Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam

[auriga]

Nasty one! :shock:

 

[drron]

wow. what a cab story. Agree that I would not have expected this to occur in Vietnam.

I certainly expected something similiar-friends and family have been mugged in Hanoi-we were lucky,just ripped off.
Sure you are not in some kind of Action movie Theme Park MunitalP?
Loving the TR.Sorry about the experience.

 

[munitalP]

I certainly expected something similiar-friends and family have been mugged in Hanoi-we were lucky,just ripped off.
Sure you are not in some kind of Action movie Theme Park MunitalP?
Loving the TR.Sorry about the experience.

LOL, wish I had of been, that way I could have paid my $5, taken the ride again and been ready for the con!

LOl


Live and learn I guess

munitalP

 

[RB]

I have read this with interest and enjoyed your report having visited Vietnam a few times, but the last time being 5 yrs ago. Maybe things have changed. My recollection was that the Daewoo was located in a far from ideal location but then at that time I thought one of the attractions was wandering around the Old Town & its trade streets and the main lake. We enjoyed fantastic times mixing with locals, the water puppet show, bars ( especially the jazz bar), great food etc. The Old Quarter was certainly no security risk but then again I never consider carrying a wallet or camera in a backpack either- I thought that was in overseas security 101.

 

[munitalP]

I have read this with interest and enjoyed your report having visited Vietnam a few times, but the last time being 5 yrs ago. Maybe things have changed. My recollection was that the Daewoo was located in a far from ideal location but then at that time I thought one of the attractions was wandering around the Old Town & its trade streets and the main lake. We enjoyed fantastic times mixing with locals, the water puppet show, bars ( especially the jazz bar), great food etc. The Old Quarter was certainly no security risk but then again I never consider carrying a wallet or camera in a backpack either- I thought that was in overseas security 101.

The Daewoo may not be in the best spot for a tourist I agree, but if you noticed from the first part of this report, nothing else was available of any substance during that period. In saying that however, it was located better for what I was in Ha Noi for, work. If I was there on holiday, I would be staying at the Sofitel.

As for the backpack comment, where do you propose I carry the 300mm lens?

Theres more to come

 

[k_sheep]

Great report, and a timely reminder - I've been getting pretty lax with my security of late (having spent a lot of time in "safe" places). I'm off to Hanoi in a few days, so I'll dig out the money belt again.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes a most timely reminder on security.

I have predetermined amounts of money in pockets, never count in front of others, no no to back streets, you lose any advantage, never off the ground floor either unless the place is well known.

First trips I always hire a car and driver from hotel, can negotiate good day rates.

Very good book on SAS basic security available - google it

When you think you know it all, head off to joburg!! And start again!

 

[munitalP]

Sunday 14th November 2010

I woke well after sun up today, it does not help that last nights sleep was tossing and turning broken sleep – oh well, I’m over the hill do the downward slope to leaving here now.

I managed 45 minutes on the treadmill before I went for a late breakfast – nearly killed me, and I am paining where I landed heavy on my shoulder yesterday. I basically spent the entire day either in the lobby lounge or in my room today. I didn’t feel like going out, call it nerves or what, I don’t know, but the appeal (little of it) that there was of Ha Noi has gone and I can’t wait till Thursday when Ha Noi is literally behind me getting smaller on the horizon.

Early evening I wandered into JJ’s bar, and pegged a claim in front of the large screen for the F1 GP screening. I had a pizza for dinner, had my iPad out and connected to the free WiFi, and had a few cold Carlsbergs up to and including during the GP. Afterward, it was time for bed.

Monday 15th November 2010

Awake early again and out for a walk around the big block before breakfast. Again the Hilton provided a wonderful breakfast, and again my choice was scrambled eggs, ham, cherry tomatoes, fresh bread, OJ and coffee. I found my driver waiting for me at around 0730 and we headed off through the insanity. Today there was another Australian arriving from Bangkok to accompany me through this stage of the process – he was from the supplier, and I was a little taken back with this as I considered there would be an impedance to my independence expected from my customer. I needn’t have worried, this guy was on a junket and wasn’t afraid to show it – very low impedance experienced! (Impedance is Electrical Engineers speak )

A very full day at the factory saw this new bloke and myself being driven back to the Hilton and arriving at about 7pm. I bee lined to the bar and washed the grime and dust away with a couple of cold Carlsbergs, then went up to my room to shower and change.

I walked across the road to a Chinese restaurant and had a look at their menu, nothing jumped out at me screaming "eat me", so I headed in the general direction of where the coffee man was looking for somewhere else to eat. I found a couple of places, but again, nothing appealed (from the picture menus) so I went back to the Hilton and had a Vietnamese salad and Australian steak. I think the steak shipment got mixed up with the export leather shipment, because it certainly gave my jaw a workout!

