Early in the morning of our last day, we went to the money changer first. In Ho Chi Minh, the rate is better than in Singapore. In Singapore, $1 = 12300 Vietnam Don, but in Ho Chi Minh, $1 = VD12860. So next time when you visit Ho Chi Minh, don't change money. In Ho Chi Minh City, there are plenty of money changers, very convenient. Then we went to the market for last minute shopping. It was dirty and messy down there. Things were not cheap. One fake Gucci handbag was about $60. We found lots of roadside shops were selling fake handbags. It was cheaper at those shops. One Chanel handbag is about $23. After shopping we rushed to the airport. The man in the hotel helped us to get a taxi. He said it's about US$6. But the taxi driver demanded US$8. We said the we were told it would be US$6. At first he agreed and we got into the taxi, however, just before reaching the airport he had second thoughts! He said he needs to buy a US$1 ticket, otherwise we could gain entry. He could only drop us at the outside of the airport, there would still be another 1km walk. But through out the whole journey, we did not see him buy any tickets. Well... Anyway it's already better than in Thailand. There are some shops and restaurants inside the airport. But all of them were more expensive than outside. For example, I bought a handbag there which cost $16, but outside only $11.5-$14. One glass of fruit juice is US$5($7).
最后一天早上，我们火速去换钱，这里的汇率比新加坡要好，在新加坡，$1 = 12300 越南盾，而在这里$1= 12860 越南盾，所以游越南时大可不必换好钱再过来，因为这里实在很方便，钱币兑换商到处可见。然后我们火速冲向市场，作最后的血拼。市场又脏又乱，东西也不便宜。如一个假的Gucci包包竟要卖到$60。倒是外面路边上的一些商店比较便宜，这里假名牌到处都是，公开地卖。一个假的Chanel包包大概$23。接下来便要冲向机场，酒店的工作人员帮我们叫了辆出租车，告诉我们大概是美金6块，可司机一张口便要美金8块，当我们质问他难道不是6块么？他才说6块也行，可知道快到机场的时候他又说6块只能拉到机场的外面，他需要1美金买一张进入机场的卷，可从始至终也没见他买任何卷。有什么办法？已经比泰国好了。
机场也有一些商店和餐厅，但比外面贵，我在那里买了一个包包，$16，但外面只要11.5-14块。喝一杯果汁要5美金。
Friday, October 2, 2009
Ho Chi Minh Impression / 胡志明市印象
We booked a jungle boat ride tour (US$45, the book mentioned that the tour included the floating market, but actually not. If you intended to go to the floating market, you would have had to pay additionally, and is only available on weekends) on the next day and dinner cruise tour (US$35, including the water puppet show) in the evening. The jungle boat ride tour was in Long An, Mekong Delta, which was 2-hour's drive from Ho Chi Minh. On arrival at the ferry terminal, we took a ferry ride to go to the island. Things at the ferry terminal were cheaper than Ho Chi Minh city. For example, Vietnamese hats were selling at US$1, but in the city, they were US$1.63.
Mekong river is extremely dirty. There were many roadside stores on the island. The tour guide (she is a Vietnam Chinese, who studied for 3 years at a Chinese school) brought us to visit a coconut candy factory, to show us how they made the coconut candy. I did not check the price, since I was not at all interested. Then we stopped at a makeshift shelter to have some tea and fruits. 5 different fruits (banana, pineapple, dragon fruit, mango and watermelon) were served there, as 5 is the lucky number in Vietnam. Traditional Vietnamese music was presented. Upon finishing, they would collect tips, but it's up to you to give. They also sell honey there. After that, the jungle ride started. It was on a small narrow boat, which only can take 5 or 6 people. The river was extremely narrow, with both banks lavishly covered by bamboos. It was interesting, but very short. The boatman demanded for the tips, but we ignored him. We felt since we have already made the full payment, we should not pay any more. A Vietnamese style lunch was included. The most familiar food being the spring rolls. I like them! Although we can buy the rice paper in Singapore, it is totally different. In Singapore, the rice paper smells bad. But in Vietnam, it was not. The waitress showed us how to make it. First cut a small slice of the fried fish, raw vegetable, cucumber slices, rice noodle then wrap them. Yummy.
