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Hoi An
Communist VietnamI'm writing this at the end of our time in Vietnam shortly after the Halong bay trip from Hanoi.
First stop for us was Ho Chi Mihn city formerly Saigon. Saigon is a typical Asian city again and so busy with motorbikes (4 million just in the city alone) and people hassling us it makes your head spin. We took a trip to the Cu chi tunnels from here which is the battle field where the Vietcom resisted the American army from there subterranean tunnels (Tight fit for Me).
Further up the coast is Dalat, a Hilly town where you can get trips with Easyrider. which is basically a motorbike taxi for 3 to 4 days around rural Vietnam. These guys have almost perfected the 'Hard Sell' teqnique but we hooked up with a Girl from the Faulklands and a guy from London (Hello Joe!) and got some bikes ourselves and hit the roads.
After seeing the sights it was time to head North on a 7 hour bus to Na trang on the coast, this is where the real hassle or should I say 'Hustle' starts....... (insert expletive here)
Next stop Hoi An, a lovely little town
Ho Chi Minh City
Some kids trying to sell us Terpins for a dollar they just caught in the dirty Saigon River! on the river Where you can get a motorbike and explore the surroundings, Enjoy a cooking lesson, meet other travellers and exchange stories about how you got ripped off in Vietnam so far............ (Insert another)
From Hoi An we Hooked up with an Aussie couple and got the sleeper train to Hanoi, Loadsa fun, Especially as a drunk Vietnam kid in the restaurant car bought us all beer all night and paid for the lot! (Vietnam 1- England 1)
At the station in Hanoi we foolishly got in a 'Free' taxi on the promise of a cheap hotel, of course when when we got there and didn't want to stay because it was more expensive the taxi was no longer free, cue much shouting and arm waving and every Vietnamese and their dog wanting a piece of the action. (getting a bit sick of it now)
The last thing on our want to see list was Halong Bay. so we just went to a reputed tour operator and booked the most expensive trip going, and its been a fantastic 3 days cruising on an old junk boat, sea food every meal and 5star accommodation on Cat Ba
Ho Chi Minh City
Moto Taxi. There are 4million Motobikes in HCMC, so we thought we'd join in! island complete with spa and private beach.
All in all Vietnam has some stunning sights and experiences but its very noisy and has far too many people crammed it. The People's attitude is Awful and to be honest so are they, I'm generalising but I don't care. (Roll on Thailand!!!!) Glad to have visited but never again!
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mummy brady
non-member comment
Hello
Photos are excellent yet again - what a life! The five star hotel on Cat Ba Island is the place for me. Carrying on having fun keep safe