More About Saigon

Frank (McGuff) requested more info - what is saigon like?

Using India and Costa Rica as a frame of reference (the only two devloping countries I am familiar with)- it feels more like Costa Rica, in terms of plants, landscape. The people are also more chilled out and "relate-able" in Vietnam and Costa Rica than in India. More western I guess, is all. (Not to say that means India is better or worse...India's exoticism gives it a unique allure). So maybe it's like an Asian Costa Rica? Haha. That comparison is really loose because I am basing it more on my experience in rural/beachy costa rica not San Jose. San Jose is nothing like Saigon from my limited experience of San Jose. Saigon is more rustic and charming and far less sketchy.

From Vietnam

From Vietnam

An interesting thing about Saigon is its various areas. We didn't discover this until the second night nor did we expect it, but Saigon has a whole modern downtown shopping area, similar to other Asian cities. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, "trendy" bars, etc. Not that the places are packed by any means :) We went to a decent restaurant there (filled with all white people).

The area we are staying in is called informally called Backpackers District. When you come to a developing country you have change your notions about the meaning of "touristy." If I was visiting Paris and there was an area called "tourist district" where I could stay I would avoid it. However in a third world country, or at least in Saigon, you generally want to be in a place meant for tourists. It means that you will be able to buy bottled water, have hot showers (an amenity often not available), AC option...let alone find a hotel at all. And it's not as if you walk outside and encounter the kinds of tourists you see in times square. In this case, its about only 10-120% tourists and they are all more worldly types. Actually, I was very impressed to see families here too. Of course, not American families :) In fact, most white people I've overheard are German, Australian, British, few Americans. (The girl on the plane next to me made an interesting comment. She was also going to Vietnam and from Australia. I told her many people were hestitant about my trip or said it wouldnt be safe, and she said: "Were they Americans?" I guess we dont exactly have a reputation for being worldly/adventuous :) ).

From Vietnam in an alley in the backpacker area

In terms of stuff to do - there is a good mix of local places and more tourist-oriented places. In this area there are a decent amount of touristy places, but they dont stand out like sore thumb and there are way more local places and local people so you dont feel like you are somewhere not authentic. The local places are usually open to the street, with about 10 small (low to the ground) plastic table and little plastic stools. The chairs face the street and people sit and chill and eat and drink beer. That's pretty much the scene as you drive around the city. It's totally fine to go to a local place. Even outside the backpackers distrct, they have an english menu or translation on a piece of paper :). Berman has been getting the local beers - Saigon green, 333, etc, and I have a bit too.

From Vietnam hanging out with krista and mario in saigon

Two random pics from the internet..
the modern feel-
http://www.virginmedia.com/images/ho-chi-minh-city.jpg

backpacker area-
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9iupQfHB0JY/RJ5dKDmVABI/AAAAAAAAABI/9DeKoI1DF6M/img_0041.jpg