At night, the other guide came to fetch us. First he took us to the water puppet show, which is unique in Vietnam. It had many different episodes, quite interesting, I think. Then we went to the Saigon cruise. It also had the traditional Vietnamese music performance there as well as Vietnamese cuisine. The river was dark and the food was no good, but I still enjoyed it.
Late at night, we went to the Hyatt Hotel for a drink. It's pretty expensive, unlike in Singapore, the prices in the hotel are similar to the prices outside.
第二天，我们订了去湄公河三角洲丛林游（书上说美金45元，包括水上市场。但事实上是不包括的，如果你有兴趣游水上市场，需另付费，且只有周末才有）河西贡河游船晚餐（美金35元，也比书上说的贵，但包括水上木偶剧）。丛林游在龙安省，距离胡志明市有差不多两个多小时的车程。到了码头后还要倒船才能上岛，这里的东西比胡志明市要便宜，比如说越南草帽这里卖$1.41，而胡志明市卖$2.3+。
湄公河其脏无比，那种一条大河波浪宽，风吹稻花香两岸的情景大概只有歌里才有吧。岛上到处充斥着小贩，导游（越南华裔，读过三年华校，居住在唐人街）把我们带到一家手工制作椰子糖的工厂参观，向我们展示其制作过程，当然最重要的是推销啦，我连价也没问，根本不感兴趣，感觉这里的卫生条件很差，都不知能不能吃。然后又带我们去了一个临时搭的棚子里，这里给我们提供五种水果和茶水，还有人表演传统的越南音乐和歌曲，表演完后要小费，不过好在你愿意给就给不愿意就拉倒，不像泰国人那样脸皮厚。这里据说也生产蜂蜜，但我也没兴趣。这以后开始了丛林游，在一条窄窄的，两岸长满了竹子的河道上，一条仅能坐5，6人的细长小船穿行于此，很有意思，不过感觉时间好短喔。船夫问我们要小费，我们没给，因为我们觉得我们已经付过钱了，他也没再坚持。接下来就去吃午餐，午餐是越南式的。有著名的越南春卷，服务员向我们展示了其制作方法，将米皮浸水，然后放上炸鱼块，生菜，黄瓜片等放上，然后将它卷起来，味道不错，跟新加坡的完全不同，新加坡的米皮一浸水后就有种臭味，且米皮不粘，很难卷。
晚上，另一个导游来接我们，先去看了水上木偶剧，只是只有越南才有的，也很多小故事组成，也很有意思。接着去了西贡河游船，游船上供应越式晚餐及传统音乐表演，西贡河也很脏，两岸黑漆漆的，但船内的气氛还不错。
夜里，去凯悦饭店喝咖啡，不同于新加坡的是，这里的咖啡比外面贵得实在太多，新加坡则贵点有限。
Mekong river is extremely dirty. There were many roadside stores on the island. The tour guide (she is a Vietnam Chinese, who studied for 3 years at a Chinese school) brought us to visit a coconut candy factory, to show us how they made the coconut candy. I did not check the price, since I was not at all interested. Then we stopped at a makeshift shelter to have some tea and fruits. 5 different fruits (banana, pineapple, dragon fruit, mango and watermelon) were served there, as 5 is the lucky number in Vietnam. Traditional Vietnamese music was presented. Upon finishing, they would collect tips, but it's up to you to give. They also sell honey there. After that, the jungle ride started. It was on a small narrow boat, which only can take 5 or 6 people. The river was extremely narrow, with both banks lavishly covered by bamboos. It was interesting, but very short. The boatman demanded for the tips, but we ignored him. We felt since we have already made the full payment, we should not pay any more. A Vietnamese style lunch was included. The most familiar food being the spring rolls. I like them! Although we can buy the rice paper in Singapore, it is totally different. In Singapore, the rice paper smells bad. But in Vietnam, it was not. The waitress showed us how to make it. First cut a small slice of the fried fish, raw vegetable, cucumber slices, rice noodle then wrap them. Yummy.
