vacation to vietnam

[chorb]

Just booked my ticket to Vietnam for 2 weeks in september. Going with a few friends, 2 of whom are Vietnamese (born in US) and one speaks the language fluently. I'm as white as you can get so I'm sure I'll stick out like a tourist for sure, while they might be able to get by.

Anyway, has anyone been there? Anything in particular to see or do?, we are going to work out way from Hanoi down to Ho Chi Minh over the two weeks; just planning it as we go. We have a few things in mind like Kim Boi hot springs, visit the "soup lady" from when Anthony Bourdain went on his show "No Reservations".

Any suggestions welcome, even stupid ones.

 

[lxskllr]

BoomerD's been there :^D

 

[Ns1]

vietnamese food from SoCal > vietnamese food in vietnam

this is fact.


go to HCM tunnels. Shoot AK's. Lots of pretty scenery in the north; long ass drive though through 3rd world country roads.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Look up a guy named Charley everybody knows him, real cool guy

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: Ns1
vietnamese food from SoCal > vietnamese food in vietnam

this is fact.

troof.

there's like a billion tourists in vietnam. you'll just be another.

the soup lady is overrated. well, actually, there's a billion soup ladies.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Beware of the feces covered glass bombs :thumbsup:

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: LS21

Originally posted by: Ns1
vietnamese food from SoCal > vietnamese food in vietnam

this is fact.

troof.

there's like a billion tourists in vietnam. you'll just be another.

the soup lady is overrated. well, actually, there's a billion soup ladies.

Yea, the food in socal is better. The only thing better in vietnam is the stuff you usually can't get here, like some of the more local fruits. Mangosteen is delicious if you visit the mountain region. Iono if they're in season right now.

They're still going to overcharge you and your vietnamese friends. I was born there and they can tell since you don't walk don't talk like they do.

You guys married?

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: LS21

Originally posted by: Ns1
vietnamese food from SoCal > vietnamese food in vietnam

this is fact.

troof.

there's like a billion tourists in vietnam. you'll just be another.

the soup lady is overrated. well, actually, there's a billion soup ladies.

Yea, the food in socal is better. The only thing better in vietnam is the stuff you usually can't get here, like some of the more local fruits. Mangosteen is delicious if you visit the mountain region. Iono if they're in season right now.

They're still going to overcharge you and your vietnamese friends. I was born there and they can tell since you don't walk don't talk like they do.

You guys married?

ah yes, the life of viet kieu! You can find mangosteens in socal =D

 

[legcramp]

Originally posted by: Ns1
vietnamese food from SoCal > vietnamese food in vietnam

this is fact.


go to HCM tunnels. Shoot AK's. Lots of pretty scenery in the north; long ass drive though through 3rd world country roads.

This is true, the PHO over here is wayyyyy better surprisingly.

 

[LS21]

no surprise, the ingredients are higher quality here. sanitation, equipment, and such arent too good over there

 

[Regs]

Are they real strict on drug smugglers?

 

[cdan]

Visit a Vietnam War battleground.

 

[axelfox]

Originally posted by: Regs
Are they real strict on drug smugglers?

Nah, they just cut off your hand if you get caught smuggling a couple of ounces.

Do the typical touristy things, like sightseeing. One thing for sure is to head out to Ha Long Bay up in the north. If can get it, try to get fresh free range chicken.

Don't be surprised if the locals are rude and nosy because they are .

 

[MovingTarget]

John McCain?

 

[Circlenaut]

Originally posted by: LS21
no surprise, the ingredients are higher quality here. sanitation, equipment, and such arent too good over there

My Wife went there earlier this summer. She had to cut her 1 month vacation 2 weeks earlier because she started feeling horrible, got skin rashes and developed an infection. One month after coming back to the US, some antibiotics and she's back to normal.

The interesting thing is, before she left, she was very exited about going. She's been gunning to go for 3 years now. After she came back "I'm not going back to that shit hole for a long long time"

Her advice is, be very VERY careful with what you eat.

 

[imported_Imp]

Don't try the mopeds...

 

[LS21]

bahahhaha

 

[herkulease]

Does your friends have any relatives back there? They'll can probably help them out some more. they'll less likely to pay the tourist rate. But I've notice over time they've dropped that. Atleast for Vietnamese. but you're white prepare to pay the White American rate.

the perk of being white though is that the hotel employees at the fancier ones practically bow down to you. While if you're vietnamese(even if you're paying for the rooms) they are like who are you again. Its stupid really. But at least when I made a stink of it they gave me free night.

