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Saigon Liam arrived in Saigon and we stayed 3 nights and got accustomed to the traffic, touts, tooting and the heat. Liam visited the Chi tunnels by speed boat and we all walked around the War Museum and Independence Palace in the 35 degree heat. It was very hot and humidity high; even the locals were fanning themselves, especially the men (some with pretty red lacy fans). We carried face cloths in a plastic bag so we could wet them with iced bottled water to cool us down – it was so hot.
Very sad to see photos of the war especially the long lasting affects of agent orange and the terrified faces just before the american troops executed the locals. Very anti american obviously as they helped the south and the north won. They named the american generals that lead the troops into battle which destroyed many villages and killed thousands of civilians. They had a section of foreign journalist photos, many whom got killed during the war. They also had a protest section where they had photos of protesters from all around the world. New Zealand was there shown as protesting, but also as troops.
We
took Liam to experience the market. The store owners sit outside the market and start with …… “where you from” “your son” “very handsome” ….”come see my shop”. Sometimes you follow, mostly you don't bother, it never ends well. One area you walk into and you get accosted by about 20 woman all shouting “buy something my shop” grabbing your arms holding up clothes as you push your way through the tight walkaways amongst piles of piled high clothes. It’s all very amusing.
We spent a few nights sitting on street corner restaurants drinking weak cocktails & disgusting Dalat wine and eating (Mexican, hamburgers and Indian!) whilst watching the chaotic traffic of motorbikes, people, carts, touts, bicycles, etc. We spotted 5 people on one bike, mum, dad, nana and the kids, a wall huge unit, boxes of beer, you name it they carry it on a bike.
Accommodation – We stayed down a little alleyway in the backpackers area, filled with guest houses, bars, restaurants, street vendors. The Pub opposite was popular with the locals and the alleyway partied into the small wee hours on Saturday night. You could get a bottle of Alan Scott Sav for NZ$22
– how is it cheaper outside of NZ? LAC Vien - cost NZ$44 a night. Would recommend as good value and clean. Had fantastic pork rice porridge for brekky. Liam upgraded to the suite which had lounge area, balcony, bigger bathroom, large LCD TV, DVD player and more space NZ$60.
http://www.lacvienhotel.com/ Then we flew to Hue for 3 nights.
Hue A place we had not visited before but apparently it had some great tourist attractions – a Citadel, Pagoda and some tombs. We got coerced into our own private boat ride across the river to the Citadel. A boat that looked like something out of the viking era, and of course it included our very own personal tout! The Citadel covers lots of kms and was bordered by a moat; a few hundred years ago it housed the people of the city and the emperor. Honestly it was boring; very hot walking around paddocks with old ruins with no story telling. So next day to avoid the 8 hour bus tour everyones takes, we hired our own driver (NZ$30 am) in an air conditioned car and customised our own tour – just take us to just
2 tombs. We felt we had to see more than one attraction, or at least make an effort. I expected tombs to house dead emperors and their riches, but no, one was a weekend retreat for one of the Emperors a few hundred years ago and the other not sure, looked like a temple. All in all not worth the visit to Hue, so we focussed on food and drink. First stop KFC!
We read some fabulous reviews on trip Advisor for the Confetti Art Gallery restaurant so booked a table, on the balcony please. We were amazed when we arrived to be the only table setup on the balcony with our own private waitress - it was fantastic. Liam indulged and bought a bottle of Sav and we had a great night with our very own waitress standing nearby the entire time to refill our glasses or attend to our every whim! And no touts!! 3 course meal with cocktails NZ$36, very extravagant, but worth it!
Do you know Yummy means “horny” in Vietnam – I didn’t!
Touts- they constantly hassle you to buy, pleading mostly “you buy from me” the only retreat is your hotel
room. No thanks, needs to be repeated multiple times to multiple Touts. They sell paintings, postcards, book marks, cigarettes, fans, tissues, sunglasses, and lighters, everything you don’t want. Although they are just trying to make a living and we are invading their country.
Accommodation - Than Thien Friendly Hotel, Hue city,
http://www.thanthienhotel.com.vn. Such friendly staff! Would recommend and cost us NZ$27 per night for superior room. The room was very clean, LCD TV, fridge, too much furniture and little room to move, but good value.
To Hoi An We opted for a driver instead of the 5 hour bus trip from Hue to Hoi An, for NZ$75 for a 4 hour drive which included a drive over the famous Hai Van pass (bypassing the tunnel) it was over hills with some amazing ocean views. We stopped at the top and walked around the bunkers whichhad provided the Americans with views down both sides of the hill. Sat and chatted with the stall owners, and our driver and had coffee - of course got talked into a purchase each. Our driver gets phone call from his mistress, I ask “what does his wife think of mistress”. “Oh ok
wiggling his hand, I cannot help it, all the girls like me”!
On the drive we passed a cattle truck with animal limbs and bodies all mingled together. What type of animal is that we thought – was that a bark? I wondered why I had not seen any dogs around, and if we did they were tiny small pet dogs. Apparently they eat dog here. I must try.
Drove past China Beach where the Americans troops used to hang out on downtime - you may remember the China Beach series if you are over 40. The beach is beautiful with soft white hot silky sand which stretches for miles and is lined with 5 star resorts on one side and the other side with white marble statues for sale. Fabulous statues, one was being sent to Sydney for $3k box about 3x3ft. The resorts are alone no local Vietnamese life nearby or restaurants, shops or bars. I would imagine very boring really!
We arrive in Hoi An.....see more pictures below.
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Jan McCallum
non-member comment
Vietnam
Took me awile to work my way around your e mails which said "do not reply to this." Hope I am in the right place now. What brilliant photos and very informative and interesting travel information. What a wonderful time you are having and making the best of it. Good that Liam was able to join you and benefit from your experiences. Sad to think the Vietnamese areas are still showing signs of the war which was so long ago. Those poor defenceless people.All is well here as far as I know. The weather has been freezing and worse in Christchurch with the snow on the ground.