tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post7125805051935085877..comments2024-03-24T09:20:41.762-07:00Comments on With 2 Kids In Tow, It's Backpacking We Go: A Final Word On VietnamWith 2 Kids In Towhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-59423668845574455092018-03-09T01:46:05.958-08:002018-03-09T01:46:05.958-08:00Not just your post is interesting but I love to se...Not just your post is interesting but I love to see other opinions about Vietnam as well. I am a Vietnamese, and I do agree that we have a lot of scam here. But I think you guys should not let it discourage you from explore our country. If you google a little bit you will find quite a few good service from transportation, day tour, accommodation. But if go direct to the place and look around for services without knowing first what to expect, then people will try to charge you more. Part of the reason is bargain has become a culture here, from taking a ride to buy fruit in the market. Luckily, now Uber and Grab has been available. Phone card can be found mostly with fix price. For about 5-6 USD you can take a prepaid card with money inside enough for a 3G Internet package (cost about 3.5 USD which has been loaded in the card). Then you can use Viber to call international. Short local call is not much. If you have to pay more then necessary, remember that it is the Vietnamese dong which is 20k equivalent to 1 USD. Yes, we should be sad if it is too much, but sometime just forget it, with hope there is a good story behind we don't know for the extra amount we pay :). Even me when I go to the market I only do bargain when feeling it really necessary, because it is the way it goes here. One more extreme bright side is I believe people outside are very happy to help you, just don't choose the one who are trying to sell you something. Choose some young guys or women with casual clothes for work in the street and most of them can speak English and will help you with map, address, phone call, and, just in case, even real money if you are really in some situations. Just don't choose people who working in the very low end of tourism industry, like a person offer a bike ride on street corner, street seller, etc.<br />Some places such as Ha long Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh city, Sapa, Da Lat, Nha Trang; they are all good places to go. If you don't might some extra bugs, choose a package offered by travel companies and you should be fine. Vietnam has many things to surprise you and still not cost much compare to other places. We are work B2B travel agency only but for more sample tour and info about destination in Vietnam at out website http://itsvietnam.com. Welcome.Tuan Hohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04791274678993725048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-1611970565035957242016-12-12T21:34:40.525-08:002016-12-12T21:34:40.525-08:00Have you been to Bali? It's fun to barter with...Have you been to Bali? It's fun to barter with the locals there as they are genuinely nice about the whole transaction. And the shopping is great 😜With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-79333408704298808092016-12-12T21:23:57.759-08:002016-12-12T21:23:57.759-08:00Hi!
Personally I was a bit disappointed with the f...Hi!<br />Personally I was a bit disappointed with the food there. Perhaps I've just been a bit spoilt as the Vietnamese food in Vancouver is super tasty 😊With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-18317954389132327702016-11-23T19:22:32.279-08:002016-11-23T19:22:32.279-08:00I would like to do the same trip you did (same iti...I would like to do the same trip you did (same itinerary, maybe spend a little bit more time on the big cities). I loved Thailand and I am pretty sure I would love Vietnam too. I cannot imagine how good the food is in here. Just because we eat Vietnamese food all the time around our house doesn’t mean we have tasted the best the country has to offer.<br /><br />My Blog: http://www.atravelmate.comA Travel Matehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15838425265870244765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-22662588745372862232015-10-27T17:11:24.308-07:002015-10-27T17:11:24.308-07:00There is no need to prebook accomadation in Vietna...There is no need to prebook accomadation in Vietnam- <br />Airbnb and hostel world are better sites to look for beds also trivago, but I would sugest just book first couple of nights and then go with the flow. <br /><br />You should average 20 per night in basic mini hotel. Chelseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00200396610440168522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-73689817927538664862015-10-27T17:09:52.305-07:002015-10-27T17:09:52.305-07:00Thankyou for writting such a lovely and honest rev...Thankyou for writting such a lovely and honest review. I went to Vietnam 10 years ago and was so disappointed with lack of customer service compared to cambodia thailand loas I never went back I go to south east asia quiet often and was considering going back to vietnam as I was hoping the time would allow the service patterns to change but after reading this review and a couple others I see its the