**Pics** of my recent vacation in Vietnam

[ponyo]

Thanks for sharing! I really want to visit before the country becomes too Westernized. I've become big fan of the cuisine and the people seem very friendly. I caught the Bourdain show of Vietnam and the place looks amazing. If I only had the time...

 

[rudeguy]

are the white guys POWs?

 

[zinfamous]

I couldn't live in a city over there. It would drive me insane being so close to people all the time.

I think this is why Durian is so popular.

:sneaky:

 

[Kroze]

I've always wanted to go to Vietnam. Would it still be worth going if I didn't speak any Vietnamese?

Definitely, if you do go stay at the capital (Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City) as the city is filled with tourist and a lot of people speak english. Be prepare to barter for everything you buy though and the merchant there will gouge your butt off in term of prices because they know you're american.

OP, nice pics. Did you plan your trip for the last Lunar New Year (Year of the Rabbit 2011)? What airline was it? First class seat?

I thought the exchange rate is higher now, $1 USD = 22K VND.

I made the trips in 2009 and 2010 but could not on 2011 (not enough vacation days). Planning to get one next year in 2012. First ever ATOT meet in Saigon in 2012?

I will be your guide, show me the money (USD only..LOL). Seriously, you can speak English in Saigon (largest city in VN) but you probably would be ok if you stay with the tour group.

No it wasn't planned but I did go last year (February 2010) and this year (Feb 2011). Yes you're right about the exchange rate, it's better than last year which was $19k VND.

My vacation are always short, my job only give me 2 weeks Hopefully if i get laid off I'll go back for a whole month.

my caffeine tolerance is so high vietnamese coffee does nothing.

Dude the coffee in VN is ridiculous for me, it's like drinking 100% pure cocaine and it makes you realize how much of a watered down POS coffee in America is.

 

[Kroze]

Awesome pics, Kroze.

I have never been to Vietnam but have visited my birth country twice (Cambodia) and can relate to some of the things you've experienced. Saving for another trip at the end of this year. I will only go during the winter months (Nov, Dec, or Jan) because the heat and humidity is just overbearing for me any other time of year.

You know what I think you're right, even in February it's still humid as heck at night. The temperature was hot 90degrees during the day, and drop down to 80s at night. It's better that you go September to January as the price of tickets will be a lot cheaper.

1.) How much did this entire trip cost?
2.) Weren't you the guy who complained about been fired a few months ago? How were you able to afford this trip?
3.) Saigon traffic is nothing. Go experience traffic on Third mainland bridge and you'll know what REAL traffic is.

The only expensive thing is the plane ticket, for the entire 2 weeks there I didn't spend more than $500. Most of the cost was from me buying gifts for people over here. I also gave $500 away to friends & relatives.

Granted my family pretty much pay for a lot of stuff during our trip or else my cost would have been a little bit higher. Still though, $50 will buy you a sit-down dinner type at a nice restaurants for 8-12 people including beers.:thumbsup:

Yea I'm that guy who's losing his job. But I got this trip budgeted the year prior. It's great when you budget ahead, that way when you go on vacation you don't have to worry about anything. I bought the tickets 5 months in advance and brought $2k back for my vacation. I spent only half of it and $500 of it was from me giving it away to people.
Hell, if I get lay off that would mean i'll have more time to go on vacation. It sucks having only 2 weeks to go to Vietnam. Most people who go to Vietnam usually take a whole month.

What is this "Vietnam" you speak of? Never heard of such a place!

:hmm:

Sure you have, you lost your leg in 'NAM

 

[Kroze]

nice pics. this thread delivers.

thanks for sharing ! nice pics !

Nice pics, thanks.

Thanks guys

 

[Kroze]

are the white guys POWs?

No! LOL.

One is my step dad and the other is his cousin. The step dad has been back to Vietnam 6 times already and he loved it so much He told everyone to go visit Vietnam, which his cousin did. It was his first time and he loved it too.

He and my mom is planning to retire over there, they've bought some lands and looking to build a 3 story house. Hopefully the house will be ready this time next year. Considering the average person's salary is $300/month over there, they will live like kings and queens with his retirement pension & both of their Social Security income.

 

[lothar]

The only expensive thing is the plane ticket, for the entire 2 weeks there I didn't spend more than $500. Most of the cost was from me buying gifts for people over here. I also gave $500 away to friends & relatives.

Granted my family pretty much pay for a lot of stuff during our trip or else my cost would have been a little bit higher. Still though, $50 will buy you a sit-down dinner type at a nice restaurants for 8-12 people including beers.:thumbsup:
Yea I'm that guy who's losing his job. But I got this trip budgeted the year prior. It's great when you budget ahead, that way when you go on vacation you don't have to worry about anything. I bought the tickets 5 months in advance and brought $2k back for my vacation. I spent only half of it and $500 of it was from me giving it away to people.
Hell, if I get lay off that would mean i'll have more time to go on vacation. It sucks having only 2 weeks to go to Vietnam. Most people who go to Vietnam usually take a whole month.

