Vietnam the first steps…
Well.
that’s it, after such a long time, I finally have reached the land of my grand dad which is Vietnam.
as always I will look at things with a critical eye and tell the world what are the good or bad things you will encounter in this country.
I am just arrived in Saigon (ho chi minh city) and the only thing I can tell you right now is the first impression and an opinion of my experience on arrival.
let’s start with the airport:
inside the airport everything is quiet, clean and properly organized. I have noticed that there were only very few facilities such as duty free shops and restaurant but this was in the arrival area, so there might be more in other part of the airport!?
passport check: the immigration was no problem but I could feel that everyone was a bit tense due to the legendary annoying customs of Vietnam. anyways once the guy has properly check your passport and visas you are off with your trolley and go to pick up your luggage. once done you move toward the exit and this is where the fun starts :O)
As soon as the triple glazed automatic doors opens, A super loud noise from the outside world is breaking your ears at once. About a few hundreds people are screaming in front of the barriers (holding them getting to close to the entrance) waiting to propose you a taxi, an hotel or anything they can come up with. I soon as you reach the crowd the struggled begins. if you want a good tip, just ignore everyone and walk away as if you were waiting for your own transport. that give you enough time to negotiate a taxi ride and escape quickly. by the way, there is one thing you need to know if your are going to Vietnam: “virtually no one speaks English or understand it”.
as an example if you tell a taxi driver: “I want this price” or “use the taxi meter please” or anything. it is most likely that the guy will say: “yes yes!”. just so that you get in the car. just be very careful with that otherwise it will lead you straight away to confusion and annoyances on your first day.
the best way is the good old pen and paper (bring one because nobody will have any).
especially for prices. write down the amount you want and agree with the driver before getting in the car! Once this is done, at least you find yourself on your way to the city enjoying the ride..
if you are a backpacker you will head to pham gu lao were there are virtually hundreds of hotel options. most of the hotels are going for around 10 dollars a night and are all clean and proper. I will even rate the hotels as: “couples friendly” meaning that you can bring your girlfriend along without worrying. each rooms have at least a big bed, clean sheets, towels, tv and air co.(in some cases you will have a balcony)
one thing i have learn the hard way is: don’t take a room on the street side because it is so noisy that you will have difficulty to sleep.
Actually I should mention that this is something you will live with in any major city in vietnam. the Vietnamese people all have motorbikes and use them a lot. of courses you’ll find tons of cars and buses as well. but the worse thing is the traffic, it is so chaotic that everyone love to use the horn as a way of signaling. just try to imagine a town with at least 5 million motorbikes and car using their horn at the same time. that makes for a hell of a noise.
to be continued..
