Down south
Hello,
I've been travelling along the dragon-shaped Vietnam for over a month now. Initially, I thought a month would suffice to journey from north to south and take in everything. However, with just 5 days left, I had to accept that the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc Island, Con Dao Islands, and others in the South would have to wait for my next visit. On the bright side, however, it leaves me an opportunity to return and complete my itinerary.
Tiny fisherman village Bai Xep
Time has flown by, and pretty much every day in Vietnam offers a unique experience. Staying in a family-run hotel unexpectedly turned into a birthday party for the father of the family. Cycling through villages gave me some insight into rural life, unveiling charming landscapes with rice fields, coffee plantations, and the Central Highlands. Even transit days can be eventful, like today when I found myself on a local bus that honks like an elephant every time it overtakes someone on the road. Seated next to me is an elderly ethnic minority lady who's constantly on the phone, speaking loudly to make herself heard inside the small bus. When she's not on the phone, she's seeking help from all fellow passengers with her smartphone settings, displaying remarkable resourcefulness. She doesn't take no for an answer, even when a bus driver's helper tries to shush her away.
Don't get me wrong; there are dull and annoying days too. Sometimes I feel like I've overdosed on Vietnam, finding even small things irritating. Picture being on a sleeper bus with someone on a loudspeaker video call, another watching reels with the speaker on, and the person in front watching a football match aloud. Or walking through Hoi An, a town known for its UNESCO-listed architecture, where everyone is trying to sell you everything at once. By the end of the day, you can't be bothered to say no, thank you, and just end up ignoring vendors or massage parlor staff ("Massage? Two for one" - never dared to ask what this actually means, any idea?).
I must admit that when little annoyances pop up, I tell myself, Well, at least you are in a hot foreign country full of surprises and discoveries. You have an opportunity to learn new things about the world and yourself too. Putting things into perspective is really grounding.
I've been documenting my journey every step of the way, and I hope you'll enjoy it. Read you soon!
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