At night, the other guide came to fetch us. First he took us to the water puppet show, which is unique in Vietnam. It had many different episodes, quite interesting, I think. Then we went to the Saigon cruise. It also had the traditional Vietnamese music performance there as well as Vietnamese cuisine. The river was dark and the food was no good, but I still enjoyed it.
Late at night, we went to the Hyatt Hotel for a drink. It's pretty expensive, unlike in Singapore, the prices in the hotel are similar to the prices outside.
第二天，我们订了去湄公河三角洲丛林游（书上说美金45元，包括水上市场。但事实上是不包括的，如果你有兴趣游水上市场，需另付费，且只有周末才有）河西贡河游船晚餐（美金35元，也比书上说的贵，但包括水上木偶剧）。丛林游在龙安省，距离胡志明市有差不多两个多小时的车程。到了码头后还要倒船才能上岛，这里的东西比胡志明市要便宜，比如说越南草帽这里卖$1.41，而胡志明市卖$2.3+。
湄公河其脏无比，那种一条大河波浪宽，风吹稻花香两岸的情景大概只有歌里才有吧。岛上到处充斥着小贩，导游（越南华裔，读过三年华校，居住在唐人街）把我们带到一家手工制作椰子糖的工厂参观，向我们展示其制作过程，当然最重要的是推销啦，我连价也没问，根本不感兴趣，感觉这里的卫生条件很差，都不知能不能吃。然后又带我们去了一个临时搭的棚子里，这里给我们提供五种水果和茶水，还有人表演传统的越南音乐和歌曲，表演完后要小费，不过好在你愿意给就给不愿意就拉倒，不像泰国人那样脸皮厚。这里据说也生产蜂蜜，但我也没兴趣。这以后开始了丛林游，在一条窄窄的，两岸长满了竹子的河道上，一条仅能坐5，6人的细长小船穿行于此，很有意思，不过感觉时间好短喔。船夫问我们要小费，我们没给，因为我们觉得我们已经付过钱了，他也没再坚持。接下来就去吃午餐，午餐是越南式的。有著名的越南春卷，服务员向我们展示了其制作方法，将米皮浸水，然后放上炸鱼块，生菜，黄瓜片等放上，然后将它卷起来，味道不错，跟新加坡的完全不同，新加坡的米皮一浸水后就有种臭味，且米皮不粘，很难卷。
晚上，另一个导游来接我们，先去看了水上木偶剧，只是只有越南才有的，也很多小故事组成，也很有意思。接着去了西贡河游船，游船上供应越式晚餐及传统音乐表演，西贡河也很脏，两岸黑漆漆的，但船内的气氛还不错。
夜里，去凯悦饭店喝咖啡，不同于新加坡的是，这里的咖啡比外面贵得实在太多，新加坡则贵点有限。
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Arrived in Vietnam / 初到越南
Last month, I took a short break in Vietnam. As we had only 3 days, so we decided to just visit Ho Chi Minh city. We flew with Tiger Airway and stayed at the 'Catina Saigon Hotel' for 2 nights. The whole package cost $350/person. The airport customs officer bombarded me with many queastions. Some of the questions were a bit strange. The young man in the military stayle uniform asked me what kind of job I'm doing. Are my parents all Chinese? What about my husband? What is he doing? etc. I was really puzzled about these questions. If one of my parents is not Chinese, could it mean I would not be allowed to enter the counter? I told him I'm not married yet. But I still do not understand. What if I had? Does it matter? I was thinking in which way it affects me. I was travelling by myself, so eventhough I had a husband, worse come to worse, say, he's a criminal or even a terrorist, nothing to do with me right?
We were told that we would be staying at a 4-star hotel, in the end we found out the hotel was only 3 and a half. Nevertheless the room is clean, spacious and comfortable. However, there's still a severe problem--the room had no windows.
