Vietnamese Dry Season

[Blackstone]

Began thinking a year ago about going to Vietnam to retrace a place, culture and era pivotal to my life.

The trip was moving, restorative, invigorating, the Com Hen, Pho Bo and Banh Mi worth the trip alone. Was kind of ambivalent about visiting Hanoi but it turned out to be the highlight of the trip. It’s definitely not Lyndon Johnsons’ Vietnam thankfully.

Life is too short to lead an unexamined life.

[Dazzler]

Did you go to any of the tourist Disneynam places near the 47th parallel? Saigon and Dalat were the highlights for me. Couldn't deal with the greed though.

[Blackstone]

I avoided the touristy Dianeynam thankfully, but did take in several museum/shrines. I spent more of the time around Hue, specifically Lao Bao. Ho Chi Minh City was a quick just to go back type thing but worth it.

The greed as I see it is more of a hustle type thing that seems to be a part of the culture, if you bargain, rarely are you allowed to walk away. I see more greed in NYC, Amsterdam or London where if you don’t pay the exorbitant tariff the next punter will.

[chichi123]

So what did you barter for?

[Blackstone]

Anything a local ‘entrepreneur’ would be selling, food, beverage, lodging. It’s not a westernized economy or society aside from the tourist areas, even then people will work with you. As I said it’s more hustle than greed.

[balou1999]

Thanks for that. Vietnam is high on my last of countries to visit soon.

[docski]

The dry season?

What I remember is temps that hit 100 degrees F and kept on going and going and going.

I heard 130F but never believed it. But I know there were a lot of days above 110F. Maybe in that 120 range at times?

An ugly humid hot.

It was heat that felt like it could melt your skin off.

We prayed for the rainy season. Of course when the rainy season came we prayed for something else.

I'd sure check out the average temps for your dates.

[docski]

Oh and watch out for those tigers , if any are left, if you get into the bush.

Mean suckers. But pretty to look at.