Halfway Trip Report - Vietnam
Mar 17th, 2010, 02:48 AM
#23
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Hoi An is one of the few places in Vietnam where you can still find old Vietnamese architecture. It's a port town that used to import all of the finest silks and wools. No cars are now allowed in the downtown, but scooters, bikes and carts will still be in sight.
Our first intention upon arrival in Hoi An was to visit one of the many tailor shops to experience ‘made to measure’ clothing. After a short rest at the hotel we went to Yaly, a tailor that came highly recommended online and in our travel book. Once we placed the order, they told us that the clothes would be ready by the following day which actually meant the first fitting. Soon enough we got to know that we might need as many as 4 fittings to get the clothes fit our body perfectly and they were perfect indeed.
It was interesting to see the tailors all fast at work here, racing back to their workshops, weighed down with baskets of clothing to make last minute adjustments.
After our first visit to Yaly, we headed to the Now & Then Bar for some happy hour drinks followed by dinner at the night market. At our chosen stall, we were served by a woman who spoke great English and were still studying at school. We noticed that the locals here were extremely well dressed. We thought it was because of the hundreds of talented tailors in this small port town.
The following day we went on a ‘Vietnam Life in Hoi an’ tour booked with Vietnamstay which included our first fitting at the Yaly. We visited the Japanese Covered Bridge and were taken to many organizations, craft shops and workshops aimed at helping sick, disabled, homeless or orphaned people. We visited them all and thought it was a great experience getting to know about the real life of the locals, not just the ones who were selling things in their own shops or on the streets. We also learnt how to make lanterns at one of the shops we stopped on the tour and decided to take home the one that we’d tried to make, not very successful though.
After lunch, we biked to the Red Bridge Cooking School which was the most amazing class started with a welcome drink at Hai café. Our chef that day was trained at Koto in Hanoi which is a school that assists street kids in getting a start in life. He spoke English with an Aussie accent which I guess was partially because his teacher came from OZ. We quickly proceeded to the Tra Que Village and walked though the organic gardens where local farmers worked their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago – which means no machines at all. We picked fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home housing a farming family that had lived 5 generations in one house! We then headed out to a smaller market with a long shopping list to purchase the rest of the ingredients we needed for our cooking lesson. We were taught and actually we now knew how to cook beef noodle soup, clay pot fish with fresh dill in banana leaf and grilled chicken and banana flower salad.
After the class, we all sat down and savored the dishes we had just prepared then took a leisure cruise along the river back to our hotel in central Hoi an.
Want to say nothing more now but Hoi An is definitely the highlight of our trip!
Our first intention upon arrival in Hoi An was to visit one of the many tailor shops to experience ‘made to measure’ clothing. After a short rest at the hotel we went to Yaly, a tailor that came highly recommended online and in our travel book. Once we placed the order, they told us that the clothes would be ready by the following day which actually meant the first fitting. Soon enough we got to know that we might need as many as 4 fittings to get the clothes fit our body perfectly and they were perfect indeed.
It was interesting to see the tailors all fast at work here, racing back to their workshops, weighed down with baskets of clothing to make last minute adjustments.
After our first visit to Yaly, we headed to the Now & Then Bar for some happy hour drinks followed by dinner at the night market. At our chosen stall, we were served by a woman who spoke great English and were still studying at school. We noticed that the locals here were extremely well dressed. We thought it was because of the hundreds of talented tailors in this small port town.
The following day we went on a ‘Vietnam Life in Hoi an’ tour booked with Vietnamstay which included our first fitting at the Yaly. We visited the Japanese Covered Bridge and were taken to many organizations, craft shops and workshops aimed at helping sick, disabled, homeless or orphaned people. We visited them all and thought it was a great experience getting to know about the real life of the locals, not just the ones who were selling things in their own shops or on the streets. We also learnt how to make lanterns at one of the shops we stopped on the tour and decided to take home the one that we’d tried to make, not very successful though.
After lunch, we biked to the Red Bridge Cooking School which was the most amazing class started with a welcome drink at Hai café. Our chef that day was trained at Koto in Hanoi which is a school that assists street kids in getting a start in life. He spoke English with an Aussie accent which I guess was partially because his teacher came from OZ. We quickly proceeded to the Tra Que Village and walked though the organic gardens where local farmers worked their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago – which means no machines at all. We picked fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home housing a farming family that had lived 5 generations in one house! We then headed out to a smaller market with a long shopping list to purchase the rest of the ingredients we needed for our cooking lesson. We were taught and actually we now knew how to cook beef noodle soup, clay pot fish with fresh dill in banana leaf and grilled chicken and banana flower salad.
