Vietnam?

So we are still in Vietnam, and it is a crazy crazy place. Its hard to really sum it up in a little blog post, but basically because its emerging from communist economic control and rapidly developing in certain areas you have these massive swings from western hospitality to bananas asian people doing ridiculous things. Then there is the banners and propaganda, the oppression of certain groups, the corruption stories, unfair nepotism contrasted with the cheap cheap prices for good food, nice hotels that are clean and friendly, really cheap awesome tours, a few nice scenery spots... the list goes on and on.

In Ha Long bay we had a great boat with nice people, a good crew, good food etc. Not to mention amazing scenery.


We spent 2 days in Hanoi after the tour, and it was quite funny how initially the traffic and motorbikes were completely overwhelming, yet after 2 nights we were bored with our lame tourist area and the most brutal city sights I've ever seen. Temples were so run down and pointless because they dont put up any english signs, the taxi driver and rickshaw guy both tried to rip us off like we were morons, and the Ho Chi Mihn Masoleum happened to be closed on a Friday (which was our fault I guess). The same nights though we had several awesome meals and walked a ton.



After Hanoi we went to Sapa. Now I blame Frommer's and Trip Advisor for this cock up, as they list it as a cant miss. Its advertised everywhere in town, but me being determined to not sign up for a tourist tour we sought out a private gudie who was highly rated and boarded the overnight train for 9 hours. Of course on the train we get the old Veitnamese man who made disgusting mouth and spitting noises all night. Luckily Jess didnt kill him because I wouldnt want to do time here, thats for sure. So having not slept we got off the train to find 2 other people who had also booked 'private' tours with the same guide as us. Flustered we had a Pho breakfast in an unheated awkward restaurant until our guide showed up and broke the news that he had double booked (intentionally). But what seemed like total crap and lying at first turned out to be one of the biggest blessings of the trip. The couple we did the tour with just happened to be awesome Londoners, and we hung out several times since both in Hanoi and Hoi An.



It was very foggy for the trip and the scenery wasnt too great because of it. In hindsight I guess it was just the wrong time of year to go. All in all though because its been a week the downsides have faded and I just remember that it was a change of pace from the comfortable travelling we are used to, and a good experience overall. Jess loved it too. lol...




After Sapa and another overnight train we treated ourselves to a flight to Hue instead of another overnight train (15 hours). On the plane we sat beside a "Battlefield Tours" group of Vietnam vets and their wives, and boy did they have some choice lines. "Where'd all them trees come from," I heard one of them say to 3 different people at 3 different times. I guess he was an airforce vet who dropped a lot of napalm on Hue during one of the big battles. Another less obnoxious guy confessed he was looking forward to seeing Khe Sang, this time with less adrenealine. Seriously cant imagine!



We did a tour ourselves of the DMZ area with a guide and walked the Citadel by ourselves. The DMZ was very interesting and the Citadel is very partially rebuilt, but there wasnt much to see. The museum's in the DMZ zone though are a treat on their own. They are so slanted and contrived its just stunning. Also intersting and unseen to tourists is the brutal treatment they give the South Vietnamese army vets. It might be one country on the map, and on the surface everyone has Ho Chi Mihn pictures up everywhere, but thats just because you have to. Its still two countries as far as I can see. Not to mention the young people have USA army stickers on a lot of their motorbikes. I dont think they are that disconnected to just have it on there because they like the "brand name" or colours, can they?



Now we are in Hoi An and just yesterday dropped a lot of money at a custom tailor. They are world famous and have a ton of awesome reviews, so our hopes are high. We had our first fitting today, and we were both blown away. Jess got 2 blazers, 2 very nice coats, and a pant suit/skirt combo. I got 2 suits, 2 coats, and 5 dress shirts. All looked almost perfect, but are getting tweaked overnight for another fitting tomorrow morning. Then that night its off to Nha Trang for some relaxing beach time. Looking forward to it!!

Having just looking back through pictures to post in this blog I see we also had fun at the Vihn Moc Tunnels (incredible, went to the beach in Hoi An,