Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with vietnam

Vietnam: Hanoi or Hoi An?

raf — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:52:31 -0800

3.5 days in Vietnam: Hanoi or Hoi An? We're going to Vietnam for a week over new year's. Half of it will be in a beach resort in Mui Ne; the other half could be in Hanoi or Hoi An. Which should we do? We're three people, 30ish, interested in food and culture and art and nature more than nightlife, etc.

Help me figure out an urban adventure in Saigon!

Televangelist — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:10:52 -0800

Help me have an urban adventure in Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City. I'm traveling there by myself, early 20s guy, and reasonably street smart for Asia (I currently live in southern China). I speak fluent English and advanced Mandarin but no Vietnamese. An ex-girlfriend's family lives outside of Saigon and she's got some young cousins who'll be willing to help show me around if I've got some cash to spare. The area where I live in Guilin already has beautiful scenery, I love urban areas, and I really have little interest in getting out to the countryside, except maybe for a one-day excursion. Thanks for your help in advance, everyone! :) 1. I'm a big fan of getting 'mental postcards' that I'll be able to store in my mind for a long time to come; bustling street scenes, a good view from a high-up perch at dusk, that sort of thing.

2. Huge bonus points for anything that involves breakdancing or Vietnamese hip-hop.

3. Bonus points if you can point me to some great expat rag that tells me what's really going on in the city.

4. Cheap shopping and tailoring are not too interesting to me, unless it's something really 'out there'. I'm traveling light and a full, well-tailored custom suit only costs $50 US back at home in China to begin with.

5. I'm not single, and furthermore not looking for "that sort of thing" anyhow. But I have a reasonably filthy mind, and anything that's perverse in the "Well, now *that's* something you don't see every day!" sense that doesn't require my direct participation is more than welcome. :)

6. The more unique, the more "Only in Saigon", the better. I grew up in Little Saigon in California, and I live in China, so I'm looking for something beyond just "Well, I'm not in Kansas anymore" if possible. :)

7. I really have no idea where I should stay! My general plan is to just figure out an area of the city I want to stay in, and then just walk the street talking price with people until I find one I'm happy with.

8. Will motorbike taxis provide me a helmet, as they do in China? Or should I bring my own?

9. Is there any good, not-completely-touristy breakdown on-line of the different 'areas' of Saigon, and where I should be going?

10. Is there anyone in southern Vietnam who speaks Chinese but not English? Or should I just be starting with English straight out?

11. If you're proposing an activity/area that's particularly dangerous, I'm not reflexively opposed, but please let me know going in. :)

12. Restaurant recommendations are always fun!

Thanks again, everyone! :) Sorry if any of this comes off as overly detailed or demanding, I don't mean it to sound that way!

How do I ship lost jewelry from Vietnam?

snickerdoodle — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:08:11 -0800

Miraclefilter: help me get my lost engagement ring back from Vietnam. While travelling in Hoi An, Vietnam, I dropped my brand-new engagement ring on the beach. Tears and much sand-raking ensued. By some amazing luck, I've just received word that it's been turned into the police station. Unfortunately, I've since returned home to NY.

What's the best way to ship it back? Can I get it through customs without paying duties on it? How do I thank my travel agency in Vietnam, who have been incredibly helpful this entire time?

Best overview book on the Vietnam War?

snap_dragon — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:00:38 -0800

Looking for an essential nonfiction overview (among many available) on the Vietnam War. Any suggestions?

Vietnamese TV, anyone?

mordecai — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:36:34 -0800

Does anyone watch Vietnamese TV here? hey guys, I'm a student doing my BFA in Creative Producing at Chapman and I'm looking for information on Vietnamese television.

I know this is a bit of a long shot, but would you guys be able to help me out? I need information on the kinds of programmes they show on Vietnamese TV, some of the popular shows, whether programmes are imported, if they're dubbed, etc.

