JM Is Going to Vietnam!!

jazzy mary · November-8th-2004, 12:52 PM

No kidding, guys. I'm leaving Thursday Nov. 25 (yes, Thanksgiving Day afternoon) and returning on Dec. 5. I know that's not much time but neither my sister nor I have that much vacation time left. My sister's daughter is in Vietnam now for her "Jr. Year abroad" (she goes to Univ. of Michigan) and this is our chance to go over there and see her. She adores it, btw.

We have our tickets and I've sent off for our visas. On our way over we have a 12 hour layover in Hong Kong. What do you guys suggest for a 12 hour adventure in Hong Kong?

And, of course, any suggestions for Vietnam? This will probably be my most exotic vacation so far--even more than Japan. That is, if the jet lag doesn't kill me!

Valerie · November-8th-2004, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

No kidding, guys. I'm leaving Thursday Nov. 25 (yes, Thanksgiving Day afternoon) and returning on Dec. 5. I know that's not much time but neither my sister nor I have that much vacation time left. My sister's daughter is in Vietnam now for her "Jr. Year abroad" (she goes to Univ. of Michigan) and this is our chance to go over there and see her. She adores it, btw.

We have our tickets and I've sent off for our visas. On our way over we have a 12 hour layover in Hong Kong. What do you guys suggest for a 12 hour adventure in Hong Kong?

And, of course, any suggestions for Vietnam? This will probably be my most exotic vacation so far--even more than Japan. That is, if the jet lag doesn't kill me!

oh, jm, i am so excited for you. my friend, gigi (who has been just about everywhere in the world) said her trip to vietnam was one of her very best experiences. she actually just returned from hong kong, beijing, south africa, rwanda, et al. i'm going to ask her when she returns from mexico what she would suggest for your limited time in hong kong and vietnam.

you go, girl!! this is fantastic news!

jazzy mary · November-8th-2004, 01:01 PM

Great, Val. I appreciate any and all sugggestions. Btw, I e-mailed you last Friday, did you get it?

Uli · November-8th-2004, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

On our way over we have a 12 hour layover in Hong Kong. What do you guys suggest for a 12 hour adventure in Hong Kong?

Shopping & eating, dear. I haven't been there since it was British but I ate the best pigeon in my life in Hong Kong. Not that I eat pigeon every day but this one was tea and campher smoked and came with the most delicious plum sauce

Pete C · November-8th-2004, 01:14 PM

I was in Vietnam about 9 years ago. It was one of my favorite places.

My suggestions:

Avoid Dalat (touristy hill station) and Nha Trang (touristy beach) like the plague. Nha Trang has some of the most relentless touts, vendors & drivers; you'll never get a moment's peace.

Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon is pretty uninteresting, a big, polluted, modernizing Asian city.

I only did a brief day trip to the Mekong Delta (My Tho), and I enjoyed that--I've heard that area is really the highlight of the south.

Hoi An is absolutely wonderful. A river town with a strong ethnic Chinese base. Beautiful and easygoing, with some great cheap seafood eateries by the riverside. Try Cafe Can if it's still there, and ask Mr. Can to do his special multi-course seafood banquet. When I was in Hoi An I was afraid that its small size couldn't withstand the coming tourist invasion so well.

Hue, the imperial capital is worth a short visit, and Danang has a spectacular museum, which is the main reason to go there. (Hoi An, Danang and Hue are all near each other in the central Annam region).

You must visit Ha Long Bay. Stunningly beautiful.

Hanoi is great. At least when I was there it still had a very traditional feel.

So, in general, I most enjoyed northern and central Vietnam.

As far as food is concerned, avoid chicken (always tough & stringy) and beef (not very good quality, even though they eat so much). Pork is always good, and the seafood can be magnificent.

I'll try to think of Hong Kong suggestions.

Jimmy Cantiello · November-8th-2004, 01:20 PM

Considering that I got drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970 the title of this thread made me do a double take. Back then going to Vietnam was nothing to get excited about. Of course, that was another time and another place. Enjoy yourself, Mary.........

jesus marion joseph · November-8th-2004, 01:35 PM

Mrs, jmj and me had visas to visit Viet Nam when we went to Thailand a couple years back, but we never actually made it there. We hope to go someday in the not-too-distant future, though.

Have a great trip! (Bring a walkman or lots of magazines or something; crossing the Pacific seems like you're traveling halfway around the globe.)

Enforcer · November-8th-2004, 01:36 PM

Have fun, Mary!

Gentle Giant · November-8th-2004, 01:48 PM

How do you ask a woman to be the last person to vacation for a mistake?

walto · November-8th-2004, 02:44 PM

Don't carry a lot of cash around with you in Saigon.

Valerie · November-8th-2004, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

How do you ask a woman to be the last person to vacation for a mistake?

it may be none of my business, GG, but i'm curious as to what this means?!?

Gentle Giant · November-8th-2004, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie

it may be none of my business, GG, but i'm curious as to what this means?!?

It's a take-off on John Kerry's testimony after he returned from Vietnam: "How do you ask a man to be the last person to die for a mistake?"

It was meant only as a post-election joke. I certainly wish JM a safe trip and enjoyable vacation.

Ron Thorne · November-8th-2004, 10:22 PM

Wow, jm, how lucky are you?

I anticipated Pete having restaurant recommendations for you. I'm a little surprised that he didn't give you even more specific menu suggestions.