Upon arrival at the airport, we went looking for a taxi booking office. Because our travel book mentioned that in Vietnam, nobody would use the meter system and it's very easy to get cheated as a foreign tourist. The best way is to get a prepaid ticket. Each ticket cost US$5 to go from the airport to the downtown area. But when we approached the counters, none of them was selling at that price. The cheapest we could get was US$8.
The night, we went to some shops recommended by our book. Everything is more expensive than the book mentioned. But I was surprised Vietnamese really have the most amazing taste. They have a spectrum of goods, ranging from table ware, things for decoration and other craftsmanship. The quality is better than can be found in Thailand, and the prices are no more expensive in comparison.
上月尾，我请了三天假，去越南的胡志明市走了走。我们乘坐的是虎航，在Catina Saigon酒店住了两晚，整个配套$350。在机场，一位穿着军装的年轻官员问了我无数问题，其中一些令人感觉怪怪的。如：你做什么工作？你的父母全是华人吗？你丈夫呢？是做什么的？我百思不得其解。心想幸亏我父母都是纯正华人，不然看起来像进来都难哪。接下来我告诉他我仍未婚，但我实在不明白，我是自己来的，那即便我真的结婚了，且他是个罪犯，甚至是恐怖主义者，但他又没来，会影响到我么？
在来之前，旅行社告诉我们酒店是四星级的，可我们住进去才发现只是3.5星而已。不过房间倒也干净，宽敞，舒适，只是没有窗户。
出关后，我们按照书上所说的去买出租车票，因为越南这地方不打表，游客很容易被骗，所以最好提前买票，书上说每张美金5块，可实际上我们花了8块。
晚上，我们在酒店周围转转，那里有很多小铺子，售卖的东西令人眼花缭乱，也许是受到法国人的影响，越南人的taste不错，从装饰物如花瓶，瓷器，小摆设，及艺术品等应有尽有，感觉质量要比泰国好，而价钱又不比泰国来得贵。
We were told that we would be staying at a 4-star hotel, in the end we found out the hotel was only 3 and a half. Nevertheless the room is clean, spacious and comfortable. However, there's still a severe problem--the room had no windows.
Upon arrival at the airport, we went looking for a taxi booking office. Because our travel book mentioned that in Vietnam, nobody would use the meter system and it's very easy to get cheated as a foreign tourist. The best way is to get a prepaid ticket. Each ticket cost US$5 to go from the airport to the downtown area. But when we approached the counters, none of them was selling at that price. The cheapest we could get was US$8.
The night, we went to some shops recommended by our book. Everything is more expensive than the book mentioned. But I was surprised Vietnamese really have the most amazing taste. They have a spectrum of goods, ranging from table ware, things for decoration and other craftsmanship. The quality is better than can be found in Thailand, and the prices are no more expensive in comparison.
上月尾，我请了三天假，去越南的胡志明市走了走。我们乘坐的是虎航，在Catina Saigon酒店住了两晚，整个配套$350。在机场，一位穿着军装的年轻官员问了我无数问题，其中一些令人感觉怪怪的。如：你做什么工作？你的父母全是华人吗？你丈夫呢？是做什么的？我百思不得其解。心想幸亏我父母都是纯正华人，不然看起来像进来都难哪。接下来我告诉他我仍未婚，但我实在不明白，我是自己来的，那即便我真的结婚了，且他是个罪犯，甚至是恐怖主义者，但他又没来，会影响到我么？
在来之前，旅行社告诉我们酒店是四星级的，可我们住进去才发现只是3.5星而已。不过房间倒也干净，宽敞，舒适，只是没有窗户。
出关后，我们按照书上所说的去买出租车票，因为越南这地方不打表，游客很容易被骗，所以最好提前买票，书上说每张美金5块，可实际上我们花了8块。
晚上，我们在酒店周围转转，那里有很多小铺子，售卖的东西令人眼花缭乱，也许是受到法国人的影响，越南人的taste不错，从装饰物如花瓶，瓷器，小摆设，及艺术品等应有尽有，感觉质量要比泰国好，而价钱又不比泰国来得贵。
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