I would be able to do this research myself if not for the fact that most Vietnamese websites are, well, in Vietnamese. So I guess I'm really looking for someone who can speak the language?

Thanks folks! I'd appreciate any help!

How to get cheap flights within Asia, specifically between China and Vietnam?

AmbroseChapel — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:05:48 -0800

How to get cheap flights within Asia, specifically between China and Vietnam? On behalf of a friend: if you were in Beijing, where would you go to get cheap flights to Vietnam? My friend is under 26 and a student, if that helps, and needs a return flight Beijing-Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in October.

How best to obtain visas for travel in Vietnam?

pariser — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:23:45 -0800

Is it best to get a Vietnam / Cambodia visa from the consulate, or from one of the companies that provide visas to travelers? I'm a US citizen headed to Southeast Asia in a few weeks (I need a one month multiple entrance visit for travel in Vietnam and a one month single entrance visit for travel in Cambodia).

I've parsed many state department pages and foreign consulate websites, only to find that it is quite expensive to get a Vietnam visa from the consulate, with a $40 visa fee and a $90 consulate fee, per person!

It seems that the $90 fee is really excessive, and upon doing some searches, I came across http://www.myvietnamvisa.com, who provide a "Visa on Arrival" option for $96 for two people.

Has anyone used this company's service? I'm quite a bit apprehensive that I'll arrive at Ho Chi Minh City airport at 11pm and not be allowed to enter the country after many hours of consecutive travel.

what the fuck...is this book?

arniec — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:51:36 -0800

Can you help me remember the name of a book I read 15 years ago which had a character repeatedly using the catchphrase "What the fuck, it's only a buck" when wasting money? Here's what I remember...I was in a college lit class, and it focused heavily on authors who lived in Illinois. It was 1994 or 1995, and this author lived in the Chicago area.

The author's first book was an acclaimed very dramatic Viet Nam story, and I believe the author himself may have been a Viet Nam vet.

For his follow-up book however the author turned to comedy and wrote a lighthearted adventure about a guy who is always down on his luck, penniless, and as we are introduced to this character he is losing money a little bit at a time because with a lotto ticket or whatever, he just says "What the fuck, it's only a buck" and spends a dollar or so.

I remember liking the novel quite a bit, but I don't remember much more about it. It's possible even some of my recollections are incorrect, but I'm between 80% and 100% on the stuff I wrote above.

Anyone know this book?

Help me refine my trip to SE Asia.

hazyspring — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:54:16 -0800

I'm planning a trip to SE Asia for one month. When is the best time to go? How much is it realistic for me to do? Definitely would like to go to Laos and Cambodia. Possibly Vietnam. I just got back from Thailand, and would like to plan a trip to some other countries for next year. I've read some of the other threads, and talked to some backpackers on my trip, and everyone seems to say Laos and Cambodia.

I enjoyed travelling in Thailand during June because it was off-peak, tourist places weren't packed full, and prices were slightly cheaper. It was very hot, and it did rain for about an hour a day, but it didn't bother me too much.

Also, would it be reasonable for me to add Vietnam to this, or is that pushing it? I would like to be able to travel at a moderate place, not moving too quickly from one place to the next.

Who is this person?

KingoftheWhales — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:39:17 -0800

Who is this person to the right of General Abrams? With the sharp part and black glasses on the very far right.

No pithy title: after Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize, irony died.

history is a weapon — Sun, 17 May 2009 06:46:09 -0800

I've read hints here and there that there were American soldiers who flipped sides and joined the Vietnamese. Where can I find definitive accounts of these stories? I'm looking for memoirs, histories, interviews, and articles. A sentence mention in a longer piece is okay if you think it'll lead to something, but is there somewhere I can find the motherlode?

As an aside, I'm also interested in the red scarves and the like, but mostly on people who joined to fight alongside the Vietcong.

Thanks.

