I took an eight-year hiatus from Vietnam after having traveled here seven times since 1992, when the country reopened to tourists.
Over those seven visits, I watched as slowly ATMs cropped up. Bicycles were replaced by motorbikes and then motorbikes replaced by cars.
Hanoi went from a quiet, subdued city to a bustling little metropolis packed with art galleries and cafes. And Hoi An went from a blip on the map, without even one tourist hotel, to a must-visit haven for even the most shopping-averse traveler.
In the early days, there were few hotels from which to choose. I remember sleeping on a mat placed on top of elevelated slats, then called a bed. It’s what the locals slept on.
In the south, a Vietnamese person seen speaking with a foreigner would surely be detained, questioned and risked being jailed.
While Vietnam is far from perfect today (I haven’t been able to log on to Facebook, for example), the country is a far cry from the days of having locals beg me to help get them out of the country.
The photos above are typical of both the old and new Vietnam (same same) but changes have happened. While the country is as frenetic as ever, it seems there has been just enough change to make it actually easy for travelers Some of these changes include:
- Easy access to ATMs
- Ability to purchase a local cell phone and make calls within and outside of Vietnam
- Free Wifi everywhere – Vietnam is far more wired that even Seattle with free Wifi
- An increase in cafes and restaurants catering to westerners
I do love seeing the opportunities that the locals now have as these changes have taken hold over the years. And the fact that these things make travel so much easier will certainly increase tourism in the coming years and hopefully help Vietnam continue to evolve in a positive manner.
For now, my group and I are half way through our tour. Next up Saigon and then on to Cambodia!
Travel Well!
Beth
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jessiev says
wonderful, hearing (and seeing) the changes in vietnam. incredible!
Donna Hull says
It’s interesting to read the changes that you’ve observed in Vietnam, Beth. I was there for the first time last fall. Although the visit was brief, I was impressed with the amount of commerce going on in the streets of Hanoi and Saigon. Oh those millions of motorbikes! I especially enjoyed the friendliness and hope to return again some day for a more in-depth experience.
Carolyn Lane says
My favorite expression and seems so often applicable. I liked reading your description from the early days. I visited in ’06 and found the country frenetically busy and overtly friendly when interacting, yet intimidating when crossing the streets.
Sherry Ott says
So glad you are enjoying Vietnam. I loved visiting there in 2007, but moving there and living there was a whole new challenge! One thing I was amazed at was the types of cuisine you can find in Saigon – great Italian, Mediterranean, and Spanish…they had it all!
Stop at Fanny’s Ice cream in Saigon and get the Young Rice ice cream! Yum! Also, make sure you stop at a Wrap and Roll – yummy, yummy spring rolls from all over Vietnam!
Andi says
Wow, those are some pretty big changes in not such a long of a time period. Thanks for enlightening us! Vietnam is DEFINITELY on my lists of places to visit.