After the class, we all sat down and savored the dishes we had just prepared then took a leisure cruise along the river back to our hotel in central Hoi an.
Want to say nothing more now but Hoi An is definitely the highlight of our trip!
Mar 17th, 2010, 10:12 PM
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"Our chef that day was trained at Koto in Hanoi which is a school that assists street kids in getting a start in life. He spoke English with an Aussie accent which I guess was partially because his teacher came from OZ."
scomars, you might be able to blame that on my son-in-law, Brendon, who's been training at Koto under the auspices of VIDA, an Australian aid organisation, for some time. And KOTO is the creation of Jimmy Pham, whose home city is Melbourne.
For a brief rundown on the KOTO story, go to the Australia TV Network archives for November 2009 - http://australianetwork.com/newsline...tm?site=200911
and scroll down to the news item entitled "Saving Children", broadcast 20/11/2009 (or in American, 11/20/2009.)
(OK, a plug, but it's a worthy cause. And Jimmy will be opening another KOTO operation in HCMC soon.)
scomars, you might be able to blame that on my son-in-law, Brendon, who's been training at Koto under the auspices of VIDA, an Australian aid organisation, for some time. And KOTO is the creation of Jimmy Pham, whose home city is Melbourne.
For a brief rundown on the KOTO story, go to the Australia TV Network archives for November 2009 - http://australianetwork.com/newsline...tm?site=200911
and scroll down to the news item entitled "Saving Children", broadcast 20/11/2009 (or in American, 11/20/2009.)
(OK, a plug, but it's a worthy cause. And Jimmy will be opening another KOTO operation in HCMC soon.)
Mar 18th, 2010, 02:14 AM
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"Our chef that day was trained at Koto in Hanoi which is a school that assists street kids in getting a start in life. He spoke English with an Aussie accent which I guess was partially because his teacher came from OZ."
scomars, you might be able to blame that on my son-in-law, Brendon, who's been running training at KOTO under the auspices of VIDA, an Australian aid organisation, for some time. And KOTO is the creation of Jimmy Pham, whose home city is Melbourne.
For a brief rundown on the KOTO story, go to the Australia TV Network archives for November 2009 - http://australianetwork.com/newsline...tm?site=200911
and scroll down to the news item entitled "Saving Children", broadcast 20/11/2009 (or in American, 11/20/2009.)
(OK, a plug, but it's a worthy cause. And Jimmy will be opening another KOTO operation in HCMC soon.)
scomars, you might be able to blame that on my son-in-law, Brendon, who's been running training at KOTO under the auspices of VIDA, an Australian aid organisation, for some time. And KOTO is the creation of Jimmy Pham, whose home city is Melbourne.
For a brief rundown on the KOTO story, go to the Australia TV Network archives for November 2009 - http://australianetwork.com/newsline...tm?site=200911
and scroll down to the news item entitled "Saving Children", broadcast 20/11/2009 (or in American, 11/20/2009.)
(OK, a plug, but it's a worthy cause. And Jimmy will be opening another KOTO operation in HCMC soon.)
Mar 19th, 2010, 02:38 AM
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After Hoi An, we spent 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City (or HCMC as people often mention) and thought it was sufficient. Stayed at the Liberty hotel and were satisfied all things considered. Got a city view room which was quite noisy but thought it wasn’t the hotel’s fault.
We started the first day at 8:30 am for the Jade Emperor Pagoda which was built by the Chinese in 1909 and is dedicated to Taoism with wonderful wooden statues and richly decorated altars. We got off the car and walked around the corner to enter a shady courtyard with the pagoda in the center and benches along the side walls. We saw a few young women with cages filled with small birds. They burnt incense and prayed at the pagoda, and then opened the cages, shaking them until all of the birds were freed. The hall was crowded with diverse beautiful carved statues and worshipers praying with incense in their clasped hands.
We were then entertained for an hour with a drive around the city in the air conditioned car with our guide which was possibly the safest way to see the city. We finally stopped at the Reunification Palace for photos and then were dropped off near the Opera House for a walk through the streets of District 1 packed with art galleries, luxury shops, the Cathedral and Post Office. Lunched at the Lemongrass: central location, good food and excellent service.