Sountrack for sadness

Eddie Mars — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:04:14 -0800

Soundtrack ideas needed. My uncle is a Vietnam vet, and he's dying of cancer. He mentioned to my mother that he regrets never visiting the Memorial Wall in DC.
I live in Philly, so yesterday my wife and I drove down and took a few hundred photos and video taped a slow walk along the whole length. I've put this together as a slide show and a movie using iDVD. Now I'm looking for accompanying music and can't decide what to use.
I need two songs: one for the video of walking along the wall, which lasts 5:46, and one for the slideshow, which lasts about 2 minutes, although this time is flexible.
I want to avoid classical music, which is kind of a cliche for this sort of thing. I'd like a somber tone, but not too much so, if you know what I mean. Music from the period preferred.

The best (or worst?) of political doublespeak

Flying Saucer — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:37:25 -0800

I'm looking for examples of statements -- probably but not necessarily political -- that can be taken two very different ways. Here are two examples. If I could find any more, I wouldn't be posting this question:

Regarding the Vietnam war, Reagan said: "Young Americans must never again be sent to fight and die unless we are prepared to let them win."

If you were against the war, this sounds like an acknowledgment that the war was a mistake, and that young Americans died for nothing. If you were for the war, Reagan is saying that we could have won, but the government and/or the people lacked the will to see it through. Thus, the line pleases everyone and offends no one. Quite an achievement.

Recently, when car company executives were appearing before Congress, one of them said something like, "We let the unions force us into making promises we couldn't keep." I'm afraid I can't find the exact quote.

If you're pro-union, the exec is admitting that the company can't honor its union contract. If you're anti-union, the exec is saying that the unions "forced" his company into making bad decisions.

I'm not saying these statements are good or bad, but they're certainly very clever. Can anyone think of any other examples? I'm not just looking for contradictory quotes a la Yogi Berra or something like Oscar Wilde's quip that "Americans and British are divided by a common language." Those are close, but somehow not right.

Drug use in Vietnam

ottlite — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:12:44 -0800

Anyone recall reading about a novel way they ascertained the prevalence of drug use among soldiers in Vietnam? I just can't recall where I saw it but I think it was probabilistic in nature.

What should I do in Beihai, China?

jmmpangaea — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:00:41 -0800

What would you recommend seeing and doing around Beihai in China? I am going to visit my cousin in Beihai, China from Jan 21 - Feb 6th. For the first week we plan on seeing some of the local sights and experiencing the Chinese New Year, but for the second week I'm not quite sure what to do/see. We were thinking of going to Vietnam or Laos, or possibly staying in China and going up to Beijing.

Looking for some ideas and suggestions.

(Also, if anyone has any experience traveling to Beihai from Hong Kong, I'd love to hear about that too. My current plan is to fly out of Shenzen to Beihai.)

Thanks.

One Week In Southeast Asia

bardic — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:11:24 -0800

Where would I have the most fun for one week -- Cambodia? Viet Nam? Or Laos? I'm in the enviable position of living in Asia right now and I need to start thinking about my vacation. It'll probaby be some time in the Spring (April maybe?), and I'd be going for about a week. I'm leaning towards Cambodia, but I'm open to other suggestions.

I would be 1) travelling by myself 2) with a backpack 3) ideally renting a scooter to get around 4) interested in seeing as much local culture and scenic beauty as possible 5) but not averse to doing a little partying as well. Oh, I'm also fine with cheap. I've been to Thailand and stayed in places that would make a lot of Americans have a seizure. Not that I don't like clean and modern, but down and dirty is OK. It's kind of what I'm looking for, actually. Comfortable is always nice though, I'm just not a picky person.

Information regarding visa and/or health requirements (shots) appreciated (I'm a Yank). But honestly, I'd love to hear some people's impressions of vacations in these places.

Oh, and I speak bar and restaurant French. Would that come in handy?

Vietnam: 196x, The VC are creating trouble in Vinh Binh . . . How do I get there?