same. Too many places in the world to explore while this bothers me. Sure the people are amazing and I think its a cultural clash more then a rip off but I want/need to enjoy my shopping and I dont get that expierence in Vietnam. Will maybe go there when shopping means less to me. Cause the food is jaw-dropping! And the land is gorgeous. Chelseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00200396610440168522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-31266104248329770852015-06-04T03:34:22.888-07:002015-06-04T03:34:22.888-07:00Hi my name is Alex and we are going to Vietnam nex...Hi my name is Alex and we are going to Vietnam next year with 3 of our kids. We recently went to Bali and hated the Kuta area but loved the Ubud area. I've noticed that the hotel price seems quite high when I look for some just mid range type hotels. It doesn't appear to be a seasonal thing either. To me $150-200US a night seems way too much, would you agree and can you suggest a better way to find hotels than the usual online sites. We have learnt that travelling with kids you need a "get out"place like some sort of relaxation time around a pool or somewhere for the kids to get out of your hair ha.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-7844977805559408882015-05-21T12:50:54.332-07:002015-05-21T12:50:54.332-07:00hi claire
thanks for your comment--and i agree wit...hi claire<br />thanks for your comment--and i agree with you about Morocco. i too had visited with a couple of female traveling companions and had THE worst time. later i returned with my now husband and the experience was totally different. sadly in some cultures, males are still more respected than women.<br /><br />In bali, they haggle a lot in the markets but the attitude of the balinese is so friendly and playful and not at all aggressive. and that makes a HUGE difference!With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-87654370383227151812015-05-21T12:46:06.716-07:002015-05-21T12:46:06.716-07:00hi
in general, i wouldn't say that VN is diffi...hi<br />in general, i wouldn't say that VN is difficult to travel at all as everything seemed fairly straightforward. we definitely met some very nice locals who were involved in the hospitality industry but in general, they were few and far between. Unfortunately, Thailand is becoming this way as well. We are definitely there to get to know their country and to get to know it; however, true hospitality should not be dependent on whether we end up eating at their restaurant or not!<br /><br />thanks for checking us out--and happy travels!With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-87319229255093038622015-05-21T12:41:07.573-07:002015-05-21T12:41:07.573-07:00yup!yup!With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-75563087542557375602015-05-21T12:40:41.662-07:002015-05-21T12:40:41.662-07:00Hi!
Thank you very much for your comment! Have yo...Hi!<br />Thank you very much for your comment! Have you seen this post http://with2kidsintow.blogspot.ca/2012/03/so-how-much-did-our-trip-cost.html --there's a spreadsheet (many actually) that shows some of our costs in VN compared to other countries in SEA. Overall, we felt VN offered very good value for your money, especially if you stayed away from the 'touristy' restaurants and shops. beware they do tend to have different (verbal) pricing for staples such as bottled water so you have to know your prices. While the difference doesn't amount to a whole lot, its the principle that we disagree with as a bottle of water should be a bottle of water, and pricing shouldn't be arbitrary based on your perceived ability to pay.<br /><br />have fun!With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-5345710093072866692015-05-20T20:44:08.509-07:002015-05-20T20:44:08.509-07:00Interesting blog, and thank you for sharing your p...Interesting blog, and thank you for sharing your personal experiences so openly! I too felt this way about being ripped off in Vietnam, when I went with my family in 2007. It quickly changed our tone and behavior from donating to little kids that were begging to disappointment in the people, especially being of Vietnamese descent. I need to realize in the greater picture, that I'm blessed to visit from across the world, while they struggle daily to survive. <br /><br />We are returning with our three children. Can you help me understand what we should expect to pay for common necessities while there? <br /><br />Thank you very much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-25957677864465414872014-04-28T09:27:50.531-07:002014-04-28T09:27:50.531-07:00Dressing as a local and knowing a few phrases goes...Dressing as a local and knowing a few phrases goes a long way. I have traveled extensively in India and SE Asia, had the best experiences in places with the fewest tourists and when I tried to dress like the locals, also when you are overwhelmingly positive about their country. That goes a long way. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-42214247641786718922013-11-21T20:37:11.523-08:002013-11-21T20:37:11.523-08:00Hi,
