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Vietnam - August 2008
Our resident metrosexual David takes us around Vietnam this month, signing us up for a cooking class, getting us measured up for a silk suit, and showing us some bargain basement brand name shopping (all genuine stock of course!)
Tailored Suits $150, Ralph Polo’s $25, food $5, beer $2…where else but in the wonderful world of Vietnam. The easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east. With a population of over 86 million, Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world.
I’m not 100% on how the planning scheme of the major cities in Vietnam work, but Hanoi (the capital) is split up into an old quarter, with lower density buildings and where more traditional parts of the city are located and a new quarter where newer more Westernised and tourism influenced buildings have been established. Quite a few larger chain hotels, like the Hilton, Sofitel, Holiday Inn and the Shangri-La have all established themselves here in addition to the increasing number of commercial buildings with each new tower being taller than the previous. Large ponds that surrounded Hanoi are now being filled so that buildings can be constructed which has destroyed most of the land and caused some flooding problems in the city. Like a lot of developing countries, Vietnam is focussing on using every single square metre for buildings.
As for getting around in Vietnam the traffic is bumper to bumper all the time. The chosen form of transport in Vietnam are the trusty 50cc scooters – because of their efficiency to run and maintain as well as their dodging and weaving capabilities, however more recently there has been a switch to cars thus increasing noise, dust and smoke pollution as well as having a negative effect on the social environment.
The Vietnamese along with other Asian countries are synonymous with their creativity in how they transport food, building materials, animals and people from point A to B. Ok – you’ve all had a bit of a laugh and seen those emails or pictures where there’s like 10 people on the one scooter.
Take a look at this guy – the piece of metal would be no word of a lie 10m long...at least – and trying to enter an intersection as busy as the Normanby 5 ways (probably wished he had some traffic lights)… its close your eyes and hope for the best. After nudging further and further into the intersection other motorists had no choice but to let him in.
a) you didn’t even need in the first place;
b) thought you may have needed it at the time but realised that in fact it has no use and will sit in the bottom of your wardrobe/on your draws covered in dust never to see the light of day again or;
c) buy something and realise only after you open it the sizing difference between Asian and the Western World are somewhat different.
The street markets in Vietnam, within the main cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in particular are a wonderful experience, and while it’s not quite as extravagant as the Emporium or Orchid and Elkhorn Avenue on the Gold Coast or as large as your traditional Multi-purpose 2 Centre, they can match them brand for brand. They stock all your favourites like Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss and if you’re lucky you could pick up a Gucci, Armani or Prada item for an unbelievable low price (At this point I guess it would be appropriate to mention the rather strong counterfeit market that Vietnam has). Another interesting thing to do while your there is to buy a tailored suit. Although the main cities do offer this service the coastal town of Hoi An is the best place to go, it’s cheaper and more reliable and is renowned for the quality material especially silk. It’s just a matter of pick your style, pick your material and get sized up, all for around $150 Aussie Dollars…bargain.
The Vietnamese can cook. The food in Vietnam was some of the best tasting and most healthy food that I have ever tasted, as well as being the cheapest. The dishes are so fresh and they are able to bring out the flavour in each ingredient….it’s amazing. Being the young, new aged guy that I am, I took part in a cooking class where you had the opportunity to go and buy your ingredients in the morning at the fresh food market (that has everything you need from fresh meat, fish, veges, rice paper and other weird looking foods that I wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole) and cook them Vietnamese style later on. It’s not your everyday Woolies or Coles, where you can get “fresh” food…this stuff is the real deal…off the boat and straight onto the selling floor. The earlier you go the fresher the food.
A must see attraction, and a great learning and eye opening experience are the cu chi (pronounced chu chi) tunnels located in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City. These huge tunnel networks (over 200km long) consist of many layers, turnings and meeting points and amazingly incorporated kitchens and hospitals. They were home to the Vietcong during the Vietnam War and provided them with a place to hide as well as a strategic way to ambush the enemy. They definitely took the old trick of “dig a hole put some leaves over it and watch until someone falls down into it” to another level, with booby traps set up for any unsuspecting enemy – ouchy!!
Vietnam is home to friendly people, beautiful scenery and unforgettable experiences. It is in close proximity to Laos and Cambodia, the home of the magnificent Angkor Wat (the location for the filming of Tomb Raider). This newsletter only goes through a very small part of what you can do and see in Vietnam and I don’t think it does it complete justice. With so much culture and history Vietnam is truly a beautiful part of the world, and I know that I will keep the experiences I had for a life time.
MUST SEE & DO'S
• Stay overnight on a Halong Bay Boat Cruise
• Red Bridge Cooking Classes
• Get in touch with the Vietnamese underwater scene by snorkelling and diving at Nah Trang – as well as taste some of the best seafood in the world.
• See the city travelling by Cyclo (a bicycle with a carriage – the drivers know the city back to front)
• Support the local economy and local charities – eat lots, drink lots, spend up big (particularly because of Australia’s strong dollar against the Vietnamese dong)
• Get in touch with your historical side by visiting the Vietnam War Memorials
