This is probably a bit lame but I thought I would paint a bit more of a picture of Vietnam; the land and it's people. It's the small things that add up to massive cultural differences and sometimes there is no rhyme nor reason to them...which intrigues me even more! So here are a few quirky things I noted whilst in Vietnam!
- Firstly...the traffic. It is a well known fact that Vietnam has some of the craziest traffic due to the fact that the preferred mode of transport is the scooter or motorbike. There are limited traffic rules and at times it seems like a bum-fight...but then if you look more closely you realise it's actually organised chaos. Traffic flows as it needs to. To cross roads is another story. I had to disagree with Dean the contiki tour guide as he said just walk across and the traffic will avoid you. This is partly true. BUT you have to avoid cars, buses, taxis etc as they don't move for anyone, but when it comes to scooters it's full steam ahead...power across that road and don't stop! There was also crazy honking going on that didn't seem to stop. Drivers honk to cyclists to move over so they canm overtake, they also honk when approaching an intersection to let other traffic know they're coming (there aren't give way or stop signs. Don't be stupid). I also noticed they would put their indicators on if they intend to overtake, perhps to let the car in front know they're going too slow.... So there is some method in their madness.
- It is also quite a bizarre sight to see the Vietnamese covered head to foot...literally, face masks, elbow-length gloves etc. Everyone wears face masks due to the traffic pollution and dust etc but even in 40 degree heat they cover themselves completely as they are obsessed with being white. In complete contrast to us stupid westeners who believe tanned is healthy they believe white is beautiful. Whitening creams are huge over here...so I guess they are just as extreme as we are, just in the opposite way!!
- The food....ah the food! Fresh and light is how I would describe it (sometimes a bit bland and flavourless). Noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner sums it up. Some people can't get into rice and noodles for breakfast...while I'd prefer cereal I'm getting into the noodles to start the day! No wonder they are all so tiny though...they live off noodles and work around the clock!
- Something I disliked was their method of rubbish collection. Basically they throw bags full of rubbish on the street ready for the people pushing massive metal bins around to pick it up. As a result it can be pretty smelly everywhere. Even in Sapa in the mountains, there was rubbish everywhere scattered in and between the quaint little towns. They need to start up a "Clean up Vietnam".
-It was hard to distinguish the Police. There were guys in uniforms everywhere...security standing outside shops, Tourist police...think I saw my first police vehicle in Hanoi. A small pick-up truck with barely distinguishable writing on it's side!
- The nails. Yuk the fingernails.... Guys often have a thumbnail or pinky fingernail that was way too long and manicured for my liking. Someone was telling me it may be a remnant of the 70s where they would use a long pinky fingernail to snort the white stuff. So it's seen as a fashionable thing. I sat next to a guy on the plane, really nicely dressed etc sorta metro but every single nail was an inch long. Bleh. Also sat next to some gorgeous ladies with drawn-on eyebrows and long fingernails....and toenails...guess I was glad they were painted but it's just something I won't understand!!
There were so many more small details and I could go on (and on and on) but i guess you just have to make it to the country yourself. As with any country it's the small details that make it stand out from the rest. And I loved every minute of exploring amazing Vietnam.