We then had a quick stop at the hotel before we headed out for the Cu Chi tunnels which was a long but nice ride through the countryside – a very nice change after the busy city. There are some enlarged tunnels made for westerners between a series of bunkers and had electric lights – even so it was a bit of squeeze and very hot with a whole group of tourists down there. There was also a chance to shoot a range of guns. I went for an AK47 and it was really loud.
The ride back through the early evening was a bright moment because, despite the traumas of the previous generations, the children were true to their own nature that flied kites up above their heads in rice fields and I could imagine how peaceful life was going on there.
Nightlife: One night we headed up the street to the Hard Rock Cafe. The place was mostly packed with foreign tourists and a number of very wealthy local youths. The waiters looked stylist with spiky hair with gel and loads of rings and necklaces. Our impression was that they spoke excellent English.
Loved the Paris Deli at 65 Le Loi Street. Excellent coffee and nice staff.
Shopping: As we’d already had enough of clothes tailored in Hoi an, we didn’t bother looking at our list of HCMC tailors which we’d planned to see before leaving home. Instead, we just hung around the Ben Thanh market. It’s difficult to describe the sight, sound and mix of odors in this place but just experienced it. If you’re after something that the locals wear like wooden shoes, this is the place to go. We bought some wine holders, table mats and statuettes and it was great fun negotiating with the sellers. The fruits here were fresh and tasteful as well.
We started the first day at 8:30 am for the Jade Emperor Pagoda which was built by the Chinese in 1909 and is dedicated to Taoism with wonderful wooden statues and richly decorated altars. We got off the car and walked around the corner to enter a shady courtyard with the pagoda in the center and benches along the side walls. We saw a few young women with cages filled with small birds. They burnt incense and prayed at the pagoda, and then opened the cages, shaking them until all of the birds were freed. The hall was crowded with diverse beautiful carved statues and worshipers praying with incense in their clasped hands.
We were then entertained for an hour with a drive around the city in the air conditioned car with our guide which was possibly the safest way to see the city. We finally stopped at the Reunification Palace for photos and then were dropped off near the Opera House for a walk through the streets of District 1 packed with art galleries, luxury shops, the Cathedral and Post Office. Lunched at the Lemongrass: central location, good food and excellent service.
We then had a quick stop at the hotel before we headed out for the Cu Chi tunnels which was a long but nice ride through the countryside – a very nice change after the busy city. There are some enlarged tunnels made for westerners between a series of bunkers and had electric lights – even so it was a bit of squeeze and very hot with a whole group of tourists down there. There was also a chance to shoot a range of guns. I went for an AK47 and it was really loud.
The ride back through the early evening was a bright moment because, despite the traumas of the previous generations, the children were true to their own nature that flied kites up above their heads in rice fields and I could imagine how peaceful life was going on there.
Nightlife: One night we headed up the street to the Hard Rock Cafe. The place was mostly packed with foreign tourists and a number of very wealthy local youths. The waiters looked stylist with spiky hair with gel and loads of rings and necklaces. Our impression was that they spoke excellent English.
Loved the Paris Deli at 65 Le Loi Street. Excellent coffee and nice staff.
Shopping: As we’d already had enough of clothes tailored in Hoi an, we didn’t bother looking at our list of HCMC tailors which we’d planned to see before leaving home. Instead, we just hung around the Ben Thanh market. It’s difficult to describe the sight, sound and mix of odors in this place but just experienced it. If you’re after something that the locals wear like wooden shoes, this is the place to go. We bought some wine holders, table mats and statuettes and it was great fun negotiating with the sellers. The fruits here were fresh and tasteful as well.
Mar 19th, 2010, 05:58 AM
#31
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Taking notes on your trip as Bob has said earlier. Who did you use for a guide in HCMC? How did your clothes come out..do they fit well and how many fittings did you need to get to a good fitting?
Mar 21st, 2010, 08:48 PM
#34
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Sorry for missing out your questions above.
Rhkkmk: Stayed 3 days in Hoi An and wished if we would have had more time.
Neil: Thanks for the lovely info. Watched the news and were very glad getting to know that your son in law had done a very meaningful job.
