So, was it worth the effort? Did it come out as expected? Things that surprised and what was learned during the trip. Find it all here, in the last episode!
Was it worth the effort?
First things first: I honestly think that the trip definitely was worth taking! There are only so many possibilities in life to make such trips and this one was mine to take. First of all the timing was perfect. I had just been sacked from work and really was in need of a vacation trip. I mean I had the days free at home as well but looking at the walls for a few weeks really makes you want to leave the house for a while. In the begining of the whole process of leaving to Vietnam I was a bit suspicious as I had no idea what it would actually mean to move there. This is the point where everything could go already wrong by letting too many things build-up as obstacles. The best way is just to take the bull by the ba... horns and go with the flow. Not to think too much as that usually never works for a benefit anyway. You need to face the facts for sure but that's it. The rest will work out one way or another.
Did it come out as expected?
Well, my expectations were rather limited, as I earlier stated already I didn't think too much before going. So I didn't build too many walls by setting too many goals or expectations. What I figured out it would be was that it's going to be rather warm, and people are talking less English and that I'd have time to spend with my daughter. That's how it actually turned out to be. That plus a ton more! It turned out that Vietnam was all that + friendly people, occasional tropical storms, awesome sceneries, sweat, cold coffee (in a positive way), more sweat, high prices, bargain, low prices, Western prices, traditions, temples, taxi rides, fake taxis, swimming, relaxing, tasty food, tasteless food, food, light brews, language barriers. Oh and some more sweat. So yes, I got everything I expected. Actually the thing here was to keep an open mind to let the experience work itself out. I have a tendency not to put too much on high expectations. This applies also to for example restaurant selection: if the place is recommended by someone or even reviewed as a spectacular you already have set an expectation level. Sure you can go and see whether it's true or not but the original and most relevant (re)view comes from you.
Things that surprised?
The first thing I remember surprising me was the heat. I mean I've been to hot places but when the humidity is on the level it was... whew! And having that for over a month in a row. I really started understanding people loving the airconditioning. And I have to give it to the guys living in areas with such a weather conditions, for instance Texas (of the ones I've been to): now I know why you people don't walk enywhere! ;D
Despite all the confrontations and the cultural collissions I found it even a bit surprising that it all went so smoothly. I managet to keep it cool and enjoyed the stay, big time!
One thing surprising was that we actually were able to find stuff to do and things to see for the whole time. I mean the last week was already a bit of a struggle to come up with things to do but I think it was also because of the fact that I subconsciously started orienting myself for the homecoming.
The fact that how nice it was to come back home. I think there's not too many times I can remember being as happy coming from abroad back home. I mean it's nice to come home but I really enjoy the traveling as well.
The beauty that the land held. I knew it was going to be nice but it caught me anyway. Also as we didn't actually see too much diversity seeing only two different cities in Vietnam.
What was learned?
Well, at least we learned a great deal about a new culture. I'm not going to go listing all the details but to name a few I'd give the fact that people in Vietnam are kind and caring and that they share from what they have, although it's not too much. Also a great learning was that you really can be happy with less. What I brought back with me was the promise to myself to try to settle for less, not to run always for the highest price. Why, you might ask? Because it's like running yourself in an economy mode: you'll last longer and don't burn yourself out as fast.
The Do's...
While in Vietnam, specifically in Hanoi you should (or you could) see at least these (not in any specific order):
1. Halong Bay
- It's not too far away and it really is something different from the city
2. The west lake
- if only for the evening ride on the swan cycle, actually I think this applies to all the lakes (Hoan Kiem, Truc Bach, Le Dai Hanh...)!
3. Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
- sure you can go see it from the inside as well if interested
4. The old quarter
- not only because of the cheap shopping experience but to see the life of the locals as well
5. Bia Hoi
- one simply can't visit Hanoi, the world capital of Bia hoi without tasting it. Ok... it might be the beer talking again... ;)
6. The Landmark 72
- like views? Like modern? You'll love this!
7. Vietnamese coffee
- especially the weasel -ones... man it's great! I haven't been able to reproduce it back home yet but I'll sure keep on trying.
8. The weirdest things on the menu
- really, just try and be surprised! ...either in good or a bad way. ;)
9. Any plastic seat restaurant you see
- might require a stomach of steel but at least you'll know afterwards if you have one or not. ;)
10. Walk and see the details
- yes it's hot outside but you'll get a free excercise on the go.
...and the Don't's
1. Be arrogant
- despite it might feel the locals are towards you they aren't, it's just a way they live. When a Western tries it... well, lets just say it doesn't work, I saw it too many times.
2. Waste your time planning too much
- as always. Just go and do whatever comes on your way
3. Spend too much on eating in classy restaurants
- occassionally it's ok, but everytime you do that you miss one fine chance on a street restaurant
4. Niggle about all the VNDs
- getting 500 less in a taxi can easily be considered as a tip for the ride that must have saved your life. I mean the traffic...
5. Miss the chance to try sports in the weather conditions
- at least for us Scandinavians it's something to try
And it all can be found in the earlier texts. ;) There's a lot to see even outside this listing so feel free to Google more. :D
Would I do it again?
Yes. Definitely. I can promise that whenever this sort of possibility comes, I'll be in. It's been now two times our family has been abroad for longer than a month working, at least partially. The 4 months in Romania was already a great adventure. Now this. The hunger increases continuously so, yes I'd be doing it again.
And when I will, I'll be hosting another blog to follow for ya'll. ;) Meanwhile stay tuned for the Beers of Vietnam episode in my other blog My Wonderful World of Beers , Cheers!
