Final Thoughts on Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
May 12, 2009
Metered taxis - the best of times, the worst of times (they love to take the scenic route)
Wide sidewalks - nice to walk on when the motorbikes are not driving on them or are parked on them
The cities are very similar to European cities (love Ho Chi Minh City - HCMC)
Nice to see some European and North American cars
For the first time, in HCMC we had ladies in the market grabbing our arms to buy t-shirts
They have great imported apples from New Zealand
You can buy brand names like BeBe, Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Cartier, Nike Golf,... (for real and fake)
Great stores for tailored shoes and clothes in Hoi An
Clean streets
HCMC - great for Bill - fresh beer in the am; great for me - free green tea iced tea without sugar
Like displaying captured and destroyed American weapons and vehicles
In museums they are very anti-French and -American
Hoi An is a great tourist destination
Huey is nothing special, but the tombs are worth checking out
Haloung Bay is spectacular
Hanoi is a great city, lots to see and do
Vietnam is a great place to visit, but keep on guard, the people are shysters
Words to know:
Good-bye - tam biet
How much? - bao nhieu tien (bow new tnien)
Too expensive (very important) - dat qua (north), mac qua (south)
Hello - Sin jow
Please - lam ern
Thank you - Cam ern (Cam Oun)
Discount please - lam ern zam za
1 - moan
2 - hi
3 - ba
4 - bone
5 - lumb
6 - sow
7 - buay
8 - tam
9 - chin
10 -muay
Cheers - Shin My