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Published: February 13th 2010
VIETNAM
this...Location: Rach Gia, Can Tho, Saigon, Dalat, Nha Trang, Buon Ma Thuot, Kontum, Danang, Hue, Hanoi
Length of Stay: 20 Days
Cost per Day: $19
What an anomoly Vietnam has been... I have loved parts of it and not loved other parts... I have wanted to stay and explore further and I have wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible... some people have been absolutely lovely and others have been downright mean and nasty... boy... what an emotional roller coaster it has been...
Buyer Beware... there are some seriously crooked shysters on the streets of Vietnam...
Do not purchase anything before confirming exactly what you are paying for and what you are receiving... this goes for food, drink, accommodation, transport, products and services... and shop around if need be... its quite common for prices to be double, triple and even more than a competitor... and even when a price has been agreed to, dont be surprised if they decide to reneg on the deal... the transport guys got me good several times... grrrr....
Oh... and with your hotels... check the linen... I stayed in hotels US $10 and under... seriously the linen had not been changed
VIETNAM
from this... from the previous and probably previous, previous guests... what are they thinking... hardly entices one to want to stay... and you must hand over your passport to every hotel reception when you check in... I was really uncomfortable doing that... but unfortunately... one doesnt have a choice...
Hanoi - the capital was the highlight of Vietnam for me... a true feast for the senses and an absolutely fantastic city... this year 2010, it celebrates its 1000 year anniversary as the capital...
I spent most of my time wandering around the old quarter and the french quarter... fascinating... just like watching a movie... The French ruled for 100 years so some pretty gorgeous colonial buildings...
The Vietnamese... Hmmm... they are an interesting race of people... I like them, but some of them can be temperamental... I have had woman yell at me at the market because I picked up a piece of fruit... I have received scowls and growls because I wanted to take a photo of a food item... I have had people jump up and down because I wanted to take a photo of a building... geez... how frustrating... and not a pleasant sight to see them
VIETNAM
and this... yelling and screaming at one another...
Would I consider returning to Vietnam in the future... absolutely... but I would definately travel with a companion and on a much higher budget...
You know I have been on the road now for 6 1/2 mths... how time flies... there is nothing like doing some extended travelling through countries and cultures that are vastly different from ones own to truly reveal ones-self to oneself... my buttons have been majorly pushed... constantly... daily...
I have discovered that I am not nearly as evolved, sophisticated, cool, calm and collected as I have always thought myself to be... 😊 This is a good thing I know... but I certainly do have some major work to do on myself...
So... a slight change to my itinerary... had planned to head north and spend the next 6mths exploring China and surrounds, however have wearied of this part of of the world... its all becoming same, same... so have decided to now head west...to the land of roti's and chapati...
India which has been at the top of my to do list is now becoming a reality... and... I have a 6mth visa which is just
VIETNAM
from this... fantastic... I am of course under no illusion that India is going to be a peaceful walk in the park... With a population of over 1 billion, I am expecting it to be insanely chaotic every step of the way... but I am sure that my time spent here in S.E. Asia will prove to have been good preparation...
Take care... x
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Brian
non-member comment
So that's what Viet-nam looks like!.....Nice pics nic.....x