Kmkrnn: We went with Nam (which we were told means Five in Vietnamese language) arranged by our travel agent and were generally happy with his knowledge of the region and customer service skill. He was born, raised and is currently living with his family in Saigon.
Regarding the fitting for clothes, as you’d already read from the report, we went for none of the tailors we’d planned in Saigon. For those in Hoi an, from memory, we’d to go for 4 fittings in our 3 day stay there.
Dgunbug: It was the Liberty Central that we’d stayed at. Brand new, most parts were fully operational when we were there. The couple who stayed at the back wing said the view wasn’t great but it was quieter, at least than our city view room. My belief is that everything will be very fine when you’re there in May.
Because it’s a very new hotel, all rooms come with modern furnishing and tasteful décor. The bathroom is very nice and clean. The location is ok to us. In addition to the noise, the other problem was that the television reception in our room was very poor.
Rhkkmk: Stayed 3 days in Hoi An and wished if we would have had more time.
Neil: Thanks for the lovely info. Watched the news and were very glad getting to know that your son in law had done a very meaningful job.
Kmkrnn: We went with Nam (which we were told means Five in Vietnamese language) arranged by our travel agent and were generally happy with his knowledge of the region and customer service skill. He was born, raised and is currently living with his family in Saigon.
Regarding the fitting for clothes, as you’d already read from the report, we went for none of the tailors we’d planned in Saigon. For those in Hoi an, from memory, we’d to go for 4 fittings in our 3 day stay there.
Dgunbug: It was the Liberty Central that we’d stayed at. Brand new, most parts were fully operational when we were there. The couple who stayed at the back wing said the view wasn’t great but it was quieter, at least than our city view room. My belief is that everything will be very fine when you’re there in May.
Because it’s a very new hotel, all rooms come with modern furnishing and tasteful décor. The bathroom is very nice and clean. The location is ok to us. In addition to the noise, the other problem was that the television reception in our room was very poor.
Mar 21st, 2010, 11:05 PM
#35
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Dear all,
My name is Trang Le (Ms), I am a senior student from Vietnam. Now I am writing my dissertation on Cruises for my final university project (bachelor dissertation). The main objective of this survey is to evaluate the level of satisfaction with the cruise to Vietnam.
If you have been on a cruise to Vietnam or if you know any tourists that have participated in cruises to Vietnam, please be so kind and support my final university project by clicking on the following link that provides a short questionnaire for tourists that have been at Vietnam or pass the link on to people you know that have been there.
I do appreciate if you could take a few minutes of your valuable time in completing this questionnaire. Your assistance will help me out tremendously with my studies. All information will only be used for the purpose of my dissertation and be treated with strict confidentiality.
Thank you so much for your support! Sory if this is a spam!
Trang Le (Ms)
Here is the link:
http://www.eSurveysPro.com/Survey.as...6-b3c2edf26847
My name is Trang Le (Ms), I am a senior student from Vietnam. Now I am writing my dissertation on Cruises for my final university project (bachelor dissertation). The main objective of this survey is to evaluate the level of satisfaction with the cruise to Vietnam.
If you have been on a cruise to Vietnam or if you know any tourists that have participated in cruises to Vietnam, please be so kind and support my final university project by clicking on the following link that provides a short questionnaire for tourists that have been at Vietnam or pass the link on to people you know that have been there.
I do appreciate if you could take a few minutes of your valuable time in completing this questionnaire. Your assistance will help me out tremendously with my studies. All information will only be used for the purpose of my dissertation and be treated with strict confidentiality.
Thank you so much for your support! Sory if this is a spam!
Trang Le (Ms)
Here is the link:
http://www.eSurveysPro.com/Survey.as...6-b3c2edf26847
Mar 25th, 2010, 02:13 AM
#36
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Mekong Delta:
The following morning we headed out again for a ride into the countryside on the way to the Mekong Delta. Had a stop at a tourist departure point for toilets and then started our visit to one island with our guide. We stopped for a bit of a taste and some local music.
There was so much to take in, to see and hear in the area. The island was lush and verdant and the water was impenetrably deep in places. Tourist boats were of course all over the area. First we visited a tile factory. The skill and beauty of the work was something else. We watched a young boy apply paraffin first to the mould so that the colors wouldn't run into each other. Then he added different colored pigments with the terracotta, into a press, and minutes later, a beautiful tile. It took some days for the tile to dry before it could be fired and ready for use.
