In August last year my wife Linda and I traveled once again, to Vietnam. Having toured from North to South several years ago, I thought that this time I would like to revisit the areas around PhuocTuy Province, where I actually spent most of my tour in 1971/72. The idea of the trip came at the RSL where I am usually found for a drink or three on a Thursday and Friday evening. 

There is a group of Vietnam Veterans connected with the club, who regularly make the trip. This includes spending the 18th of August (Long Tan Day) at the Long Tan Cross of Remembrance, situated in the rubber plantation where the Battle in 1966 took place. This year we were talked in to the trip by a friend of ours, David Limpis, a 3 RAR first tour veteran, who organized the trip with assistance of his friends and local contacts around Vung Tau.

I would like to tell of our trip last year and take this opportunity to pass on some handy travel tips, for when the Vampire Tour eventuates. May I suggest a good time to visit Vietnam is in August. This is the wet season. Temperatures are moderate, at times the rains are a nuisance but this is counteracted by dust, smog and smoke in the dry season. Having traveled in both seasons I prefer to put up with the wet, rather than the dust. The biggest highlight of the trip was the chance and experience of being in the Long Tan Rubber on the 18th of August, the actual day of the Battle.

In my previous article (Jeez, I hope you appreciate this Editor) Profile of an MIA, I mentioned our group consisted of Vietnam Vets, Wives and Sons. So having completed the mandatory tasks such as ensuring travel/accommodation etc was booked, Visa’s obtained with plenty of lead up time and so on, we prepared ourselves for the trip. One of the tasks on our check lists this trip, was to obtain US Dollars as a result of traveling the many markets scattered through-out Vietnam. The Vietnamese absolutely prefer to trade with the US Dollar. Bartering is still the best way to shop and of course the locals prefer the haggling. They also prefer to deal over a calculator, this means when both parties agree on a price just show the price on the calculator. I guess this saves losing face with other vendors around them. It also gives you an idea of the equivalent in $US and $Aust. Back to the US currency. Wait for the best price offered by the Banks and then order in small denominations. There is no need for anything larger than $10’s. We chose to withdraw funds as required in the larger Banks around Saigon. Changing Dollars to Vietnamese Dong requires shopping around also. Find a reputable changing organization, such as your hotel or a bank. The old two card trip of ripping punters off whilst changing money “On the Streets” still exists. One of our younger travelers was a victim. After changing some Dollars for Dong, he unrolled his wad to find he had inherited useless Vietnamese Monopoly money.

Whilst I am on the subject of “Being on the streets”. On arrival in destinations such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) it can become very intimidating. Not many people experience the feeling of such masses of people, vehicles and motorcycles. Just crossing a road is very daunting. Once you can pluck up the courage to proceed, you step onto the road (as a group is better) and remember, look to the left first, not the right. You will find the motorcyclist, pushbikes, cyclo’s etc, will just go around you. This practice is not recommended when you are crossing roads with buses, motor vehicles and trucks, these will not go around you. In Saigon there are many pedestrian crossings, use these, but don’t trust them to be safe. 

Luggage

May I suggest, travel lightly. On the first trip Linda and I took just about every thing. What a mistake. This year we will take about the clothes we have and on and some jocks and socks. Well no socks and I may even leave my jocks home, and well……..free snake. (Edit that out Ed, if its fails the censor standards). Seriously though, on the first day in country it’s off to the Ben Tanh Markets in Saigon for us and we buy what we need. Outfits, Sandals, Shoes (you will not believe that there is a place called the Street of Shoes). You can purchase any item what so ever around Ho Chi Min City. It may not be the genuine article, but it will be very close.

Security

Next on the travel agenda is the matter of security. On previous trips we have not experienced any incidents of theft. We were advised to travel light. All unnecessary jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets should be left at home, in the safe or removed when traveling in public. Stories relating to jewelry being snatched off people are often talked about but that can be determined by the neighborhood you wander off to. Be very conscious of where you place valuables on your body, i.e. wallets, money belts etc. For the ladies a string purse slung over the shoulder put under your top/shirt is a good idea.

Security at your accommodation is a must. Don’t be too perturbed if you are asked to hand over your Passport’s at your Hotel Reception. Just confirm it will be secured with them. This is a guarantee that guests will not skip without paying their hotel bill. Whilst on the subject of Passports. Given the worst case scenario, if it is lost or stolen, it is a very good idea to have the pages containing your photo, names DOB etc photocopied. Take a copy with you and leave a copy at home with family or friends. I am told this saves several hours of work for the consulate people when issuing a new passport. Your accommodation will also provide either mini-safes in your room or a security box at reception. Make the most of these. We have not had any bad experiences using these security systems.

A tip for heavy sleepers with a balcony view. Do not go to bed and leave your balcony door open. Towards the end of our tour, a mate of ours awoke to see an intruder about to exit the room with his suitcase. Needless to say, the intruder made his way to the ground floor minus the suitcase.