MasonDixon — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:48:35 -0800

Following up from this question, are there any good historical Atlases of Vietnam? Indochina? The Vietnam War? South Vietnam? The one Atlas on Vietnam at Amazon seems to have mixed reviews.

Is there anything else? My google-fu finds nothing. Combining Google Maps with the online msn encarta one is the best solution I've come up with so far. Flipping back and forth is not not particularly convenient. They are also contemporary maps and I don't fancy reading in front of my computer all the time.

Follow the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

MasonDixon — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:44:45 -0800

In short, What are the best books (especially books), movies or other media about Vietnam that you know of? (Including the French War.) Fiction or non-fiction.

I've read Caputo's Rumor of War, Karnow's Vietnam, A History and Sheehan's A Bright and Shining Lie.

Will we have a tip-top Tet?

Serial Killer Slumber Party — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:41:30 -0800

Just how chaotic does Vietnam get during Tet? Is it going to be a problem for inexperienced travelers? My girlfriend and I (both 20) are planning on going on our first independent trip around Cambodia and Vietnam during January. Tet will be celebrated while we are away (January 26 I believe) and most travel guides and basic advice we have heard is that traveling can get tricky then due to overbooked hotels and closed services either end of the celebrations.

We will likely be in Hoi An during Tet itself (other possibilities include Hue or Danang) and will mostly be traveling north through Vietnam via bus and train. The festival certainly sounds like a lot of fun (and we can't change the timing of our trip anyhow) but there is still concern about missing out on accommodation or having to settle for more expensive rooms (we are ridiculously poor students).

Is this something that inexperienced travelers should be wary about? And should we book accommodation early (which we'd rather not do)?

Any good Tet stories would be more than welcome.

What should I do in Vietnam?

misterL — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:32:38 -0800

Does anyone have suggestions for me regarding my 14 day trip to Vietnam? I am in my late 20s, I am traveling alone, and I have never traveled in a foreign country before. I am flying into Ho Chi Minh City and would like to explore as much of Vietnam as possible. I was considering traveling by train and heading north. How easy/difficult is it to navigate the train system in Vietnam? Please, any suggestions, destinations, tips, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Vietnam War Songs.

clearly — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:01:22 -0800

What are some of the best/most relevant songs about the Vietnam War or capture the sentiments of that era? I know some pretty good music came out of that generation, and I would like to find some good examples of songs that defined the whole Vietnam War generation.

Thanks.

Vn Dong: Blackmarket rate website?

sydney54 — Thu, 29 May 2008 03:30:42 -0800

Vietnam: Website for Black market Dong Rate? Looking for a website or similar giving me an up to date unofficial rate for the Vietnamese Dong.

What is the name of the short story about a Vietnam draft dodger?

BusyBusyBusy — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:09:49 -0800

Help me remember the name of this short story about a draft dodger in Vietnam. I read a story in high school about a young man who dodges the draft by escaping in the wilderness and trying to cross into Canada (???).

The passage I remember most clearly is about how the young man thought courage was something everyone had a fixed about of, and could mete out as it become necessary. He sadly realizes that though he thought he'd been saving his up for a big event, that he didn't have much to begin with. Or something.

I know this isn't much to work with, but let me know if you have any ideas of the title, author, or where I should look.

Thank you, hive mind!

A book about Indochina, to make my mother happy.

bookish — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:36:58 -0800

My mom wants a book on French Indochina, and I'd like to find a good one for her. Preferably non-fiction, but good fiction with some insight into history and culture would work, too. The exact historical time range is flexible, but she's mostly interested in the area pre-Vietnam War.

Help me pack for southeast asia!

Black_Umbrella — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:04:04 -0800

Help me pack for Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam for 2.5 weeks! In one week i am leaving for Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam for 2.5 weeks. I have a 60L backpack. I have no idea what to pack. I need to pack less then 20 kilo (less is even better). I am a little limited in what i can bring because i am on study abroad in australia so i have a limited supply of items.

Please! Any useful items or tips for southeast asia!