Blogs from Vietnam, Asia

18 May 2013 was my 100th day in southern Vietnam. It was also a very special day as I got a tourist visa to Australia. Now I can come to Australia anytime within a year and stay there up to 3 months on a single visit. It took me a couple of weeks since I applied for the visa until I got it. While waiting for the visa result, I went to Vũng Tàu city for 6 days (from 8 to 13 May). Vũng Tàu city a favorite destination for the southern Vietnamese. It is located 120km south east of Sài Gòn and has 10km coastline. The city is also famous for the oil exploitation industry and there are many offshore oil rigs. This was my third visit to Vũng Tàu beach city. I just visited ... read more

Jooo chicos, Vanaf nu draait alles rond water; vanuit Phnom Penh vertrokken met de 'speed'boot op de Mekong rivier richting Vietnam! En ook als je via t water gaat, passeer je de grens post. Ff aanmeren in de Cambodiaanse en daarna bij de Vietnamese paar honderd meter verderop. Strangely enough verzamelen ze alle paspoorten van de passagiers, verdwijnen ze daar even mee en geven die beke later terug. Beke onwennig om af te geven en beke grappig dat ze uw gezicht ni moeten zien bij de controle ;) smokkelen is ook geen probleem voor wie duistere ambities heeft, want uwe rugzak blijft onaangeraakt op de boot liggen ;) Daarna slaan we een zijrivier van de Mekong in en dobberen tot in Chau Doc, een stad aan het water. Kindjes zitten vrolijk in het water te spelen ... read more

Up bright and early this morning, for our bus to Ho Chi Minh City. As per usual (we should have know really as everything runs on asian time here... late!), it didn't arrive on time, only a mere 2 hours late and we were off. It was another sleeper bus, so basically we got to lounge around in beds all day whilst we were whisked miles away to the south. After battling through the rush hour traffic we made it to Pham Ngu Lao, one the the busiest places for travellers to stay in the city. We easily navigated the small alleyways or 'gangs' , getting to be such pros at this, and found our accomodation for the next few nights. We were given a 4 bed dorm room even though there was only 3 of ... read more

Even after travelling in different parts of the world the airport security never ceases to amaze me. Every airport is slightly different, you can never fully anticipate what what you exaclty need to do. May be that is intentional to keep those targetted guessing, I don't know. Some places you can keep your computer in the bag, other places they have to be scanned seperately. Some require you to take everything out of your pockets, even your hankys before the body scan. In other places you can even wear your belt with a large buckle. In Cairnes I saw a guy putting his duty free through the scanners without any doubt. I myself had forgotten to drink the water in the bottle and it had nearly a litre in it. It did not cause any problems ... read more

from North Devon Consulate Hanoi Duong*Au Co 126 Ngo** 22 Hem*** 41 House with no number 00 84 1657417470 devoncalling@hotmail.com To the hundreds of students who “do” Vietnam in their gap year And the hundreds of unemployed graduates who suddenly know how to teach languages Care of travelblog Having read an updated article preparing businessmen for a trip to Vietnam , I felt it incumbent upon me to start a more reliable guide. According to the aforementioned ar... read more

We are a 60 year old couple going to Vietnam for 3 weeks in November 2013. We are not back-packers but do not expect luxury either. Flying to HCMC. Intending to stay in the southern half of the country; Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Central Highlands etc. We prefer comfortable small guest houses/hotels in countryside locations. Wildlife, national parks, interesting village and rural life. So far my research into accommodation has tended to come up with quite large hotels in urban locations. Any suggestions most appreciated. Having visited Sri Lanka 3 times and got used to tuktuks is the motorbike the only simple and cheap form of transport other than public transport. Thanks in anticipation. I can offer similar help to anyone considering Sri Lanka in particular.... read more

©devoncalling2012 Long-haired Dictionaries Within a few days of arriving in Vietnam most of the western males who were travelling alone have acquired a long-haired dictionary. For those in need of an explanation, this is a local girl who can speak English. She may not end up with the new passport she would have liked but at least she gets a nice holiday, all expenses paid. These are the paperback dictionaries. The hardback version has found a westerner with a contract or business in the country. Marriages are not uncommon nor is the transmogrification from sweet-compliant to concerned But what is... read more