I traveled with a 12 year old few months ago ...Hi, <br />I traveled with a 12 year old few months ago in north Vietnam<br />and we heard and read a lot about how Vietnam is difficult to travel, maybe frustrating because of what you've described....<br />I traveled in 3rd world countries before- and didn't found that to be much different. I believe that a knowledge of what is a reasonable price for yourself to pay- does help in preventing scams etc'. We even found some honest and nice people that work in tourism industry....<br />I believe there are practices that can help one to have a less stressful, always on the guard experience of Vietnam...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-20758218662623789312013-04-01T19:47:18.042-07:002013-04-01T19:47:18.042-07:00Hi Elle
I'm sure you'll be fine traveling/...Hi Elle<br />I'm sure you'll be fine traveling/living in Vietnam as a lone female--just exercise a bit more of the usual common sense and personal safety practices that you would at home ;)<br /><br />Feel free to email me directly if you have anymore specific questions. Thanks for you comment! Good luck on your trip.<br /><br />JessWith 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-4480589964174896322013-03-28T04:57:41.880-07:002013-03-28T04:57:41.880-07:00I've just discovered this blog and it's am...I've just discovered this blog and it's amazing! I'm really enjoying reading all your posts, even though you've been home for a while! I'd love to hear more about your travels through Vietnam, I'll be living over there for 4 months in the middle of this year, and looking to travel some of SEA as well! I'm curious to hear how you think i'll go as a 20 year old Australian female, but the more I read the more excited I get! This blog is amazing, I've loved reading about your travels! <br />Elle xx Ellen Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-69266345537731697332013-02-24T15:40:54.013-08:002013-02-24T15:40:54.013-08:00Hi Nga
Thanks for your comment--it's great to ...Hi Nga<br />Thanks for your comment--it's great to have insight from a person who truly understands the nuances of the culture!<br /><br />I wholly agree that Vietnam is one of the most diverse countries to visit in SEA and that their attitudes need to change in order to become as 'popular' as neighbouring Thailand, who while is much friendlier, is not offering as good value these days. I beg to differ on Cambodia though--pretty cheap and i don't think they rip you off as much. In both Thailand and Cambodia, prices are fixed for things in the grocery stores, whereas it didn't seem the case in VN, thus enabling the merchant to take advantage of you more easily. of course, when it comes to bargaining, well...then it's 'free game' ;)<br /><br />thanks again for your comment.With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-37224379165716201782013-02-24T10:49:24.311-08:002013-02-24T10:49:24.311-08:00Great to read the first half of the blog but sadne...Great to read the first half of the blog but sadness came along as I'm a Vietnamese who travelled a lot too. <br /><br />In Vietnam, there is a huge difference between the rich and poor people. Rich people take very small %, they go to expensive places, tip and allow rip-off to show off. But the majority of poor people get about 100$ monthly salary, working 30 days per months, 10 - 12 hours a day, no weekends. So every day they they try to rip off a few tourists to... double their salary. That's just too tempting. <br />It's a known issues among all educated Vietnamese people but it's quite hard to make it disappear in a short time. So I do advice tourists to Vietnam to do a bit of research/reading before travelling:<br />- Know the price range of things so you can bargain.<br />- Learn a few Hi/Bye in Vietnamese so they think you are expats and treat you differently<br />- Use famous taxi company like Mai Linh, Taxi group... a bit more expensive but the company do QA on the trips by tracking location and randomly check if the driver took the shortest route.<br />- Do not ask/use hotelier in small hotel. They are guard, not hotelier in 4, 5* and don't expect them to do anything for you. Talk to receptionist only, or her boss.<br /><br />I hope your trips to Vietnam will be more pleasant with those tips. <br /><br />PS: And it's worth to mention that even at rip-off price, things are still cheap compare to Thailand and Cambodia. In my travel experience, Thais are warm and honest so it feels better. Cambodia offers about the same rip-off amount but they do rip you off in a better manner, feeling guilty about it, rather than rude and impolite as in Vietnam. If the attitude towards tourist can change, I believe Vietnam is the most diverse country to visit in South East Asia.<br /><br /><br />Nganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-37418684664584942082012-09-24T14:40:38.096-07:002012-09-24T14:40:38.096-07:00Hi