Have a safe and wonderful trip. We hope to see that part of the world some day. So far, our only adventures beyond the U.S. borders have been Canada, and Japan. Hawaii doesn't count, since it's our 50th state. We'd go there in a heartbeat anytime, however ... especially Kaua'i.

Pete C · November-9th-2004, 06:26 AM

The best way to find good restaurants in Vietnam is to refer to a French guidebook, like Routard. You don't want to trust your culinary choices to Lonely Planet.

jazzy mary · November-9th-2004, 11:19 AM

My sister is a vegetarian, so we're somewhat restricted--although I can eat meat. Pete, don't forget Hong Kong--12 hours--where to go, where to eat? Thanks!

Pete C · November-9th-2004, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

My sister is a vegetarian

You have to get somebody to write out the Vietnamese for "I am a strict Buddhist vegetarian." It's not so easy to eat strictly vegetarian in Vietnam, and almost everything is made with nuoc mam (fish sauce). I assume when you say vegetarian you mean vegetarian.

The only country worth being a vegetarian in is India, though I could survive a couple of weeks in Italy as a vegetarian.

Pete C · November-9th-2004, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Pete, don't forget Hong Kong--12 hours--where to go, where to eat? Thanks!

Great Shanghai Restaurant

1/F 26-36 Prat Avenue
Tel: 23668158
Tsim Sha Tsui
11am-11pm

One of Hong Kong's oldest and best Shanghainese restaurants. The older waiters have been serving patrons for over 20 years and attest to the restaurant's history of serving great food. All your favorite Shanghainese classics are cooked deliciously - don't miss out on the tasty steamed and fried dumplings.

I remember that the yellow fish in brown sauce was especially good.

Also, there's a particular tram line you can take that will take you on a scenic tour through all of Hong Kong for next to nothing.

You could probably do high tea at the Peninsula Hotel if that's your thing.

"The classical grandeur of The Peninsula Lobby is the epitome of all that is great about this legendary hotel. The Lobby is a busy but relaxed all-day drinking and dining venue, and one of Hong Kong's premier meeting places. The world-renowned afternoon high tea is a Hong Kong "must" where guests are entertained by a live string band."

jazzy mary · November-9th-2004, 11:59 AM

Pete, you're the greatest!

Pete C · November-9th-2004, 03:09 PM

Mind you, my recommendations are about 8 years old, but here's a very good, relatively upscale Saigon restaurant:

Lemon Grass 4 Nguyen Thiep (tel 08/822 0496). Located off Dong Khoi, this stylish restaurant, complete with Mediterranean-style decor, serves highly rated Vietnamese food to the strains of nightly traditional music recitals. 11am–2pm & 5–10pm.

hornplayer · November-9th-2004, 04:23 PM

I'm green with envy, Mary! You have a fantastic time and take hundreds of pix you can post when you return!

jazzy mary · December-6th-2004, 12:07 PM

I got back yesterday morning, after flying for hours and hours and hours!!!! I'm still a little jet lagged and busy at work. I'll post all about my trip soon. But, I'll just say for now that Vietnam was wonderful!!!!!!!! What a fascinating, wonderful country!!

tippy · December-6th-2004, 12:21 PM

Welcome back, Mary. Of course we'll be standing by to hear about your adventures.

Valerie · December-6th-2004, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

I got back yesterday morning, after flying for hours and hours and hours!!!! I'm still a little jet lagged and busy at work. I'll post all about my trip soon. But, I'll just say for now that Vietnam was wonderful!!!!!!!! What a fascinating, wonderful country!!

so glad to hear that you're back safe and sound, and that you had a wonderful trip. needless to say, i can't wait for the details. and i know i have a lot of company looking forward to the same!

steve(thelil) · December-6th-2004, 06:35 PM

I was gonna post a simple "Ho Ho Ho" but luckily I remembered that this can be taken as other than a reference to the Chi Minster.

Ron Thorne · December-6th-2004, 07:22 PM

Glad you had an enjoyable, safe trip jm. Vietnam and most of Southeast Asia has always fascinated me.

Patti has worked with a lady named Judy at the University Consortium Library for many years. A few months ago, Judy was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Vietnam. So, she and her husband, Paul, who had also worked on campus, in the greenhouse and grounds department, left for Vietnam a few months ago. Patti forwarded a wonderful letter from Paul this morning. If you'd be interested in some of their travels and observations, I'll share the letter, but didn't want to intrude on jazzymary's recollections.

jazzy mary · December-7th-2004, 11:15 AM

Ron, I'd be very interested. Let me post about my trip in a the next few days. I'm hoping my sister will register on JC so she can add ehr observations as she was as fascinated with the country as I was.

clinthopson · December-7th-2004, 12:00 PM

Mary I am waiting your report with baited breath.

jazzy mary · December-16th-2004, 02:18 PM

Guys, I have been so busy with work, Christmas, school things etc. that I haven't had time to post about my trip. It seems like a million years away, now. Sigh...

After the holidays, I will post and then it'll all come back to me!!
Sorry for the delay.

Valerie · December-16th-2004, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Guys, I have been so busy with work, Christmas, school things etc. that I haven't had time to post about my trip. It seems like a million years away, now. Sigh...

After the holidays, I will post and then it'll all come back to me!!
Sorry for the delay.

you're excused, baby, but you better come through in the new year!!

xoxo

jazzy mary · December-17th-2004, 11:02 AM

I will, sweetie. I just started getting some pics. back yesterday and they are really good, so now I'm remembering things...oh yes, Hanoi! I knew I was there!!