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Trip Report/Impressions- Saigon

tristanbaldwin

By + tristanbaldwin
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Despardo Mentor

Despardo

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I had a GREAT experience in Viet Nam. Saigon was a revelation! I expected to be intimidated by Saigon, but instead I found a vibrant modern city, remarkably safe, comfortable and friendly. Hanoi is a bit more gritty--I think the south is more prosperous than the north. Other cities I liked are Hue, Nha Trang, Hoi An and Dalat.

 

Vietnam Air is an excellent airline.

 

The food is sensational. Food, accommodations and cabs here are incredibly cheap.

 

My experience was that the population is extremely friendly to Americans and amazingly forgiving considering the damage we inflicted on that country. Relations with the US are very good these days and their economy is on a roll. For a communist country, the whole place is a seething hotbed of capitalist activity.

 

Not much "action" in Saigon--it is no Bangkok in that regard.

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whipped guy Grand Master

whipped guy

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Great update! Having seen your intineary I was quite curious (as I would assume others were as well) about the region, the food, etc. Very informative and your mini travelogue painted the perfect picture of the city and its people.

 

We can now add travel consultant to his other talents...

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whipped guy Grand Master

whipped guy

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I'm concerened about one thing. Tristan notes that the gym facilities at the hotel are a joke and that he has so far not really seen a gym in the country. Given his dedication to working out, let's hope that the big guy (not to mention AJ) does not waste away to nothing while he is there... :) Somehow I doubt that will happen. ;) Plus, one often makes their biggest gains after cooling things for a short while. So I don't think that there should be any worries!

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bigvalboy Grand Master

bigvalboy

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let's hope that the big guy (not to mention AJ) does not waste away to nothing while he is there... :) Somehow I doubt that will happen.

He and AJ are roomies?

http://www.3d-animated-gifs.com/freebie-animated-gifs/characters-emotion-themes/emotigal-fainting-t-w-yram-copyright.gif

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AdamSmith Grand Master

AdamSmith

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He and AJ are roomies?

http://www.3d-animated-gifs.com/freebie-animated-gifs/characters-emotion-themes/emotigal-fainting-t-w-yram-copyright.gif

Almost like bringing too much U235 together in one place...! :eek:

 

http://www.deskpicture.com/DPs/Miscellaneous/AtomicBlast.jpg

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WilliamM Grand Master

+ WilliamM

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I spent a year in Vietnam in the military in 1968-1969. My brigade's forward position was on the eastern side of Saigon. I drove through Saigon in a jeep many times and often stopped for lunch at French restaurants in the city and Chinese restaurants in Cholon.

 

Thoughts about returning: I would want to see as much as possible, but that would take many weeks. My preference would be to return to Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand or Australia.

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trav05 Contributor

trav05

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True mike Cary . My BF is Vietnamese and we spend time in Hanoi. I have an advantage as he speaks the language and understands the money, so getting around is not an issue. Being an American is never a problem. I've been to all the war museums and the Vietnamese people have let the past go a long time ago. You will see many older Americans coming back for visits.

It's true finding a gym is difficult. Bigger western hotels are still the best bet. But the economy is starting to grow and I'm sure gyms will start happening soon as youth starts getting better jobs. Discretionary spending is going to electronic gadgets now. This is opening a new world to the newer generations.

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Lance_Navarro Proficient

+ Lance_Navarro

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We loved Hanoi & Hoi An, Saigon was nice, but a little too much like being back in the west with all of the KFC's and Starbucks. We did an overnight Halong Bay cruise which was absolutely beautiful. We also spent 4 days in Siem Reap, Cambodia which was actually our favorite city of the 4. Crossing the streets in Saigon is quite an experience. I'll post a video that I took in another post.

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Despardo Mentor

Despardo

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We loved Hanoi & Hoi An, Saigon was nice, but a little too much like being back in the west with all of the KFC's and Starbucks. We did an overnight Halong Bay cruise which was absolutely beautiful. We also spent 4 days in Siem Reap, Cambodia which was actually our favorite city of the 4. Crossing the streets in Saigon is quite an experience. I'll post a video that I took in another post.

More motorbikes than I thought existed. They do try not to hit you, but it is unnerving. Don't know how Starbucks can compete with Highland Coffee (the local chain.) Yes, Siem Reap is terrific! So is Phnom Penh. Don't pass up Cambodia if you are in the region.

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tristanbaldwin Proficient

+ tristanbaldwin

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We've been hanging out a bit in the backpacker district, forgot what it's called, but cabs seem to know where you want to go regardless of pronounciation. Apparently English is mandatory from elementary school on up, but the disparity in quality between rural schools and urban schools differs greatly.

 

We did a private tour- the two of us with one guide, up to the Chu Chi tunnels and the Mekong, and it was fantastic...our young Twink guide's English was the best of anyone we've encountered in Vietnam. tourism and guide services is actually a profession studied in college over here- and whatever role these people have in society, they take it to the fullest. Really a fascinating place.

 

We head up to Nha Trang to surf tomorrow, for 3 days, then Hanoi. And you're right- these people are pretty forgiving considering what we did here...since in the grand scheme of things, was Vietnam really that strategic of a place to fight over? Or just another square on the monopoly board of freedom vs democracy?

 

My thesis paper is MS 302 was on Vietnam as a testing bed for technology; not strategic importance. (Helicoptor/Air Mobile Assault; composite weapons and the M-16; combating guerrila warfare, the air to air missle replacing ' gunfighter 'airplanes, etc.

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WilliamM Grand Master

+ WilliamM

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I would ignore previous ideas about Vietnam and plan any visit as just a chance to see the country as it is now. It's not the country that our service men saw in the 60s.

 

I still have two very close Army friends from my year in Vietnam. I wish I had a few more, but it did not happen. My friend from St. Louis was a grunt; I can not imagine him ever going back. My friend from the state of Washington was civic action specialist did go back. Of the three of us. I was the only one who was drafted. Most days during my year in Vietnam, I wondered how I let myself get into this situation. With due respect, Mike, I know only too well

that it's not the country that our service men saw in the 60s.

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