I went to Thailand/Laos/Cambodia in 2004 but r...Hi<br /><br />I went to Thailand/Laos/Cambodia in 2004 but ran out of time to visit Vietnam. Of the three countries I visited Cambodia was my favorite by a mile. I found the people to be so charming and open despite all the horrific (and relatively recent) history. I was taken to a village in the middle of nowhere by a motor cycle driver from my guest house where they had nothing and they did not expect a single thing from me. It was extremely humbling, i know that's a cliche, can't think of a more suitable words.<br />The food in cambodia was also amazing, very important! <br />Laos was unbelievably primitive in comparison to Thailand, for example, Cambodia was somewhere in between. I travelled around as a backpacker on a tight budget so I'm sure it's easier to do it in much more comfort if you wanted too and had kids. I now have a toddler and am not sure that I would go back, purely because I'd be worried about health care in the instance of any illness although I'm sure this is ignorance on my part and that the majority of hospitals and doctors would be great. It's that 'just in case' fear.<br />But what I wanted to say that I agree with the above comments, it is really frustrating and horrible when locals in any country treat you as a walking wallet. When you visit somewhere with the best intentions and are polite and courteous and are there with an open mind and respectful of other customs and cultures - occasionally quite difficult when you don't believe/agree with them yourself. Of course you expect to pay a bit more for some things and maybe rightly so but there is a definite line and it's very offputting when it's crossed. It would be good if locals could appreciate this a bit more and also in their interests too.<br />Have had the worst experiences with this kind of thing in Morroco (which I would never visit again!) where the haggling can be extremely aggressive. My friend was spat on in a shop because he didn't want to buy anything. All in all though travelling is great and the negative experiences are rarely outweighed by the positive ones. Clairenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-25985559732961177342012-07-14T11:58:31.286-07:002012-07-14T11:58:31.286-07:00Thank you for the answer !! We are planning to go ...Thank you for the answer !! We are planning to go next March !!Viviannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-15512996950742994112012-07-12T17:26:51.236-07:002012-07-12T17:26:51.236-07:00Hi Vivian,
We'd totally recommend Vietnam with...Hi Vivian,<br />We'd totally recommend Vietnam with a toddler. We didn't find that there were any particular issues with food and health, other than the basic travel rules of hygiene that applies to travel in asia in general (bottled water, avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, etc).<br /><br /> If you look closely in each town/city, at around 4:40pm everyday there is usually somewhere in a central square where vendors will set up rentals of ride-alongs/trikes, etc. The stuff they rent is all used so it's cheap and fun for the kiddies. Also, there's usually somewhere in town where they'll have a nightly amusement park with kiddie rides. We found lots of stuff for the under 6yrs set.<br /><br />thanks for stopping by and have fun if you do decide to go!With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-72663781769960948142012-07-12T08:04:52.052-07:002012-07-12T08:04:52.052-07:00I'm loving this blog!
I am from Argentina, we...I'm loving this blog!<br /><br />I am from Argentina, we live en Patagonia, and We are planning to visit Vietnam with our 1 year old son. I want to know if you recommend Vietnam for such a young child. We are a little concern about health there (Food, illness, etc). What is your opinion of the country? Is it "safe" for a 1 year old child?Viviannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-91544230849799927692012-02-27T01:58:40.638-08:002012-02-27T01:58:40.638-08:00Sadly, we believe that increased tourism seems to ...Sadly, we believe that increased tourism seems to just fuel this attitude. Have you seen this recent article [http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/business/foreign-tourists-robbed-everywhere-1.60809]<br /><br />We also recently found that Thailand is heading down this same path :(<br /><br />Thanks for visiting us and for your comment!With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-77477074362921630012012-02-25T11:42:14.532-08:002012-02-25T11:42:14.532-08:00Interesting read. My husband and l travelled Viet...Interesting read. My husband and l travelled Vietnam back in 2004 and had an absolutely fabulous time except for the same problems that you and your family have experienced. We thought this problem would get better as more tourists visited but obviously this is not the case. What an amazing country and people though! I love reading your blog as we are just planning to backpack SE Asia with our 2 children so thanks for sharing all this information it is very helpful.Chelseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06763799036411778310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487999432961323989.post-88268314751331364682012-02-13T04:48:30.084-08:002012-02-13T04:48:30.084-08:00Here's an interesting article on the practice ...Here's an interesting article on the practice of 'ripping off tourists' in Vietnam --seems that we aren't the only ones who feel this way! http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/business/foreign-tourists-robbed-everywhere-1.60809With 2 Kids In Towhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698525647389998509noreply@blogger.com