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What may fascinate you about Vietnam is vastly different from me.

There is a historical legacy here. Of pain, suffering and loss.

This may hands down be the most controversial episode I'll ever create.

But it needed to be done. This is Saigon, Vietnam, in my own words.

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Welcome

Let me be clear, this episode will not come from a place of anger, resentment or any number of adjectives that describes what we Americans label the Vietnam War and the way in which that history's legacy has provided the focal point for the discourse when the very notion of Vietnam comes up.

It's a sensitive subject for many in my community but don't for one second believe that my decision to refrain is some sort of sign of weakness. Honestly, I don't care what some of you may think.

This episode needed to be done because I love traveling to Vietnam and I think you should too minus the possible diarrhea you may experience.
Spotlighted Destination

Saigon, Vietnam

Learn to ride a motorbike in the utmost safest way possible. Try to ride in an empty alleyway. Make sure you're not only familiar and comfortable with the handles (gas, brake, steering, etc) before you even dare to hop on. Think through the mechanics of how to ride first. It's like riding a bicycle, takes practice. But once you learn, you'll feel the child-like thrill as if you were a kid all over again.
Pro tip: When in doubt, slow down, brake and drop your right foot slowly to come to a stop. Think as if you're stopping when skateboarding.
If you have time, I'd try to learn how to ride in Vung Tau, a lazy beachy small town that has much more open space to ride.
Please, please, please be extra careful. I can't emphasize that enough. I do, however, believe that anyone and everyone can learn how to ride. It'll be worth it when you learn and it will be an added boost to your confidence once you do.
Try Banh Xeo with spring rolls here (also known as sizzling crepe):
Look for secret cafes that are hidden in alleyways or above buildings. I won't share any one specific cafe but do some research and see what suits your tastes. There are plenty of cafes all over town so find one in the neighborhood you're staying at.
Go out to the country side, best on a motorbike, and ride along the rice paddies. Ride towards Vung Tau and as a reward, find a beach side restaurant along the main road, sit back on a plastic chair, order some seafood and beer, and enjoy the sunset.

Wrap Up

Vietnam is pretty awesome but it's not for everyone. This is a place that can be amazing but can also simultaneously wear you down. There's an excitement brewing in Saigon right now with the emerging young professional class and the growing expat community there.

Pro tip: When at the airport, do not take up the offer of private taxi's approaching you. Ignore the chaos, walk outside and make a direct left towards the taxi line. Official taxis serving airport passengers is the best and safe way to get to where you need to go. Make sure they turn on the meter too.

I realize I'm biased when it comes to Vietnam. This place is amazing plus I have a history here from my study abroad days and my family roots. I think this is a great place to get a crash course in seeing a developing country evolve and change. It seems that every time I visit, which is every 1 or 2 years, a lot of things change. Some good, some bad. But that's the by product of globalization.

It's easy to fall into the trap of nostalgia for the past romanticized version of Vietnam. It's also terribly easy to fall into the pain of the past, particularly if you're Vietnamese by heritage.

I don't have answers for you. I just take Vietnam as-is, no refunds, no warranty. And somehow, this place that I grew up to believe that I kind of and sort of hate became a place that I now look to as a refuge whenever I need a sweet escape.

This episode was not easy and I really don't think I made any sense of it. I just simply wanted to share some of the things I like.

Hope you enjoyed this episode. Have a great day and we'll meet again on Friday.

Cheers.

Kevin Le





***P.S. Shout out to the University of California's Education Abroad Program. This program set the stage for my travel hacking ways and things have never been the same.