I had a nice bottle of Chardy with dinner then headed back to the room for bed.

Tuesday 16th November 2010

The day progressed the same as the previous with the exception of the evening.
The supplier invited me to dinner somewhere in downtown Ha Noi, and arranged to meet me (us) at the Hilton lobby at about 1930. On time they arrived, and compulsory drinks were had prior to leaving. One of the gents, an ex-pat Australian, his driver was waiting outside and we got whisked through to supposedly the best Chinese restaurant in Ha Noi.

Most of the upstairs area was taken up with a private dining area, tonight it was a single table with 20ish managers and senior staff from the supplier there. The supplier uses this restaurant for the monthly management meeting, so we had arrived at the end of the meeting and the beginning of the festivities.

Meals were served in either single serve bowls, or served as an all in plate. There were bowls of chili as well as a salty vinaigrette mixture placed in front of each of us. Me being me, I grabbed a reasonable slice of chili (orange one) and experienced pain so great I thought my eyeballs were going to melt! The locals were gagging with laughter, I was in a deep flush absolutely on fire! Honestly took more than 10 minutes for the burn to go away and that was with ice cold Heineken to chill the burn.

I was then told the chili was there to drop a slice into the salty mixture to give it some bite which I did, and it was a very nice dipping sauce.

We ate and drank for hours, excellent food even though I didn’t recognize some of the items being offered, and plenty of wine to wash the meal down with.

We progressed to I think it was the Monkey Bar, a fun bar with a heap of good looking bar runners (!) and live music. The beer was flowing, the music was good, and time was flying. Come midnight, I pulled the pin on my night out, bid farewell and got a “Hanoi Taxi” back to the Hilton.

 

[munitalP]

Wednesday 17th November 2010

For the first time since I have been here, my alarm woke me up. I only had time for a shower and breakfast, and I was meeting the driver downstairs. I think I should have stuck with beer alone last night, my head hurts and the sun’s brighter than normal, and all the horns on motor cycles and cars have had their volumes turned up…

The day progressed through to about 1330 when finally it was over. Everyone was happy, documents signed off and it was time to think about leaving. I had also done my official report on Saturdays happenings for the supplier to hand to the police. I explained to my host that I wanted to see a plane that had been shot down and left where it landed. After a number of conversations with numerous people in the office, my host finally thought they knew what I was talking about (I had seen it on an episode of top gear, so it could have been anywhere in Vietnam, not just Ha Noi) and instructed the driver to take us there. This poor bloke thought he was in for an easy afternoon!

As a reward for his inconvenience, I had him stop at a roadside sunglasses seller, and I bought him a pair of the latest Ray Ban genuine fakes – he was beside himself, and they cost me 100k VND (~$5). His English suddenly improved – this really P’ed me off – I would have bought him sunglasses day 1 if I had of known that was going to happen!

We drove through the back streets of Ha Noi, and I must say it was lovely. Green trees, narrow streets, French influenced buildings, why the heck did it take this long to see this other side of Ha Noi? Perhaps because I had started being a tourist, albeit for half a day!

Eventually after a few false starts, we drove down a narrow alley and ended up in a kind of court yard that was a lake about half the size of a footy pitch, and sure enough, there was part wreckage of a B52 bomber that had been shot down, and had landed in this lake. It was very somber. The place was also very quiet – most likely from the buildings surrounding the wreckage, but the silence was fitting, with only the occasional laughter from some people playing Viet Chess on the other side of the lake. Somber is actually the wrong word, humbling sums it up better.

After leaving there and being dropped back at the Hilton, I had planned to go for a walk through the old quarter at night to see if I could improve my initial impressions, but in the end I couldn’t be buggered. I walked across to the bar opposite from the Hilton, and had a few quiet ales while watching the world pass by below me and reflecting on see the aircraft wreckage in the lake knowing that people died there, and enjoyed myself more than I would have going to the old quarter I think.

Soon I was back over to the Hilton where I feasted on a fantastic Vietnamese meal – crab noodle soup and duck (again!), working on the fact that it was so darn good the first time, round two would be the same. I wasn’t disappointed except in my choice of a French Chardy to wash it down.

Soon I was off to organize a wake up call, then off to bed. Tomorrows a big day – time to head home!

 

[munitalP]

And the wreck itself

 

[Flashback]

Great TR munitalP, entertaining as always

 

[Sprucegoose]

A very honest and confronted Munital sharing his intimate thoughts (random and pre med) with us is refreshing.

Coy often send people away and not having them fully briefed or prepared for the range of their new circumstances. Very silly practice.

 

[ArseneV]

Great trip report mate.

Sorry to hear about the taxi trip but glad you got out safe. It's quite rare to hear about things like that these days.