Plane ticket for me to go "home" is about $1.2-1.4k
Good to see that you planned well in advance and had it already budgeted and paid for. More Americans should practice your philosophy :thumbsup:

Going home for 2 weeks sucks for me as well.
I usually take IOU's or make people who already owe me days pay back to extend my vacation to 3 weeks.

Thank you for answering the question. Don't mind that other troll that quoted me trying to derail your thread. If I was in your position I would have gone as well since the tickets are likely non-refundable.

 

[Pocatello]

Awesome pics.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

i did too

2 drip tins + 2 cups and then combine both to make 1 uber cup.


still prefer american coffee these days.

Really? The only american coffee that is somewhat decent for me is an americano with an extra shot. Everything else feels like water to me.

 

[blamb425]

I love Nha Trang beach....I'm fairly certain that I also ate at the exact same restaurant you did. Great stuff.

Can't forget the delicious coconuts and coffee--but no pictures of vietnamese sandwiches/hoagies?

 

[shopbruin]

Something light for breakfast. Oh that ice coffee sitting behind the bowl is like steroid compare to the coffee in america. Drinking that coffee is like you're drinking 10 energy drinks.

That isn't Bo kho is it?

 

[Kroze]

are the white guys POWs?

That isn't Bo kho is it?

Yes it is and it was delicious

 

[Tweak155]

Love it.

 

[Svnla]

Plane ticket for me to go "home" is about $1.2-1.4K.

It is more expensive now.

I just check online for 1 round trip ticket from USA to VN and the cheapest was about $1.6K (leaving in early Jan 12 and coming back in early Feb 12). Hopefully, it will be cheaper later <crossing fingers>.

 

[PimpJuice]

Plane ticket for me to go "home" is about $1.2-1.4k
Good to see that you planned well in advance and had it already budgeted and paid for. More Americans should practice your philosophy :thumbsup:

Thank you for answering the question. Don't mind that other troll that quoted me trying to derail your thread. If I was in your position I would have gone as well since the tickets are likely non-refundable.

Its just funny that you think he has to explain how he paid for his trip even though hes getting laid off. You're not his accountant and it honestly is none of your business, but he answered cause hes too nice to tell you to screw off.

I enjoyed the pictures, thanks for sharing.

 

[dighn]

Awesome pics.

yeah. thanks for sharing.

 

[Kroze]

yeah. thanks for sharing.

Is that..Above & Beyond - Tristate
in your avatar? :thumbsup:

 

[dighn]

Is that..Above & Beyond - Tristate
in your avatar? :thumbsup:

it's just a impossible triangle. but that looks interesting

 

[Powermoloch]

what happened to the dog :O?

 

[Ns1]

Really? The only american coffee that is somewhat decent for me is an americano with an extra shot. Everything else feels like water to me.

Start drinking 5+ shots for breakfast. Americano = watered down espresso.



So get 5 shots of espresso on ice add milk/sugar = awesome

 

[lothar]

Its just funny that you think he has to explain how he paid for his trip even though hes getting laid off. You're not his accountant and it honestly is none of your business, but he answered cause hes too nice to tell you to screw off.

I enjoyed the pictures, thanks for sharing.

Where did I say he had to explain? He didn't have to answer my question if he didn't want to. He chose to do it of his own free will.

Where did I say I was his accountant?
Yes, and it's also none of your business to respond to the questions I asked him.

You really are making yourself to be quite the moron of this thread. By all means, please continue.
What a fool.

 

[Kroze]

what happened to the dog :O?

Someone kidnap it :'(

I really love that dog

 

[The_Dude8]

Plane ticket for me to go "home" is about $1.2-1.4k
Good to see that you planned well in advance and had it already budgeted and paid for. More Americans should practice your philosophy :thumbsup:

Going home for 2 weeks sucks for me as well.
I usually take IOU's or make people who already owe me days pay back to extend my vacation to 3 weeks.

Thank you for answering the question. Don't mind that other troll that quoted me trying to derail your thread. If I was in your position I would have gone as well since the tickets are likely non-refundable.

my plane ticket was $1.4k when i went back to vietnam in late november of last year via eva air.

if I flew AA, ticket was $1k back then. I spent most of my time in HCMC.

OP, nice pictures, and congrat being the token az dude with the white gf. That is like every az guys' dream. lol

What district was that nice 2 stories house located in? It's either district 1, 3 or 7, since I only seen those kind of houses in those districts.

btw, the massage are to die for and they're cheap as hell.

 

[Jeff7]

...

I do believe I would produce copious quantities of various foul waste products if I turned the corner and that was standing there staring back at me.