Vietnam 1999

A few hints to a 2 week long trip through Vietnam

Journey

Two weeks Saigon, Mekong Delta, Dalat and Nha Trang.

Passport and photocopies

In Vietnam everything is changing fast. Many guidebooks mention that you have to bring copies of passport and additional passphotos with you. There is no need. The only places where you need a passport are hotel, bank and airport. Leave your passport at the hotel reception, they require it. And by the way, you might hardly ever see any police.

Traffic

Traffic in Vietnam is unique. Streets are packed with motorbikes and bicycles. They move like pedestrians in a mall, criss-crossing all everywhere. If you have to cross a street, close your eyes and walk slowly. You will see, it works.

Money

Everything is amazingly cheap. A simple meal for two persons including beer and Coke costs about four dollars. A double room with bath, towels, aircon, tv and fridge in the centre of Saigon costs about 15 USD. A three day trip through Mekong Delta costs about 30 USD excluding meals. Bring an old suitcase with you and buy a Rucksack there. They cost about 50 USD and are good quality. I should not mention the CDs, they are all pirated editions for about 2 USD.

Arriving in Vietnam

If you arrive in Vietnam, taxi drivers try to bring you to 'their' hotels. Insist to get dropped at Sinh Cafe, unless you're booked. It is the travellers centre and there are lots of hotels and guesthouses around.

Phone calls

Everything seems to be cheap in Vietnam, phoning is not. I had to phone twice to Europe and both three minute calls cost me about 20 USD each. In fact I used private suppliers near Sinh Cafe. And they all know how to get even more money out of your wallet. One call was one second over the minute. So I had to pay the full minute. The second time I did not hang up correctly. Avoid them, if you can and phone from a post office. Opening times are until midnight.

Accomodation

In Saigon try Hoang Linh Hotel. It is good value for 15 USD a double room. It is two doors away from Sinh Cafe. E-mail: hoanglinhhotel@hcm.vnn.vn

Do not miss

• The absolute highlight is a trip to Mekong Delta. Try to book for at least three days. The more time you can spend in a boat, the better. It is amazing how people live 'with' the river.
• The Delta trip and Cu Chi tunnels gives you an understanding of what happened in the American (Vietnam) war. But there is still no explanation.
• Dalat is worth a visit if you want to see how locals spend their holidays. Respect their way of amusement (it is their country) and you will enjoy it.
• Nha Trang was sightseeing for us rather than beach holiday. It was pouring down day and night. So, we had a swim in the rain anyway.There is a beautiful pagoda behind Long Son Pagoda. It is surrounded by dense jungle situated on top of a hill with beautiful view down to the rice paddies and palm tree forests. Ask fo Ho, he will bring you there, because it is not easy to find the way there on your own.He will show you where to take pictures putting himself into position. If you give him a few thousand dong for the one hour excursion, he will be pleased.