One thing I gotta say though - giving that coffee hawker nearly 40 times the cost of a cup of coffee is not the best way to show the Vietnamese people how we treat money. This is the kind of act that makes taxi drivers (and others) like yours think we are easy targets.
Obviously that one act didn't help instigate your taxi mugging but I really wish all us western tourists would start paying what things cost.
Also, these street coffee/tea stallls are an integral part of Hanoi and the guy probably makes an ok living.

Things are on an upswing here in Vietnam - for all classes!

If anyone needs any on the ground advice for Hanoi - PM me. It's a fantastic city.

 

[nlagalle]

Another fantastic TR MunitalP! always enjoy reading yours!

Nick

 

[jandj]

I always enjoy reading TRs', and this is absolutely no exception.
Tks MunitaIP, bit of a wild old ride in parts !! hope no lasting effects.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Great trip report mate.

Sorry to hear about the taxi trip but glad you got out safe. It's quite rare to hear about things like that these days.

One thing I gotta say though - giving that coffee hawker nearly 40 times the cost of a cup of coffee is not the best way to show the Vietnamese people how we treat money. This is the kind of act that makes taxi drivers (and others) like yours think we are easy targets.
Obviously that one act didn't help instigate your taxi mugging but I really wish all us western tourists would start paying what things cost.
Also, these street coffee/tea stallls are an integral part of Hanoi and the guy






probably makes an ok living.








Things are on an upswing here in Vietnam - for all classes!

If anyone needs any on the ground advice for Hanoi - PM me. It's a fantastic city.

We all can't behave like slum dog millionaire at the click of the fingers. While I don't disagree with you in comments re 40 times coffee, these matters often take a generation to change And much experience.

The OP was prepared to make mistakes and risk for experience and that is to be applauded

 

[anat0l]

munitalP at his best - this is a great TR. Thanks!

 

[disy]

Thanks munitalP
Really enjoyed reading your TR. Sorry to hear about your taxi trouble. Hope you are okay now. We are going to Hanoi in April and it was great to read such an honest evaluation. Also some info on what to include in our itinerary - the B52.
disy

 

[munitalP]

The Final Instalment

Thursday 18th November 2010

I was up showered and packed by 0630 and ready to go. I had gained two extra pieces of carry on, my Vietnamese wind chimes and my Vietnamese hat - Non Quai Thao – a traditional handmade item. I was wondering my chances of this actually arriving back in Australia still conical! On checking out, I made sure my HH number was correctly attached to my account and my QFF number – my new goal with HH is no achieve the next status level within the next 6 months – it should be quite easy the way things are going!

My driver was there to pick me up at exactly 7am, and we were off out into the Ha Noi traffic for the last time this trip. The road to the airport from the Hilton is generally divided by concrete barriers, so the traffic flows exceptionally smoother than the other parts of town, you still have the heart stopping moments when a vehicle you are following just cuts in front of you to turn left, but apart from the, it’s far less frantic.

On arrival at the airport, I bid farewell to my driver and proceeded inside to see if there was a possibility of checking my luggage all the way through to Melbourne. My itineraries were not linked, but I had printed out copies with booking reference numbers in the hope this could be done. I approached the check in and explained to the lady what I hoped she could do. She mucked about for a little while and said she could not see my onward legs from Bangkok, so couldn’t do it. I resigned the fact that I would have to clear immigration in Bangkok and recheck. All I hoped was there would be an early check in somewhere, otherwise I had 3-4 hours in Bangkok sitting around doing nothing.

Again, my expected J flight was Y. Why was this happening – I would have to figure this out in Australia!

I boarded a reasonably full flight, I had been allocated a window exit row, pity there was no window there, and I also had two very big blokes nest to me. Once the plane was fully boarded, the aisle seat diagonally opposite was empty as was the middle, so I asked the flight attendant if I could move – no problem. Getting comfortable in my new seat, I closed my eyes and even missed take off – I was out like a light only to be awakened when feeling the aircraft descending into Bangkok. As I shuffled around to get sorted out, a flight attendant came and asked if I wanted a drink or anything else! As previously stated, the VN service in Y is superb!

Landing in Bangkok, I wandered through immigration, collected my luggage and was out in minutes. I took the escalator to the departures level then walked the length and breadth of the terminal in hope of a priority check in lounge or counter to deposit my bags – but not to be. I called bossreggie and asked him if he knew of an early check in system, but he didn’t either so, I sat down opposite where I knew QF would be checking and hurried up and waited. Listening to some music and playing a new iPad game I have, time went by pretty quickly and soon QF were pegging out their area, signs and flags and not long after I was issued a boarding pass for 63B – that’s upper deck J on British Airways metal.