Next, we went to a brick factory. Here there were some kilns firing the bricks that were made by hand in different shapes and sizes.
Again on the river in the late afternoon towards our island homestay. We sailed along and then transferred to local rowing boats where ladies in conical hats moved us swiftly to our next destination. Then a brief walk of bout 20’ to our home for the night. We stayed in a large house that belonged to a lady whose family had lived there many years ago before the former local authorities took the property. We were entertained by local musicians and singers and it was really fascinating following stories of local life. Then we’d a dinner with local foods which was very good. We were stuffed and happy to go to bed early after a long and exciting day.
Sleeping in this amazing house with few walls was more difficult than I'd anticipated. We all had army cot-style beds with sheets and slim pillows. We also had mosquito nets which was a good thing being so close to the river.
We were up every early the next morning (5:30am I guess) as the lady of the house opened blinds and let the morning sun in. After breakfast, we were off to the floating markets in the Mekong. The markets are so important for the area. Villagers travel from many miles away to sell their produces and wares. They live on houseboats for a couple of weeks while they sell their things before returning home to get a new load. An incredible riot of colors, tastes, smells, and sounds.
After the markets, we learned how to make pop rice and rice paper, and that was the end of our 2 days in the Mekong Delta. All in all, it was very rewarding experience we’d had on the trip.
The following morning we headed out again for a ride into the countryside on the way to the Mekong Delta. Had a stop at a tourist departure point for toilets and then started our visit to one island with our guide. We stopped for a bit of a taste and some local music.
There was so much to take in, to see and hear in the area. The island was lush and verdant and the water was impenetrably deep in places. Tourist boats were of course all over the area. First we visited a tile factory. The skill and beauty of the work was something else. We watched a young boy apply paraffin first to the mould so that the colors wouldn't run into each other. Then he added different colored pigments with the terracotta, into a press, and minutes later, a beautiful tile. It took some days for the tile to dry before it could be fired and ready for use.
Next, we went to a brick factory. Here there were some kilns firing the bricks that were made by hand in different shapes and sizes.
Again on the river in the late afternoon towards our island homestay. We sailed along and then transferred to local rowing boats where ladies in conical hats moved us swiftly to our next destination. Then a brief walk of bout 20’ to our home for the night. We stayed in a large house that belonged to a lady whose family had lived there many years ago before the former local authorities took the property. We were entertained by local musicians and singers and it was really fascinating following stories of local life. Then we’d a dinner with local foods which was very good. We were stuffed and happy to go to bed early after a long and exciting day.
Sleeping in this amazing house with few walls was more difficult than I'd anticipated. We all had army cot-style beds with sheets and slim pillows. We also had mosquito nets which was a good thing being so close to the river.
We were up every early the next morning (5:30am I guess) as the lady of the house opened blinds and let the morning sun in. After breakfast, we were off to the floating markets in the Mekong. The markets are so important for the area. Villagers travel from many miles away to sell their produces and wares. They live on houseboats for a couple of weeks while they sell their things before returning home to get a new load. An incredible riot of colors, tastes, smells, and sounds.
After the markets, we learned how to make pop rice and rice paper, and that was the end of our 2 days in the Mekong Delta. All in all, it was very rewarding experience we’d had on the trip.
Mar 26th, 2010, 07:17 PM
#39
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Hi,
My opinion is that it's pretty easy to do it yourself elsewhere in Vietnam, not only the Mekong Delta. In Can Tho you just go down to the river and people will turn up and ask if you like to go on a trip on the river and canals.
In Chau Doc it is the same, just go down to the river and you will be asked if you want to take a trip in a small boat with a lady that row you around to see the floating houses, the fish farms and so on.
However, we found tours to the area are offered at very reasonable prices and thought traveling on your own, despite being more fun, would take more time, cost more money and less comfortable. Just your choice.
My opinion is that it's pretty easy to do it yourself elsewhere in Vietnam, not only the Mekong Delta. In Can Tho you just go down to the river and people will turn up and ask if you like to go on a trip on the river and canals.
In Chau Doc it is the same, just go down to the river and you will be asked if you want to take a trip in a small boat with a lady that row you around to see the floating houses, the fish farms and so on.
However, we found tours to the area are offered at very reasonable prices and thought traveling on your own, despite being more fun, would take more time, cost more money and less comfortable. Just your choice.
