After my previous trip to Saigon, Vietnam, my perception of Vietnam has somehow changed. My sister calls it "the country with con men", and it is true in many cases. Travelling in less developed countries like these, one often has to possess more than wit. In this trip, I have encountered friendly and helpful Vietnameses, also the rude and mean ones. For example, while I was eating my takeaway before my flight, I had a packet of tissue next to my lunch. One Vietnamese guy just came forward, took a piece without asking to wipe his glasses. Hey hello, do you think I am blind?? Then in another occasion, my travel mates booked a massage in their room, to their horror, the Vietnamese masseuses were in their room eating their chips and chocolate (without asking!!). Geez, they are SO BLOODY RUDE. I am so turned off by such behaviour.
Anyhow, I shall start telling you my little journey to Hanoi. Jetstar got me there timely and safe, only to have me finding my way to the city centre by a mini van which only departed when packed to the brim! I can't complain for a USD2 fare compared to USD15 for a taxi. After being dropped off, then I had to find my way to my hostel. The bargaining started right after, fortunately, a kind old man finally agreed to my price and so I hopped on for my first motorbike ride in Hanoi. He dropped me off but at the wrong street, I managed to find my way, greeted by an extremely friendly guy in Little Hanoi Hostel. Despite that I didn't feel at ease with his friendliness, I enquired with him the tours I wanted to go on. He gave me the quotes which were what I would get at a Sinh Cafe travel agency or even more, not attractive to be exact. After so much negotation, he only gave a USD2 discount for 2 tour packages, with no guarantee of a 4 sleeping berth ticket on return. He also seemed to change his mind about the price every minute, not getting lower but getting higher! I got on WiFi and asked a friend who had done it recently and realised he might be just another con man in disguise. A very good salesman can be a con man, and a con man is certainly a very good salesman - no doubt about that. There goes those good reviews about the hostel, they are going to get a special one from me.
After settling down in a triple room with two other girls, the dormitory which would a much better room was full, I ventured out to Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword). Along the way, I came across the Water Puppet Theatre which was human congested. As it was only 60,000 VND (under S$4) for a ticket, I just went along and queued. Then a Vietnamese tour guide who was bringing a Malaysian couple around started chatting to me. The 50 minutes show ended near 730pm, with me starving. I sat on the cyclo for the first time after another successful bargain, and dined at a restaurant named Highway 4 recommended by that "con man" but wasn't impressed.
Just as things were a bit rough on the first day, I received a piece of bad news from home about the old man being sick. Things would get better, I believed. I began a frantic search on the other hostel I shortlisted, lady luck was on my side, it was only 5 minutes away. So at 1030pm, I put on my jacket, walked over and decided to go with the other place where they quoted me almost 30% less for the Sapa tour, with better train tickets (which turned out to be overbooked but glad it all worked out). I returned, wanting to check out but they refused as I was supposed to go with their Halong Bay tour and I had the bed for the day. So I reluctantly agreed to check out first thing tomorrow and would go on the Halong Bay tour as promised. For sure, things got better. I never met that "con man" again as the reception was manned by another guy whom was definitely much more genuine, I almost felt guilty for leaving.
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| A typical street in Hanoi |
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