My Trip to Vietnam

I enjoyed Vietnam! I enjoyed this trip with my family.

It was hard to communicate, though, with the Vietnamese! About 90% of them couldn't speak or understand English! Good thing somebody told me about this so I researched ahead of time on important phrases. So be guided by the following when you go to Vietnam:

-> Thank you - cam on
-> How much - baw new
-> Expensive - makwa
-> Waitress - emoy
-> Hello - xin chao
-> Go straight - di thang
-> Right - fai
-> Left - sai

Vietnam is a good shopping place, especially Ben Than market. My advice: haggle haggle haggle! Use the word 'makwa' a lot! And if you are given a certain price, offer 75% off and work your way up a little up to 60% off. They'll give in I promise you:) Just be patient and very persistent. They have a lot of good stuffs.. shirts, bags, home accessories, etc etc.

When dining in Saigon Cruise (especially the no. 1 ship - I forgot the name), take note that they charge entrance fee (my hotel advised me that there was no entrance fee) and they will ask you to pay for those towels. Should you try the cruise? Trust me - you can live without this... better dine in Pho 24, a fast food restaurant that serves noodles (yummy 5 stars)!

Try to dine in Black Cat - although it's hard to find. They are famous for their big and tasty burgers. Must try!

Chancery Hotel is the cheapest hotel in the city but be warned that their air conditioning sucks big time... I had to request an electric fan! And this receptionist - Chinese looking girl with short hair was rude - don't ask for her help when you want to hire a van.

Speaking of hiring a van - I suggest for you to take a cab instead from the airport to your hotel and from you hotel to the city's tourist spots. It is a lot cheaper, trust me. Choose those big vans (innova type) with cab drivers wearing neck ties (cab's name is vinasun). The only assistance you should ask from your receptionist is how to write your itinerary in Vietnamese.

Buy Vinamit! Yummy and good present for your family and friends back home.

Bring a lot of towels.. it is scorching hot! And drink a lot of fluids!

Go to Cu Chi Tunnel! It's far but worth the travel.

I can't wait to go back to Vietnam!