and a half due to technical difficulties, and enjoy a long and relaxing breakfast. At the check-in counter, I am asked if I’m fine with sitting in an exit row as they need somebody strong in case something happens: very reassuring. However, the flight is smooth and, as soon as we exit the airport with Mr. Tin (he adds that his name is pronounced like Tintin), my local Saigon guide, I feel a very different vibe than in Central Vietnam. The largest city in Vietnam is also its commercial capital and is fast becoming the nation’s window to the world. Buzzing with frenetic ... read more

Saigon can only be digested in increments and so I had to get out for a few days. In Vietnam, making money is the ultimate goal in their rising economy but unfortunately this new love for capitalism has brought with it an increase in swindling and a decrease in morality, particularly considering tourists. Vendors in the street sell pirated everything and their uniformed brothers are no better: organized tour companies have found a skill in wording advertisements so I think I'm in for an adventure but really just purchased a seat on a rickety bus or overheated boat. And though I've found it difficult to temper by cynicism, overall the experience of getting cheated and taken is one I am glad to have had. I'm telling myself it's all for educational purposes... So, back to my ... read more

We left Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on Sunday by speedboat to set as on our way down the Mekong River towards Saigon, the capital of Vietnam. The Mekong is one of the largest rivers in the world and passes through 6 countries starting in Nepal. It is a busy and thriving river with various forms of water transport such as large cargo ships transporting goods such as rice down to small man made canoes containing a solitary fisherman going about his business. We were there for leisure but most of those on the river were there for their work or trade. The speedboat took us to our first overnight stop at a city called Chau Doc, being on the Vietnam side of the border. We stayed at the Victoria Hotel overlooking the river and ... read more

Ursprünglich wollte ich nach My Tho mit dem öffentlichen Bus fahren, der billiger ist, als ein Bus einer tour-Company. Jedoch liegt der Busbahnhof einige Kilometer entfernt, so dass das gesparte Geld für die Taxiahrt drauf gegangen wäre. Also habe ich mir das mit 4 $ günstigste Ticket bei einer Reiseagentur besorgt. Wie sich herausstellte, handelte es sich bei dem Bus um eine der regelmäßigen geführten Touren ins Mekong-Delta, nur wurden ich und zwei weitere Passagiere, die nur die Fahrt nach My Tho gebucht hatten, vor Ort abgesetzt, während die Tourteilnehmer in ein Boot umstiegen. Obwohl täglich hunderte von Tourtelnehmern in My Tho ankommen, ist die Stadt selbst die untouristischste, die ich bisher in Vietnam erlebt habe. Es gibt zwar mehrere Hotels an der Uferpromenade, aber keine richtige Bckpackergegend. Man muss bzw. darf in lokalen Restaurants essen ... read more