Sights of Vietnam
Sharing the experience
Some random notes related to this trip:
- 1RM = 4000VND if you change it locally. In Vietnam, 1RM
= 4450VND, and 1USD = 16000VND, compared to roughly
13720VND locally (exchange rate on May 2007).
-
All photos taken using Nikon D80 and D200. Lens used are
Nikon DX VR 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G, Nikon 50mm 1.8, Nikon
AF-S DX 18-135 mm and Nikon ED 14mm 2.8. Some of these are courtesy of Nikon Malaysia. While the people of
Vietnam are generally very friendly and are not camera
shy, do approach your subjects with care and
utmost courtesy. I find that the people, especially guys, in
the bigger city like Hanoi tend to not like be photographed so don't force it. The weather can get very dusty and wet
at times so extra care must be taken for your
equipment. Hotel shower caps come in real handy in this case, and of course the very affordable and easily available rain coat is a must.
-
Check into Hotel Classic I if you're going to
Hanoi. Visit Dogma Art if you're into propaganda
art and related merchandise.
-
Keep some spare money (don't blow it all on shopping)
for your airport tax when leaving Vietnam. At USD14 a pop,
you'll have to dig hard if you're running low by then.
-
Oh and don't even think of getting your Ringgits
exchanged by then, no money changer in the airport (Hanoi
at least) accepts RM. Believe me, we've tried it before.
