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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 17, 2011 22:32:03 GMT 12
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Post by baronbeeza on Aug 18, 2011 13:41:34 GMT 12
www.vietnamwar.govt.nz/memory/memories-viet-nam''''''''Seaside Vung Tau, formerly known as Phuoc Tuy, has become a pilgrimage point for veterans, and some Australian vets have moved back to live there. ''''' Vung Tau is very much the resort beach for the residents of HCMC. Busy as on the weekends and very quiet during the week. There would be worse places for an old man to settle down for a while and enjoy life.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 18, 2011 18:21:44 GMT 12
I hear Vietnam is a very pretty and tranquil place once you get out of the cities. Great surf too I believe.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 18, 2011 19:00:42 GMT 12
Did you see the Top Gear special where they motorcycled through the country? Stunning scenery all the way.
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Post by baronbeeza on Aug 18, 2011 19:09:13 GMT 12
It is a great place to visit, - and now is the time to do it. It has not been overly Westernised just yet.
It is cheap with Air Asia operating out of ChCh and the dollar goes a long way once you are there. Hotels in the cities can be over $20 but in Quy Nhon I paid $8 which is typical of the smaller cities and towns.
Bus travel is about $6 a day, a meal with beers runs to about $6 also.
I retreat there from Darwin when things get quiet. It is cheaper to go and get a haircut and spend time up there than it is to stay in Darwin for a few weeks.
With a little knowledge of the war history you can navigate to Khe Sahn, Hue, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Long Tan, and My Lai all very easily. Basically only one highway runs up the country, Highway One... sound familiar ?
I should mention that you may want to do a little research on monsoon rains. I was there for many weeks between June and November last year, it rained a lot in Saigon.. I was lucky elsewhere.
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 18, 2011 21:36:39 GMT 12
I hear Vietnam is a very pretty and tranquil place once you get out of the cities. Great surf too I believe. Charlie don't surf!  A few people that I know have been to Vietnam, and they've all raved about the place - including one bloke I know, who isn't what you'd call very tolerant of other nationalities, who loved it so much that he'd go again at the drop of a hat.  Crossing the road in the cities looks to be an interesting experience though! ;D |
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Post by baronbeeza on Aug 18, 2011 22:15:20 GMT 12
Yep, a few things... That is Ben Thanh market in District 1. It is right in the middle of the tourist area at Pham Ngu Lao. You can see the hesitation in the pedestrians. I think the idea is to find a local and walk in his shadow. Basically eyeball the threat but don't stop, just keep walking. Standing in the middle of the road is a mug's game. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pham_Ngu_Lao_street_(Ho_Chi_Minh_City)The traffic in HCMC really is daunting, be afraid... I have never noticed that pedestrian crossing before... never noticed any crossing indeed. They count for nothing. |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 20, 2011 10:52:41 GMT 12
Charlie don't surf! Charlie owns the beach but he don't surf. |
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