Well eventually got here ! Checked and double checked long before left which countries needed visa for only India came up as needed to get before left Peru Japan and Vietnam said could get on arrival so 4th Oct arrived at airport to be told NO we needed to get the visa before could fly so spent £100 to change flight to 5th spent fortune on taxi to and from Embassy spent most of day in embassy got visa another £100 then had to find hotel not good day and we not happy cos could have done it all before for lot less cost ! Found a hotel near to airport it was lovely but on a sort of industrial estate went to the only restaurant there was to eat as hotel didn't do food , it was a sort of transport cafe buy hey cheap cheap Anyway got here day after the hotel in old quarter lovely small hotel staff really friendly and they gave us upgrade on room so got one with balcony no extra cost. It overlooked a very busy street and small railway line not very impressive but loads to watch it was fascinating seems Vietnam people live in large buildings with flat on top of flat. The train only ran once a morning and evening the rest of the time the people living next to or should i say on the line lived their life on the line -- selling things , children playing , washing and generally sat talking !! Walked miles and miles yet again , seems every street sold one item eg lights on one street tools on another bedding on another one street sold nothing but shop mannequins !! and so on.
Across from the hotel could see into a couples flat , Mum Dad and a son around 12 they had no furniture even ate on the floor , at night they all went to the next room laid down on some mats with a mosquito net and slept in a line together ! Mum washed clothes every day in a small bowl . Saw dad come home one evening with a large bag of clothes his wife spent ages looking through and sorting what she wanted. ! Friday night --- they ate then gave son a bowl of something to eat and sat him in front of the tv they went to the other room and drew the curtains !!!
Visited Hoa Lo Prison very disturbing, sad and scary Senator Mcain was a prisoner of war there so that made you realize how recent it was all happening and the conditions were appalling .
First impressions it's very much like India lots scooters beeping hustle and bustle people everywhere sort of organized mayhem !
Went to Ho Chi Minh's Vestige in the Presidential Palace area again beautiful gardens in a lake there were loads enormous fish you could buy food for they actually swam to the edge and totally leaped out of the water to get it !! To get to the gardens we walked for miles as couldn't find it and no one spoke English. ! One area was flagged off with very impressive buildings . Also went to the much recommended water puppet show -- NHA HAT MUA ROI THANG LONG -- fascinating . It was across from a beautiful park where we saw a lot of couples that had just got married having photos taken . Had a ride around the park in a open bus very interesting. Went to look at a beautiful pagoda on the lake. Was taken sightseeing in a small cart with a man pulling it great fun !! The roads were amazing bit like India only in better condition but boy are they busy you literally did take your life in your hands trying to cross with all the bikes and scooters !! Some of the women looking strange in ' pajama suits '. Saw loads little birds in cages and lots little dogs they seem to love .
Two day boat trip to Ha Long Bay absolutely amazing one of the ' new nature 7 wonders of the world ' went into vast cave wonderful unbelievably huge had half hour on a kayak Desrie no good at rowing we kept going round in circles ! While on the kayak could look around the islands, people lived in shacks on platform on the sea ! Back on mainland saw beautiful temples went on two hour boat tour on river just us and two women rowing one with her feet !! Went through three caves while on boat nearly had to lay down they were so low !
Had nails done expertly across the road from hotel both hands and feet for under £5 !!
Glad we waited to get the visa and paid for it as at the time were thinking would it be worth it .
Loved Vietnam found it all amazing /weird / fascinating / interesting oh and people really nice and genuine
So. 10/10
Remember Ha Long Bay
Scooters. Hundreds
Birds in cages
Ladies in P Js all day
Very safe and people friendly