Of course there's no set price on anything, except at the fancier malls that are like those in the US. You'll figure out which is which. Wait till almost closing time and then deal away. But still let your friends or their relatives bargain. Even if you bargain you're still paying way more for it.

Travel by car anywhere is as someone said hideously slow. While they have what we would call expressways, they drive so slow. they top out @ about 40 mph.

If you spend money staying at hotels/resort as if they are in the US you wouldn't even notice its a 3rd world country.

Oh serving sizes are pretty small over there.

Girls won't come after you. They are busy hanging around old men.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
BoomerD's been there :^D

I have a sneaking suspicion things have changed a bit since I was there last...

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Look up a guy named Charley everybody knows him, real cool guy

I knew Charlie very well...VERY well...

 

[Svnla]

OP, I have been to Vietnam several times and speak the native langue fluently. I will be back again next Lunar New Year <February of 2010>.

First of all, watch out for pickpockets. You don't have to worry about violent crimes but small time thieves are a concern, especially since you are white <scream out..tourist/foreigner> and watch out for beggars. Don't drink the water, especially the ice. Drink from bottle water <make sure it is still sealed>. Bring some medicine for digestive problems just in case.

Always bargain with the exception at the supermarket/mall. Let your friends do the bargainning for you.

I can help you with HCM, never been to Ha Noi. I recommend Ben Thanh Market, Cho Lon Market <China town>, Indepence Palace <you can get inside for a tour>, Notre Dame Catheral and the mall near by it <can't remember the name but it is in green color, American War Museum, Nguyen Hue Street area and the riverfront, especially at night.

Try to go to Ben Thanh market after dark, it would transform into restaurant sections at night, very neat.

Ns1, it is Cu Chi tunnels, not HCM. Cu Chi is outside of HCM.

The things about the foods are the portions are much bigger in the States..ie. large bowl of Pho in VN is about the medium size in the States. The fruits and vegetables are much fresher and taste better. You can see live fishes swim around in tanks, you can pick the one you like and they will cook it for you while you watch.

Don't get your US dollars exchange to VN Dongs at the official locations/banks, try to get them at the jewelry stores, you can get a much better rate. Try to bring crisp US$100 bill, you will be glad you did.

Oh, watch out for girls in pairs on motorbikes with offer of cheap massages. Don't fall for it.

Last but not least, watch out for traffic. Look at my old thread with pics = http://forums.anandtech.com/me...305884&highlight_key=y

Anything else you want to know, just ask me.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: LS21

Originally posted by: Ns1
vietnamese food from SoCal > vietnamese food in vietnam

this is fact.

troof.

there's like a billion tourists in vietnam. you'll just be another.

the soup lady is overrated. well, actually, there's a billion soup ladies.

Yea, the food in socal is better. The only thing better in vietnam is the stuff you usually can't get here, like some of the more local fruits. Mangosteen is delicious if you visit the mountain region. Iono if they're in season right now.

They're still going to overcharge you and your vietnamese friends. I was born there and they can tell since you don't walk don't talk like they do.

You guys married?

ah yes, the life of viet kieu! You can find mangosteens in socal =D

I guess I can't say much since I came to the US when I was about 5, so I speak with a foreigner's accent. You can, but they're not as good! The fresh ones are sooo much better.

Originally posted by:
Oh, watch out for girls in pairs on motorbikes with offer of cheap massages. Don't fall for it.

I'm guessing this involves theft of some sort? Haven't seen it, but I've only been back once.

 

[SupaDupaPan]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: LS21

Originally posted by: Ns1
vietnamese food from SoCal > vietnamese food in vietnam

this is fact.

troof.

there's like a billion tourists in vietnam. you'll just be another.

the soup lady is overrated. well, actually, there's a billion soup ladies.

Yea, the food in socal is better. The only thing better in vietnam is the stuff you usually can't get here, like some of the more local fruits. Mangosteen is delicious if you visit the mountain region. Iono if they're in season right now.

They're still going to overcharge you and your vietnamese friends. I was born there and they can tell since you don't walk don't talk like they do.

You guys married?

ah yes, the life of viet kieu! You can find mangosteens in socal =D

I can't for the life of me, find any GINORMOUS (like the size of a tire) super salty rice paper though other than in the little villages in Vietnam. Any recommendations guru of food? lol

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: SupaDupaPan

I can't for the life of me, find any GINORMOUS (like the size of a tire) super salty rice paper though other than in the little villages in Vietnam. Any recommendations guru of food? lol

lol, sorry can't say I've seen those around =P

you still don't remember who i am? lol

 

[SupaDupaPan]

White...mike?

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: SupaDupaPan
White...mike?

yeah, that one =P except now I'm (mostly) white on the inside AND outside