Vietnam
by Natasha Langham
There is a hidden jewel in the crown of South East Asia that delights the traveler with unexpected treasures. It is a place where the smiles are genuine and warm, the food delights the palate and bargains still abound. While the past has been often turbulent, the future is bright and daily life continues much in the same way as decades gone by. The place to visit is Vietnam and the best time to go is now!
Armed with many preconceptions about the country, hotels and attitude of the locals, I can happily say every single one was shattered. Vietnam had everything a destination could offer and exceeded every expectation. Before breaking into an off key version of “ My Favourite Things”, it rates up there with the best holiday experiences. While the tourism industry in Vietnam is generally still in it’s infancy, here is a place going off like a frog in a sock!
Getting There and Getting Around:
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For the best way to maximize travel time in Vietnam, look for an airline that permits an "Open Jaw". This means flying into one city and out of another, such as flying into Saigon and out of Hanoi. Many of the Asian carriers like Malaysian, Singapore, Thai and Vietnam Airlines permit this on a normal discounted ticket. Airlines like Malaysian, Singapore and Thai also often offer great stopover deals as an incentive to stop in their respective home city and this can be combined to increase the relaxation factor Once in Vietnam, there is a range of options to get around the countryside. Self-drive is not a recommended, as not using the horn is considered a breach in road rules. It also takes nerves of steel, patience of a saint and courage of a gladiator. In fact crossing the road is an art form in itself that involves the same sort of fortitude when facing a wall of moving scooters. Walk slowly and confidently and follow an elderly person. Local transport leaves much to be desired and is actually illegal for the drivers to convey foreigners. There are mini buses that operate between cities and these are certainly more orientated to the "how to travel on USD $5 per day crowd". Trains in Vietnam are another great way to get around as long as expectations are not for the complexity of the European network. The standard of trains vary from the ultra modern to the very non-modern. Be prepared for a check in system that defies all logic. Internal flights are reasonably priced to cover some of the longer distances between cities, but will often require a taxi ride from the airport to destination. For the most part the combination of the airfare and the taxis will not break the bank and will get you to your destination much faster. Vietnam Airlines are the national carrier and to be honest, they are a reasonable airline. Keep in mind that reconfirming flights with them is a must as schedules do change with out any notice While the majority of the departure taxes are paid upfront with the international ticket, Vietnam does require certain taxes to be paid locally. Domestic flights tend to attract a tax of USD$1-$2, and the international departure tax out of Hanoi was USD$10. Although this does seem to vary depending on the mood of the security staff. For the most part - with a few weeks holiday to spare - take an organized tour and let someone else worry about the connections and the transfers. Sit back and enjoy the well-earned break! |
