Last week I went to Vietnam on a company trip. Work kept me busy right up until we left, so I didn’t prepare anything at all, and while packing on the morning of departure I even forgot to bring my DSLR. In the end I had no choice but to shoot everything with a Sony point-and-shoot I’d bought in Akihabara for 10,000 yen. I don’t really like posting such slapdash travelogues, but I’m putting it up anyway for the record.
The first place we landed was Hanoi, the capital, up in the north of Vietnam. Hanoi is also famous for the Tower of Hanoi, the classic recursion example in programming, but I doubt many of you would know what I’m talking about.
Motorbikes on a rainy day
Like any typical Southeast Asian country, there were an enormous number of motorbikes tearing around the city. The funny thing is, when it starts raining mid-ride, people pull over to the roadside right away, change into raincoats, and then carry on. I guess it’s because it rains so often here.
Endless rice paddies
I knew Vietnam was famous for rice, but I had no idea the paddies were this vast. Apparently they farm with oxen instead of machines, and grow two crops a year. I think I heard they’re the world’s third-largest rice producer. Thanks to that, from the moment we arrived until we left, we ate rice-based food the whole time.
Dog at a rest stop
Dead or alive, I couldn’t tell…
Dog at a rest stop 2
Same with this one… These are the puppies at the rest stop we pulled into on the way to Ha Long Bay, the world-famous tourist spot.
Endless countryside
The weather wasn’t bad, but the image quality is pretty lousy. The photos do get a little better as we go along, though…
Industrial area
River
They said the border with China is just a bit further north. It seems they’re not on the best of terms with China, though…
Paddies on the way back from Ha Long Bay
Traffic was terrible on the way there, but thankfully it wasn’t nearly as bad on the way back.
Factories again
It wasn’t an easy trip…
River again
Feels like déjà vu…
Bikers in the city
Not just in Hanoi, but all over Vietnam, a motorbike is apparently a must if you want to go on dates. Maybe because it was a weekend night, we saw lots and lots of couples riding around in pairs.
The New World Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
On day two we moved from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City is the former Saigon; the name was changed after the victory in the Vietnam War.
Couples in the park
It’s too dark to see clearly, but the couples were making out under cover of darkness, rubbing it in. For a moment I actually wondered if I should buy a motorbike too…
Ho Chi Minh City as seen after waking up the next morning
There really were so many motorbikes on the road.
Exotic scenery…
Ho Chi Minh City is further south than Hanoi, so it was definitely hotter.
More morning city views
Morning street
Ho Chi Minh City was far more developed than Hanoi. There were way more construction sites, too.
Outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City
Temple
A trace of Chinese influence.
Motorbikes riding on the sidewalk
It’s almost scary. Look closely and even a car is driving on the sidewalk…
Cars on the city outskirts
The sky was clear, but it was the kind of day when it could rain at any moment.
A quiet country road
Fields and paddies
Tweaking the contrast a bit might have made it better, but I couldn’t be bothered, so here it is as is.
Rain falling from a clear sky
The Vietnamese countryside
Building under construction
Entering downtown Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City at night
It’s a bit more chaotic than Hanoi.
The photos are so shoddy I almost feel bad posting them. Next time I’ll make sure not to forget my DSLR…