Week 14 - Good Morning Vietnam! (Cultural Blog)

I remember watching a Top Gear special a couple of years ago with total fascination as Clarkson, Hammond and May travelled through Vietnam on motorbikes in their new tailor-made suits and being amazed at the spectacular scenery, in particular Ha Long Bay. Remembering the programme, and knowing I had some spare time during Easter here in Hong Kong, I was determined to book a trip to Hanoi – so we arrived in the north of Vietnam last Tuesday! 

Despite all its faults -- traffic, pollution, and dirty streets -- I loved visiting Hanoi. 

The first thing I noticed in Vietnam when I got into the taxi at the airport was that the traffic was absolutely crazy with people beeping their horns every few seconds! Our tour guide told us that there are approximately 4 million scooters in Hanoi which gives you a sense of what the traffic must be like around the city. Combine this with few traffic lights or pedestrian crossings and you soon realise that it is a free-for-all for on the roads. As a pedestrian, when crossing the road, it is very much a case of trying to walk slowly and carefully to avoid the cars and hoping that the motorbikes avoid you!

After living in Hong Kong where everything is spotlessly clean, in contrast the streets of Hanoi are quite dirty and it isn’t unusual to see piles of rubbish lying at the roadside in the bustling streets amid vendors, shoppers and traffic. Also a lot of families sit outside their shops and eat dinner together at night time in a really relaxed and peaceful atmosphere which I liked.

Vietnam is renowned in Asia, for its good food and it didn’t disappoint especially as meals are so cheap compared to back home or in Hong Kong with a substantial meal costing only £3. The main traditional dish in Vietnam is called ‘Pho Bo’ which is basically noodles and beef in a soup that is really tasty. There was also a buffet breakfast in the morning at our hotel which needless to say, made getting up that little bit easier, especially as I hadn’t eaten a good cooked breakfast since I left Northern Ireland!

Before I came to Vietnam I considered getting a tailored suit especially after hearing how cheap they were. So on the first day, when I was walking around the shops alongside Allen, Simon and Rachel (who as usual was hounding us to buy stuff!) we finally gave in and couldn’t resist the temptation to splash the cash! I got measured up for a tailored grey suit with matching shirt and tie and now look a thousand dollars (or in their currency a million!)

Whilst the buzz of hanoi was something i wouldn’t have missed, the highlight of my trip to Vietnam was the day trips to Ha Long Bay and Tam Coc. 

Ha Long Bay is a spectacular limestone maze which has over 3,000 karst limestone structures, although our tour guide told us that locals claim there are only 1,969 in memory of Ho Chi Minh, the late President. The day trip to Ha Long Bay was totally amazing. I absolutely loved visiting the floating fishing village and kayaking in among the giant karsts and through the caves. The atmosphere was so serene and peaceful and the kayaking was the definitely my favourite part of the trip.

Another fantastic trip was to Tam Coc where we got to visit some Buddhist Temples (although they all appear very similar once you have seen one or two)! A particular highlight was when a group of us went on bikes through the Vietnamese countryside and had great fun cycling through the small villages and country roads. This was followed by the opportunity to “unwind and relax” as we were rowed down the Ngo Dong River among the paddy fields and caves which was surprisingly every bit as stunning as Ha Long Bay.

I had a fantastic week and really enjoyed my time in Vietnam.  The sights, the history and the contrasts I discovered during my short stay, will entice me back to Vietnam again to visit other parts of the country, especially Ho Chi Minh City in the south where I may get another tailored suit on the way!

Only 3 and half weeks left in Hong Kong now before I fly out to Australia! This week it will be heads down to work hard and complete my remaining assignments, before I start back in Jockey Club Primary School next Tuesday.

Until next time...

Joi Gin (Goodbye)

Michael