Vietnam

Day 15 – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

A long bus ride later, with several stops and a border control, I’m in Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City.

I can’t describe the relief, the overwhelming familiarity of getting back to a Western alphabet. I couldn’t have conceived that it would make a difference, especially since I can’t read or speak Vietnamese, but there it is, the city seems less foreign, less strange, more accessible. 

I don’t know why I got convinced that dollars would be used as a main currency as in Cambodia, but it is not the case -and as I withdrew a big amount in Battambang thinking of this, I am stuck with dollars. But it just means that I changed them instead of withdrawing directly Vietnamese dongs. 

And try to use a 100-dollar bill in an economy where things cost 1 to 5 dollars (Cambodia). Thank you stupid ATM. (Though, the real fun is when you get change in Cambodian riel because things cost less than a dollar.)

At least when changing dollars in Vietnam, they take the 100-dollar bill, change half, and give me back 50 dollars in smaller denominations.

The hostel I’m staying at is offering several tours, from the Mekong delta to the tunnels of Cu Chi. The day trip to the Mekong delta appeals: it costs 335,000 VND, or 12.5 EUR. That gives you an idea of the currency rate (I was a millionaire after changing 50 dollars).

One thing about being French (but it won’t be true anymore at the end of the month): you can arrive at any border and stay for up to 15 days without a visa. No formalities needed. Just a stamp and a date by which you have to leave.

Of course, if one wants to stay longer, one has to apply for a visa.

I tried to take a picture of my dinner plate, but my camera didn’t cooperate and I realised that too late. It was a nice plate of chicken with cashew nuts, green beans and green pepper, and rice.

(I booked the Mekong delta tour for tomorrow, so I’m hoping for nice pictures to share!)