Vietnam 101

‘Chao’ everyone! Just wanna share my experience during my Vietnam trips. Yup! 2 trips. Hehehe.

1.       1^st trip was in 2010 from 22 Jan to 27 Jan with my friends; R and S. This trip was more for leisure as we visited 2 cities; Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – southern Vietnam and Hanoi (northern Vietnam). We spent 3 nights in HCMC and 2 nights in Hanoi. HCMC and Hanoi were totally contrast in many ways from the people, the hospitality, the weather, the food, the buildings, the language.

2.       2^nd trip was this year (2011) between 29 Oct to 31 Oct. But the trip was more for non leisure as I went with the ‘Pemborong’ Group. I was looking for business opportunities; testing out what products might work and saleable here. Quite an eye-opening experience! The trip was OK but I am being me (in my T-shirt, short, and sunglasses as usual when I’m traveling). Hehehe! Segan juga lah coz I’m the only wearing short. But who cares. I am comfy with it anyway.

Ho Chi Minh City

HCMC: A view from above!

That’s the view of HCMC from above. You can see the Mekong River surrounded the city. HCMC dulu dikenali as Saigon but was renamed to HCMC in 1976. It is the largest city in Vietnam eclipsing even Hanoi (the capital city of Vietnam). Very busy city OK. I was told by the cab driver that there are about 6 million motorbikes in the city itself. And it’s counting. A total of 16 million motorbikes in Vietnam alone. Ayooo! Speaking of motorbikes, most of the motorists wear this stylish helmet but not necessarily ‘safety-friendly’ helmet like us Malaysian. Look at the craziness of the motorists. Siap bawa raga rotan and the worst part, besi. Ayooo!



Motorbikes at HCMC

Airports:

HCMC: Tan Son Nhat International Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport operates from two terminal buildings - Domestic Terminal 1 and International Terminal 2. The International Terminal is wayyyyyyy better than Domestic as the latter looks so run down, so gloomy even though it is just next to each other. Since Hanoi is quite far from HCMC, we decided to take a return flight. We took Jetstar to Hanoi. The experience was a bit funny as I saw a few weird characters in the plane.

1. A man who puked the moment the flight took off and the moment the plane landed. The whole plane can hear him puking. So freaking loud!
2. A man who wears a helmet throughout the journey.
3. A few people bring chicken (in a cage of course). I thought no animals allowed in the cabin. Hmmm! Interesting.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport, HCMC

Kat HCMC, there are a few places of attraction other than the famous, Chu Chi Tunnel. There is Bitexco Financial Tower (reminiscent of Menara TM. Hopefully not the same architect). And then there is Louis Vuitton building smack in the corner of District 1. Kelas HCMC pun ada building LV! And of course the markets like Ben Thanh Market, Bin Tay. Ben Thanh Market is a like a must visit place. It has day and night market.

Scenes from HCMC

Above are some of the scenes from HCMC. Top right is a craft centre. Most of the pekerja is actually handicapped as a result of the Vietnam War. Ada yang tak ada tangan. Ada yang tak ada kaki. So sad to look at. But their workmanship and craftsmanship are very good. In the picture, they are crafting the painting made of eggshells.


What I like most of Vietnam is the buildings too. With a little touch of colonialism meet Asian. Fusion-infused buildings. The colonial touch is more apparent in Hanoi compared to HCMC. Below is the pictures of buildings in HCMC.

Scenes from HCMC: Buildings

Cu Chi Tunnel

This tunnnel is a must visit place when you come to HCMC. Situated Northwest of HCMC in Cu Chi District. The tunnel dibina in 1955 and was used during the Vietnam War by Viet Cong as a hiding spot. Sampailah 1975. About 121km long. Ada booby trap with bamboo spikes macam pics below. There also have shooting range – but I did not try but R did. It was insanely loud and tense so I’m afraid to try it out. The noise from the gun shot was insanely loud. Couldn’t stand it. Wondered how it felt during the War. Thank God!

Chu Chi Tunnels

Food:

Vietnamese food is pretty authentic, very soupy. Banyak guna fish sauce, soy sauce, pickled. Masam2 kinda thing.And of course rice.yang popular obviously noodle, noodle soup (chicken pho), sticky rice, and wrap thingie. Ada a few muslim restaurants in HCMC: Restoran Shamsuddin, Kak Zaidah, VN Halal. Ada yang kita boleh call and order to be sent to our hotel. Let's not forget about the coffee. Boleh minum hot or cold. Dua2 sedap. I bought the coffee and the coffee maker too. The smell of the coffee is so unique and different from our Starbucks Coffee or Tongkat Ali. Should try it.

F&B

Hanoi

1,760 km to the north of HCMC. Capital city of Vietnam. It is very scenic and panoramic with lots of colonial buildings. Bring your camera and snap as many pictures possible. It was cold when we went there. So check the weather before u plan to visit Hanoi. Else you may need to buy sweaters or jackets. Wake up early to watch the people exercise by Hoan Kiem Lake (It’s the same scenario in HCMC too.)

Halong Bay, to the north of Hanoi, is one place that you should visit. About 2,000 limestone karsts. The view is just spectacular. I feel like I was taken away to a secluded place surrounded with big stones and ‘weird looking stones’ along the bay. Funny thing is was the time when this one Vietnamese lady who is the boat’s helper, suddenly told to my face ‘Dog’ (literally to my face OK). Of course I’m so furious that I said ‘What Dog?’. She was actually pointing to a stone whose shape looked like a dog. I am so maluuuu (ashamed).

OId Quarter – stay in this area and capture the pics of colonial buildings.

Hanoi

Halong Bay

Pictures of some of the hotels that I've stayed in Vietnam:

1. Sophia Hotel, 36 - 38 Thai Van Lung

C/In: 22 Jan

C/Out: 24 Jan

1 room triple sharing (2 nite)

RM566.58 for 3 pax ~ RM188.86 each (RM94.43 per nite)

2. Hanoi Luxor Hotel, 59 Hang Cot, Vietnam

C/In: 24 Jan

C/Out: 26 Jan

1 room triple sharing (2 nite)

RM511.99 for 3 pax ~ RM170.66 each (RM85 per nite)

3. An Tam Hotel, Near Ben Thanh Market Area.

Waking distance from Ben Thanh Market less than 2 minute. Tersangatlah dekat.

Hotels

Some tips:

1. Change RM to USD and also Vietnam Dong siap2 before you go to Vietnam. Try Mid Valley moneychanger or around Masjid India area. The rates for Masjid area are slightly better than Mid Valley.

2. When shopping, the shops do accept RM. But if you are bargaining, ask for the prices in each currencies i.e. RM, USD, Dong. Only then you decide which currencies gave you the best price for the item(s) that you wanna buy.

3. Avoid street hawkers as they may rip you off.

4. Bring your ear plugs if you can’t stand the sound of motorbikes horns.

5. Bring face mask since it may get dusty esp. during non-rainy season.

6. Get the hotels to arrange any trips / transports or go to a proper travel agencies in case u wanna visit touristy places. Try to go to a few agencies coz the offering and the rates might each be different.

7. In my experience, Hanoi people are generally not as hospitable as those in HCMC. So, don't expect niceness in Hanoi. 

8. Try the local coffee if you are a coffee lover.

9. If you haven't booked any accommodation, there are plenty hotels around Ben Thanh Market. Or alternatively, you should try agoda (www.agoda.com.my).