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In Reply to: vietnam posted by susie on March 16, 2005 at 18:37:04:
VACCINATIONS
Most important are Japanese Encephalitis, Hep A and B. At this late date, if you're not vaccinated, see if you can get the oral packages for "tourist diarrhea" which includes typhoid, cholera, salmonella, rabies and more. Also you should have your tetanus shots. Since you've lived in Thailand, I probably wouldn't worry about your immune system being weak, so if any of that is a hassle, don't let it scare you. Just enjoy your trip! Bring Malaria tablets with you the kind for the resisitant strains they have there, but don't take them as prevention, cos they'll make you sick. Just pop some if you show any symptoms.
TRAVELER'S HEALTH KIT
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/travelers-health-kit.htm
PHONES
Cellular network coverage is good.
SHOPPING
Shopping is good, cheaper than Cambodia Loas or Thailand.
Some good buys are tailor made leather goods like shoes and jackets, imitation designer winter jackets, lamps.
WHAT TO DO
If you are doing the whole country.
-Soak up the nuseums, markets, pagodas and endless culinary and nightlife delights of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
-Take a boat trip on the emerald waters of Halong Bay (near Hanoi in the north) and cruise among the 3000 plus stunning islets and grottoes
-Halong Bay, with its 3000 islands rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of Vietnam's natural marvels. The islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and waves. Hang Dau Go is the most impressive grotto, a huge cave of three chambers. Ha Long means 'where the dragon descended into the sea', and refers to a legend about a dragon who created the bay and islands with its flailing tail. There's a modern legendary creature, the Tarasque, said to haunt the area. Taking a tour of the bay is the main activity here; book one in Hanoi.
-Witness the breathtaking mountain scenery of north-western Vietnam, home of the countriy's most diverse and colorul hilltribes
-Hop on a boat down the Perfume River or motorbike out to see the majestic Royal TOmbs around Hué (central Vietnam)
-Linger in the charming old-world atmosphere of Hoi An (Faifo, central Vietnam)
-Island hop or scuba dive in the turquoise waters of Na Thrang (south central Vietnam)
-Explore the pine-forested hills, lakes and waterfalls, cultivated valleys and tourist kitsch of Dalat (south Vietnam)
INTERESTING RELIGION : CAODAI SECT
found lots of info on an indigenous vietnamese religion called CaoDai. I think this must be it. Apparently one ofthe famous temples is reachable from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city)
What is CaoDai-ism?
http://www.caodai.org/pages/?pageID=6
Some pictures of their strange symbolism
http://www.abc.net.au/built/stories/s1143931.htm
Some day tours from Saigon
http://www.destination-asia.com/html/saigon.htm
from above link:
SGN08 Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple with Lunch (9.5 hours)
The Cao Dai religion is unique to Vietnam and is a blend of both ancient and modern beliefs. The Great Temple at Tay Ninh is the centre of the religion, demonstrated by an exotic temple, often likened to something from Disneyland! Here followers of this eclectic religion worship saints such as Victor Hugo, Joan of Arch and even Shakespeare. A highlight of this tour is the very colourful yet formal service held at midday, which you are welcome to observe. Following the service, continue on to lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon stop at Cu Chi where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. . See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering - some are easily accessed by stairs. We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty!
RAINY SEASON
May is a rainy season in the North of Vietnam, whereas the South is in between sunny and monsoons that same month.
AIRPORT TAXES
Vietnamese airport departure tax applies to both domestic and international flights.
International flights: Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) 12 US dollars
Tan Son Nhat Airport (HCMC) 12 US dollars
Domestic flights: Major airports* 20,000 Vietnamese dong
Other airports** 10,000 Vietnamese dong
* Includes Noi Bai, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Tan Son Nhat airports.
** Includes Hue, Nha Trang, Da Lat, etc. airports.
RULES ABOUT ACCOMODATION
Your tourist status dos not allow you to stay overnight at a vietnamese's house. You must stay in a hotel, not any hotel , only the ones which got the official agreement to welcome foreigners. You may find in Sai Gon some family run guest houses. These guest houses have been previously registered and are allowed to welcome foreigners (they will give your passport and visa number to the police every night as if you were staying in a hotel) . Again : you are not allowed to stay overnight in a vietnamese's home. The law actually does not prohibits foreigners to stay overnight if the local police and the village or city authority have been informed first and delivered a permit. In fact, no one in the police will endorse the responsability to allow a foreigner to do so. If your host intend to welcome you without saying the police, he may get in great trouble, and so may you get too !
CRIME : THEFT
The incidence of petty theft and pickpocketing is on the increase. Pickpockets are often children or women with babies, and work as a group. In Ho Chi Minh City in particular, the crossroads of Nguyen Hue and Ngo Duc Ke, Le Loi and Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi and Ton Duc Thang should be regarded with caution. Many thefts are also perpetrated by riders of motor bikes, often with the pillion passenger grabbing bags from tourists sightseeing in cyclos or walking along the streets. The most popular items stolen are backpacks, handbags, pens from shirt pockets, wallets from back pockets, sunglasses, watches and cameras slung around the neck. There have been increased reports of similar activities in Hanoi and in some provincial areas.
Reduce the risk of theft by leaving valuable items in hotel safety deposit boxes. When travelling with your passport, credit cards and travellers cheques, keep a photocopy of items, serial numbers etc separately to assist you in preparing any report of theft. If theft does occur, report it to the nearest police station as you may require this report for insurance and air ticket or passport re-issue purposes
