Vietnam

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I’m not sure what I expected of Vietnam. What I knew of the country was mostly based on Vietnamese people in Czech and on films of the American war. I didn’t expect the people to be quite so friendly and helpful, didn’t expect Ha Long Bay’s stunning scenery with it’s 3000 islands and floating villages, didn’t expect such beautiful temples and pagodas at Hue, didn’t expect Hoi An’s quaint architecture or it’s stunning picture postcard beach and I hadn’t imagined Nha Trang’s crazy nightlife or the moderness of Saigon.


Vietnam is a really interesting mix of history and culture and is far more geared up for tourism than I had ever imagined. And the country is, like China, now opening up it’s economy and is modernising fast. In some ways it is already very modern. The intertown buses here are way more modern and comfortable than in England or Czech.


I flew into Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city in the north, 2 weeks ago and immediately tried to adjust to its fast-paced life. I thought it might remind me a little of India but it was less colourful, less noisy, less crazy, and less smelly, so really not much like India at all. But the traffic here is similarly crazy - people speed round on motorbikes continuously and it makes crossing the roads an acquired skill.


From Hanoi I went on a boat trip around Ha Long Bay, spending the days swimming and kayaking and sleeping overnight on the boat, which was really good fun. Back in Hanoi I went to see a traditional water puppet show and several museums, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s former communist leader who fought off the American invasion and united North and South Vietnam. He brought independence to Vietnam after centuries of attacks and occupation and invasion by the Chinese, Mongols, Khmers, French, Japanese and finally the Americans. By the time the Americans arrived here it seems the Vietnamese were so used to fighting off other countries that in their eyes they were never going to lose. But in the end the Americans have won really. Most people in Vietnam now speak English, many with American accents (almost none of the younger generation speak French). Vietnam is now opening its economy and becoming more capitalist. The people wear jeans, can watch MTV, and can eat at KFC. So the Americans did win in the end but they won with soft power not hard power. Such a shame that powerful countries don’t realise better how this works. Anyway, I liked Hanoi. I liked its vibrant street life, fascinating (although rather biased) museums and cheap, tasty food. And I was pleased to find a Czech pub and drink Velkopopovicky Kozel, although it made me realise how much I miss Czech beer.


From Hanoi I travelled overnight to Hue and spent a day on the Perfume River visiting temples and pagodas before moving on to Hoi An further down the coast. Hoi An is a pretty little town and I spent there longer than I originally planned to. I made some good friends there, and for the first time since I started travelling I was hanging around with other British lads, and really enjoying the banter. From Hoi An I travelled with my new friends further down the Vietnam’s elongated coastline to Nha Trang, where we spent a few days partying and taking mud baths and going on an island boat trip. Then I continued alone down to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where I visited the Cu chi Tunnels used in the war and spent a day wandering around this huge town.


From here I take a boat for a couple of days around the Mekong Delta and into Cambodia…

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Comments

[Baby! :-)]

Haaa! Czech beer!! Doesnt it remind you that you should come back soon? :-) Have fun! I wish I could travel with you more!

[kate]

and you didn't get any banter from hanging around with british girls?!!! Keep up the good work Paulino x

[anais france]

enjoy
enjoy to read your blog, i can that you spend good time, and do a lot of interesting things. have you bought a new camera? it 's also good to see you on the pictures. Im fine and i feel sad i dream to be travelling aeround the world like you. i have projects but never forget that you are lucky Paul. And never forget to come here after to do a trek.. Here the life is quite, i spent my tropical medecine examen and i wait for the resuluts, i work and when i have free time i try to walk on mountains but i feel pain in my knee;;; here the weather is not so good, it s raining everyday on the night.;; have a good trip to Cambodia;