- Vietnamese are much whiter. When I asked a Vietnamese if he would marry a Cambodian, he shook his hand and said: “They are very dark!”
- On the other hand, Cambodians seem to be more friendly and hospitable to me than Vietnamese. Maybe I have the feeling because I was staying in Ho Chi Minh City and not in the countryside.
- In Saigon buildings are so tall and beautiful that I thought I am back in Europe. In Cambodia, on the other hand, besides hotels one can hardly find a building taller than 3 storeys.
- In Saigon not everybody accepts dollars, so be sure you have some dongs at your disposal. In Cambodia the rate USD/Riel = 4000 seems to have maintained forever and they are quite interchangeable.
- The food in Vietnam has a lot to offer. If compared, the Vietnamese cuisine is much tastier and a bit cheaper than the Cambodian “food”. But anyway I am already used to Khmer food being even able to order it in Khmer.
- In Saigon people seem to be wealthier and able to afford a lot. Almost each family has at least two motorbikes? And can you imagine half of those motorbikes in the streets? The traffic is very heavy.
- The traffic laws are stricter here. Three people can drive a motorbike, but only if the third one pays a fine. According to the new law, starting from this summer everybody on motorbikes on main roads should wear helmets, and starting from December ’07 everyone should wear them on each street.
- On the other hand, Cambodians seem to be more friendly and hospitable to me than Vietnamese. Maybe I have the feeling because I was staying in Ho Chi Minh City and not in the countryside.
- In Saigon buildings are so tall and beautiful that I thought I am back in Europe. In Cambodia, on the other hand, besides hotels one can hardly find a building taller than 3 storeys.
- In Saigon not everybody accepts dollars, so be sure you have some dongs at your disposal. In Cambodia the rate USD/Riel = 4000 seems to have maintained forever and they are quite interchangeable.
- The food in Vietnam has a lot to offer. If compared, the Vietnamese cuisine is much tastier and a bit cheaper than the Cambodian “food”. But anyway I am already used to Khmer food being even able to order it in Khmer.
- In Saigon people seem to be wealthier and able to afford a lot. Almost each family has at least two motorbikes? And can you imagine half of those motorbikes in the streets? The traffic is very heavy.
- The traffic laws are stricter here. Three people can drive a motorbike, but only if the third one pays a fine. According to the new law, starting from this summer everybody on motorbikes on main roads should wear helmets, and starting from December ’07 everyone should wear them on each street.
The girl with many ex-es
a Vietnamese girl in the park nearby who was so proud to have changed more than 10 boyfriends already. While all the others were doing some exercises she couldn’t stop complaining about her last boyfriend.
The Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Starting from the park, I moved the next day to the City Hall, nicely built in the French style overlooking the downtown, and the Opera House.
The opera house
The other stop was the Ho Chi Minh Museum where one could get the picture of Saigon’s past and present. I didn't like it that much so I think the entrance was the most impressive.
The entrance to the Ho Chi Minh Museum
The evening was again spent in the park where a small child named Kua, 3, ran up to me and hugged. Later his father came to take the child back to the night market where their family was selling souvenirs. The boy looked so smart and cute, just like his father who has now become my friend. The next three evenings I spent with them selling souvenirs and the mornings driving around the city.
Vinh, my new Vietnamese friend
I send my best regards to my new Vietnamese friend, Vinh.
The family of my new friend
The sightseeing in Vietnam is not finished yet, so look forward to the rest of the pics.
Yours always,
Tigran
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