Was it worth the effort?
First things first: I honestly think that the trip definitely was worth taking! There are only so many possibilities in life to make such trips and this one was mine to take. First of all the timing was perfect. I had just been sacked from work and really was in need of a vacation trip. I mean I had the days free at home as well but looking at the walls for a few weeks really makes you want to leave the house for a while. In the begining of the whole process of leaving to Vietnam I was a bit suspicious as I had no idea what it would actually mean to move there. This is the point where everything could go already wrong by letting too many things build-up as obstacles. The best way is just to take the bull by the ba... horns and go with the flow. Not to think too much as that usually never works for a benefit anyway. You need to face the facts for sure but that's it. The rest will work out one way or another.
Did it come out as expected?
Well, my expectations were rather limited, as I earlier stated already I didn't think too much before going. So I didn't build too many walls by setting too many goals or expectations. What I figured out it would be was that it's going to be rather warm, and people are talking less English and that I'd have time to spend with my daughter. That's how it actually turned out to be. That plus a ton more! It turned out that Vietnam was all that + friendly people, occasional tropical storms, awesome sceneries, sweat, cold coffee (in a positive way), more sweat, high prices, bargain, low prices, Western prices, traditions, temples, taxi rides, fake taxis, swimming, relaxing, tasty food, tasteless food, food, light brews, language barriers. Oh and some more sweat. So yes, I got everything I expected. Actually the thing here was to keep an open mind to let the experience work itself out. I have a tendency not to put too much on high expectations. This applies also to for example restaurant selection: if the place is recommended by someone or even reviewed as a spectacular you already have set an expectation level. Sure you can go and see whether it's true or not but the original and most relevant (re)view comes from you.
Things that surprised?
The first thing I remember surprising me was the heat. I mean I've been to hot places but when the humidity is on the level it was... whew! And having that for over a month in a row. I really started understanding people loving the airconditioning. And I have to give it to the guys living in areas with such a weather conditions, for instance Texas (of the ones I've been to): now I know why you people don't walk enywhere! ;D
Despite all the confrontations and the cultural collissions I found it even a bit surprising that it all went so smoothly. I managet to keep it cool and enjoyed the stay, big time!
One thing surprising was that we actually were able to find stuff to do and things to see for the whole time. I mean the last week was already a bit of a struggle to come up with things to do but I think it was also because of the fact that I subconsciously started orienting myself for the homecoming.
The fact that how nice it was to come back home. I think there's not too many times I can remember being as happy coming from abroad back home. I mean it's nice to come home but I really enjoy the traveling as well.
The beauty that the land held. I knew it was going to be nice but it caught me anyway. Also as we didn't actually see too much diversity seeing only two different cities in Vietnam.
What was learned?
Well, at least we learned a great deal about a new culture. I'm not going to go listing all the details but to name a few I'd give the fact that people in Vietnam are kind and caring and that they share from what they have, although it's not too much. Also a great learning was that you really can be happy with less. What I brought back with me was the promise to myself to try to settle for less, not to run always for the highest price. Why, you might ask? Because it's like running yourself in an economy mode: you'll last longer and don't burn yourself out as fast.
The Do's...
While in Vietnam, specifically in Hanoi you should (or you could) see at least these (not in any specific order):
1. Halong Bay
- It's not too far away and it really is something different from the city
2. The west lake
- if only for the evening ride on the swan cycle, actually I think this applies to all the lakes (Hoan Kiem, Truc Bach, Le Dai Hanh...)!
3. Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
- sure you can go see it from the inside as well if interested
4. The old quarter
- not only because of the cheap shopping experience but to see the life of the locals as well
5. Bia Hoi
- one simply can't visit Hanoi, the world capital of Bia hoi without tasting it. Ok... it might be the beer talking again... ;)
6. The Landmark 72
- like views? Like modern? You'll love this!
7. Vietnamese coffee
- especially the weasel -ones... man it's great! I haven't been able to reproduce it back home yet but I'll sure keep on trying.
8. The weirdest things on the menu
- really, just try and be surprised! ...either in good or a bad way. ;)
9. Any plastic seat restaurant you see
- might require a stomach of steel but at least you'll know afterwards if you have one or not. ;)
10. Walk and see the details
- yes it's hot outside but you'll get a free excercise on the go.
...and the Don't's
1. Be arrogant
- despite it might feel the locals are towards you they aren't, it's just a way they live. When a Western tries it... well, lets just say it doesn't work, I saw it too many times.
2. Waste your time planning too much
- as always. Just go and do whatever comes on your way
3. Spend too much on eating in classy restaurants
- occassionally it's ok, but everytime you do that you miss one fine chance on a street restaurant
4. Niggle about all the VNDs
- getting 500 less in a taxi can easily be considered as a tip for the ride that must have saved your life. I mean the traffic...
5. Miss the chance to try sports in the weather conditions
- at least for us Scandinavians it's something to try
And it all can be found in the earlier texts. ;) There's a lot to see even outside this listing so feel free to Google more. :D
Would I do it again?
Yes. Definitely. I can promise that whenever this sort of possibility comes, I'll be in. It's been now two times our family has been abroad for longer than a month working, at least partially. The 4 months in Romania was already a great adventure. Now this. The hunger increases continuously so, yes I'd be doing it again.
And when I will, I'll be hosting another blog to follow for ya'll. ;) Meanwhile stay tuned for the Beers of Vietnam episode in my other blog My Wonderful World of Beers , Cheers!
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