I took a leisurely walk through the terminal in the direction of the Qantas club, the F lounge still had an hour or so before opening so I wandered in and made myself a drink, then Skyped home for a while. An hour flew by, and I was soon going across the hallway to the F Lounge where I made myself comfortable with a widow seat and power for laptop, then kicked back and got relaxed for my flights home with a couple of glasses of bubbles, and some fruit and cheese.

Before the flight was called, I left the lounge and made my way down to the gate where, on passport and boarding pass inspection completed, I found a seat near the aircon pillar, and pulled out iPad and carried on the game I had been playing before. Boarding was delayed, then over the PA system, 4 names were called out and asked to report to the desk – mine being one of them! I’m immediately thinking an upgrade to F – woo hoo! That would be a bonus, but, alas, the row of seats I am sitting in has no power to the seat, and they have stuck me in an centre isle bottom deck. I am not happy, not happy at all. I don’t like the BA seat arrangements let alone being stuck on the bottom deck – get me a top deck seat I said, upgrade me to F if you have nothing upstairs, but please don’t put me in that bottom deck seat –please!

FAIL. I sat in the newly allocated seat on the bottom deck. I couldn’t get my requested meal (at first till the FA went upstairs and found one), after 1 bourbon and coke, the bourbon stocks had run out, and worst of all, I had a wanker of a seat mate – the one who has to cross your space to get into his seat. It started when my pillow which was sitting on my lowered footrest before takeoff, he knocked to the floor when exiting his seat to retrieve some item of importance – I didn’t notice this till his return, where he stood on it in his dirty shoes he was wearing. This was followed by 4 separate occasions during the flight that he got up and kicked me or stood on my feet while crossing. I was so unhappy with this and I couldn’t do a thing about this cough.

To sum up this horrid BA flight.

1. I liked the seat / bed comfort, far better than the Skybed
2. The flight attendants had to work with an under stocked aircraft and make the most of a **** situation which I thought they done particularly well
3. The BA seating forward backward sucks – give me skybeds any day of the week
4. The storage is appalling on these seats
5. The light shades in J are a nice touch
6. Never again on BA if by staying an extra day (which I could have easily done in BKK) puts me on QF

We landed on time in Sydney, where I shot straight through to the declared goods line and offered up my newly acquired wind chime, and some small wooden figurines I had purchased. Quarantine had a quick look, asked if I had anything else and sent me on my way out faster than I would have been declaring nothing and still waiting for my bag to be X-Rayed.

The new transfer to domestic connections in Sydney. FAIL. The first day Sydney has a howling westerly with cold rain, everyone will agree! Fancy building this transfer area so access is by walking outside to get there – I hope this is temporary, otherwise, what a complete FAIL!

Luggage rechecked, wind chimes re bagged in a QF plastic bag, and I was off over to the domestic terminal for breakfast at the J lounge, then down onto an A330 (with Skybeds) for my flight back to Melbourne. I slept this entire flight and was happy to be getting off the aircraft into my drivers 7 series for the ride home. The end of another adventurous work trip.

munitalP

 

[anat0l]

To sum up this horrid BA flight.

1. I liked the seat / bed comfort, far better than the Skybed
2. The flight attendants had to work with an under stocked aircraft and make the most of a **** situation which I thought they done particularly well
3. The BA seating forward backward sucks – give me skybeds any day of the week
4. The storage is appalling on these seats
5. The light shades in J are a nice touch
6. Never again on BA if by staying an extra day (which I could have easily done in BKK) puts me on QF

You did get upgraded to BA F, right?

I don't see how a nit wit could possibly invade into your space on BA F. That doesn't make any bl**dy sense at all. Seriously.

As for the ying-yang arrangement in Club World (J), yeah that has a polarising effect. I don't mind it, except it's always better if you get a seat where no one has to cross over you, or you don't have to cross over someone else. And of course upper deck is always quieter than lower deck (it is also much more difficult to get a seat allocation in upper deck, for just this reason).

Extra storage in CW is offered by the drawer at your foot (usually for shoes or a laptop); in F it is under the ottoman, with little trinkets near your side table.

I can't remember if F has sockets and if they do where they are, since I didn't use it when I flew BA F. Would be a serious fail if they didn't have any, really.

Overall, except for the understocked galley and the fact that F is on the main deck, it shouldn't have been as horrid as you put it, especially if we dismiss the nit wit passenger. But oh well.

Did you get an amenity kit on this flight? Would make a delightful gift for Mrs!

The new transfer to domestic connections in Sydney. FAIL. The first day Sydney has a howling westerly with cold rain, everyone will agree! Fancy building this transfer area so access is by walking outside to get there – I hope this is temporary, otherwise, what a complete FAIL!

It ain't temporary. Here to stay... at least until the next "upgrade"....

Great facility by itself but I agree as to what nit wit thought about having an uncovered passage between terminal and facility.



Oh, and great report, munitalP.