Visa: We applied in advance through Vietnam-Evisa.org it was a bit expensive at 120 USD for both of us, but as you have to apply in advance, I do recommend using a service. They meet you in customs and handle your paperwork for your visa on arrival. They just had us sit down and then brought us our papers.
Currency- We got in advance some Vietnamese Dong from AAA, but found they also widely accept USD in Vietnam.
Transport- We had arranged for the hotel to pick us up, but when they didn't show we went out to the taxis. We showed them the address and negotiated a price between their limited English, my limited French, and Google translate we got them to agree on a price about the same as what we originally thought the driver was going to require.
Accommodations: We stayed at Annam Legend Hotel in Hanoi before and after the pick up by Indochina Junk. It was nice and very affordable at 22 USD a night. I do recommend upgrading and paying slightly more for a nicer room as the cheaper ones smelled a bit of mildew, but were clean enough.
Language: A large amount of people spoke English and French but obviously Vietnamese is the official language and most common.
Our Time:
We found that counties that dealt with French oppression have great food but a poorer people. Although they have suffered greatly, the people of this communist country are very gracious and kind. Even after the Vietnam War or as they call it the American War, they welcomed us. We started in Hanoi and got picked up from our hotel by Indochina Junk cruises. This was not the cheapest option, but from friends and blogs I learned they take you to more remote places in Halong Bay and give you more for your money including transport, food, kayaking, rooms, and guides. We lived like kings which honestly made us feel a bit guilty when compared to living conditions in many places we saw there.
After three days on the boat we returned to Hanoi, where we wandered the city. The following day I had booked a tour with Hanoi Kids to show us the food and the city. Unfortunately I had gotten food poisoning the night before and was unable to go, but my husband and sister thoroughly enjoyed finding new restaurants and places with locals. They talked about nerdy things and politics. My sister felt more than even on the boat that their view on women was dated. However, I was aware of this on the boat with them not trusting my sister and I in a kayak without a male.
However that was small and kinda cute compared to the cooking class the next day. The chef and owner of the Blue Butterfly was boasting about in broken English about something no one in the room could understand when he asked if any of us cooked. My husband already annoyed with his chauvinistic attitude spoke up and told him I was a chef. To which he responded, "Was? What do you do now?" Me, "I am now a nurse." Him, "It was too hard to be a chef, it is very hard work." Husband sarcastically, " Yeah it's much easier to deal with peoples lives, than peoples food." Me quietly, " Honey this is the attitude of most chefs and their culture only makes it worse. Don't worry about it." The class was good and we did learn a few things, but the pho was horrible due to the ingredient of sea worms which gave it an odd flavor. This class was expensive, but the only one I could book on short notice. The class I wanted was an in home cooking class with a Vietnamese family, but it was unavailable. Due to their view on women, our saying became, "When this country enters the 19th century it is going to be incredible."
This country has so much to see and do. It's people and landscapes are amazing and Vietnam is definitely a country to visit.
Currency- We got in advance some Vietnamese Dong from AAA, but found they also widely accept USD in Vietnam.
Transport- We had arranged for the hotel to pick us up, but when they didn't show we went out to the taxis. We showed them the address and negotiated a price between their limited English, my limited French, and Google translate we got them to agree on a price about the same as what we originally thought the driver was going to require.
Accommodations: We stayed at Annam Legend Hotel in Hanoi before and after the pick up by Indochina Junk. It was nice and very affordable at 22 USD a night. I do recommend upgrading and paying slightly more for a nicer room as the cheaper ones smelled a bit of mildew, but were clean enough.
Language: A large amount of people spoke English and French but obviously Vietnamese is the official language and most common.
Our Time:
We found that counties that dealt with French oppression have great food but a poorer people. Although they have suffered greatly, the people of this communist country are very gracious and kind. Even after the Vietnam War or as they call it the American War, they welcomed us. We started in Hanoi and got picked up from our hotel by Indochina Junk cruises. This was not the cheapest option, but from friends and blogs I learned they take you to more remote places in Halong Bay and give you more for your money including transport, food, kayaking, rooms, and guides. We lived like kings which honestly made us feel a bit guilty when compared to living conditions in many places we saw there.
After three days on the boat we returned to Hanoi, where we wandered the city. The following day I had booked a tour with Hanoi Kids to show us the food and the city. Unfortunately I had gotten food poisoning the night before and was unable to go, but my husband and sister thoroughly enjoyed finding new restaurants and places with locals. They talked about nerdy things and politics. My sister felt more than even on the boat that their view on women was dated. However, I was aware of this on the boat with them not trusting my sister and I in a kayak without a male.
However that was small and kinda cute compared to the cooking class the next day. The chef and owner of the Blue Butterfly was boasting about in broken English about something no one in the room could understand when he asked if any of us cooked. My husband already annoyed with his chauvinistic attitude spoke up and told him I was a chef. To which he responded, "Was? What do you do now?" Me, "I am now a nurse." Him, "It was too hard to be a chef, it is very hard work." Husband sarcastically, " Yeah it's much easier to deal with peoples lives, than peoples food." Me quietly, " Honey this is the attitude of most chefs and their culture only makes it worse. Don't worry about it." The class was good and we did learn a few things, but the pho was horrible due to the ingredient of sea worms which gave it an odd flavor. This class was expensive, but the only one I could book on short notice. The class I wanted was an in home cooking class with a Vietnamese family, but it was unavailable. Due to their view on women, our saying became, "When this country enters the 19th century it is going to be incredible."
This country has so much to see and do. It's people and landscapes are amazing and Vietnam is definitely a country to visit.