Travel: A Quick Stop in Vietnam

I would give Vietnam a solid 8 out of 10 score for old-single-guy places to visit.  It is easy to find fun and interesting, the geographic scenery is great, the food is wonderful and everything is impossibly cheap.

Planning for my  journey to Vietnam started the day before I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.   A cancelled flight stranded me in Guangzhou.  I was trying to get to Taiwan for a meeting, but without a working airplane, I missed the meeting and found myself with a week of free time.   I had never been to Vietnam, so why not?   My iPad connected me to a service that guaranteed a visa in 4 hours.  6 hours later,
the visa arrived, I bought an air ticket and was ready to go the next morning.    My knowledge of Vietnam was mostly based on Forest Gump -- there most be a lot of jungle and
water full of shrimp.   A quick glance at a map indicates there must be a load of beach front property.

After I arrived, cleared immigration and jumped in a taxi, I quickly learned Vietnam has the crazy traffic.  Motorbikes on top of motorbikes all in a lawless rush.   Travel by bus or car was simply choked to a crawl as the motorbikes filled every open space on the road and some of the space on the sidewalk.   Even walking around town is challenged at every street crossing by motorbikes that only slow for stop lights, rarely stop.    My first few attempts at street crossing on foot where nerve racking and intimidating.   After 6 days of practice, I could move into the chaotic flow and even enjoyed the adrenaline surge felt with each death defying crossing. 

Ho Chi Mihn City was busy like an ant hill.   It felt economically energized and vibrant.  However the buildings seemed a bit old and beat up.   There is no flood of new construction like any city in China and no subway.   Mass transit is clearly those motorbikes. 

The big show in town seems to be the markets.   Like many places in Asia, small shops and vendors are everywhere selling anything from food to designer copy products.   After a good argument, prices can get pretty low.    There are a few points of interest such as the Imperial Palace and the War Remnants museum that are worth a visit.   

Ho Chi Minh is a great launching point for other places of interest in Vietnam.   I jumped to Nha Trang, a smallish city with a well regarded beach, crazy traffic and a great market.   I met an incredible tour guide there and stayed 3 days.  The first day we walked around town, visited the beach, shopped at the market.   The 2nd day we decided to jump in -- rented a bike built for 2 from a guy standing on a street corner -- $2 for the day.   The 3rd day we rented a motorbike, $8 for the day, and I saw every bit of that city.  I quickly learned the traffic rules -- basically don't stop.   Since I survived the day, it was great.  

Nha Trang

Han:  The Perfect Tour Guide

Nha Trang had a number of great sites to visit, but the majestic environment was most memorable -- a beautiful beach, an active harbor, majestic mountains, lush jungle and open farm land.  The hotel was great and the food was wonderful, all at incredibly low prices.  Living large on less than $100 a day. 

Great Food at Impossibly Low Prices

I Could Fly Back Just to Eat This Again

I will go back soon.   I barely scratched the surface of this wonderful country.