A reliable company

Is there something special about Tom and Jerry that I do not know about? There seems to be an addiction to the cartoon here. As far as I know, they have not been made for years, but every day they are shown here. What is really confusing to me is that the Vietnamese people seem to be mesmerized by them. Not just the kids, but the adults as well. Right now I am watching my night man watching Tom and Gerry. I think if the phone rang he would not hear it. I experienced a similar thing in a bar and restaurant that a friend owns. He had installed a retractable roof so his newly purchased furniture would be protected during rain storms. A storm did hit and everybody was so involved in watching Tom and Gerry that the roof never was adjusted and for the rest of the day, no customers could seat themselves without getting wet.

I still intend do a story on bicycles soon, but for now let me tell you a little about Taxi’s in Vietnam and the problems that many

Take your chances with this one

 tourists can face with them. I will also address how to deal with them and save you a lot of hassle. The nature of the taxi business is such that it is that they are always struggling to get the customer before another. Once the customer is in the car, they try to be “helpful” in order to get tips, commissions, and any other add on they can profit from. In Vietnam, the same is true but it seems that they have taken this basic service to a whole different level. Taxis and the scams they may try to abuse you with can be a black mark on your vacation.

Firstly, to my amazement, it seems that most taxi drivers are from the north. I recognize the accent and have always wondered why that would be. Perhaps one day I will figure that out. Anyway, in travel forums and guides, you will read

Made to look like A MaiLinh... avoid these

about the constant problem of people being abused, and ripped off by Taxi drivers. This is one rare occasion where I have to agree with books such as the lonely planet guides. Taxis in Vietnam can be a nightmare. Once you have placed luggage in their trunk, you are at their mercy if something goes wrong. The last thing that you want is some hot headed individual to drive off with all of your possessions.

There are a number of legitimate cab companies that are usually a safe option for the tourist. The best are Vinasun and MaiLinh. Under normal circumstances they will be honest and will run by the meter. You can be reasonably assured that it is a legit cab if he or she is wearing a uniform with a tie. It is still a best practice to get the Taxi number whenever entering a taxi in Vietnam. If anything goes wrong, you can report it. If you are picked up

Another good company

 my on of the two companies mentioned and the driver is not wearing the white shirt and tie, there is a chance that it is a clone with a doctored meter. Try to be sure that the driver looks like he belongs. You will see other taxis that will confuse you painted in the same color scheme and worded slightly different such as ma-linh or Sunvina… avoid these. It is a hit and miss weather the meter has been altered. I tried an experiment in Saigon with two cabs. I hired a Vinasun taxi to take me to a restaurant. The fare was 28000 dong. When I left, I returned t the same location but took a Sunvina. The meter was altered and the fare came to 68000 dong. Some of the best practices in Vietnam when hiring a taxi are:

Use a reputable company and note the taxi number, then ask to use the meter. If you are negotiating a fare, be sure it is for the whole group. Sometimes they will say it was per person and the fight will begin. If you can, carry your luggage in the back seat and not in the trunk, that way at anytime if you believe you are being taken for a ride, you can insist to stop here and get out. All is not doom and gloom, but you should be

My style of Taxi

aware of the taxis trying to make a quick buck.  In my experience, going by the meter with a reputable company is the best, and you can always keep them honest by pretending to refer to a map in your lap. Now here is the part where most tourists are scammed.

Most drivers have deals with hotels and attractions and will get a commission if they deliver a customer to them. On three separate occasions (that I know of) I have had hotel guests that were scooped by drivers trying to gain a few extra dongs. Some of my customers have been told that I was out of business, way to far from the city, not clean, in a bad neighborhood, and other excuses. Hah!!! Do not be gullible…. I myself have tired of the taxi driver. When in Saigon, I just take a bus. It is just as fast. In NhaTrang airport, I just ignore all the taxis, walk into the parking lot and hire a car that is willing to be honest. Airport taxis are notorious for being swindlers.  I still use taxis on a regular basis as long as the meter is running and I am not getting any of their rasons to go to another hotel,  but when I do, I throw the fear of Buddha into them by having them stop the car and telling them that they are being dishonest in my poor Vietnamese.

Another exciting day in Saigon. It was hot. Probably about plus 34. I am now sitting at a corner local restaurant. It is 7pm ant the sweat is pouring from by body. In front of me is a dear old friend. .( see picture)I am waiting for another old friend Hau. He was the person I used to book the tours that we took to Halong bay in 2009.  Since then, he has become a friend and I will be doing business with him. He is a bit of a party animal, so I do not know what tonight may bring. The plan is to go to the airport and pick up yet another friend of mine who is flying in from Washington.

Charles helping some women

It is now seven hours later. I had a great time. Hau picked me up and we went to a seafood restaurant near the airport to wait for Ken;s flight. We were joined by a bunch of people who operate the busses for tours in Vietnam…. A great bunch of guys. The snails were excellent and I ate and drank too much as usual. I think it is pretty safe to say that I was the first

A typical telephone pole in Saigon

 westerner ever to sit and party at that place. It is now 1:30 am here. We safely returned to the hotel with Ken and now I am tipsy and exhausted. I will go to sleep and carry on tomorrow..

This morning I have a bit of a headache…. I have no idea why Yesterday started of typically with my morning coffee and a bit of blogging, and at lunch I met up

A great gal. Get Hoa to show you aroung Saigon

 with Charles. I took him to the Doner Kebeb stand for a sandwich. He agrees with me that it is one of the best sandwiches ever. I blogged about it in December, so look back if you want more on the sandwich. We joked quite a bit about the fact he was Vietnamese, but it was I showing him around and helping him to deal with the people. He has been gone a long

Drinking with the boys

time and is a little nervous here. I think I have helped him lose some of his fears. He will be back to NhaTrang and I will see him again.

The demand for my business cards is so great here, that I ran to a print shop and had one hundred made while I waited. I can now send traffic my way. They did a very good job at

A toast with Hau

 copying the card I had with me. I then grabbed a Xe om ( motorcycle taxi) and headed downtown to do a little shopping. I was able to track down a particular perfume that my wife likes, although there is a chance it is counterfeit. We will see. In my wanderings, I  met up with a woman named Hoa. She speaks excellent English due to her involvement

Ma and my pal Ken from Washington

with the Americans. Unfortunately for her, her property downtown was confiscated in the 70’s, and has since lived in a small rented room. She makes her living by hanging around downtown and offering to show tourists around. She also helps then not to get ripped off. She accepts any money or food you offer her. I myself gave her a little money and bought her a coffee, she was worth it. I will see her again when in Saigon. Again, I grabbed a Xe om and headed back to my hotel for a drink before Hau came to collect me. And then…….PARTY ON!! It was fun

Ken's friend Thuy

 and I have a few photo’s attached. Now a little bit about Xe om

Motorcycle taxis are everywhere here. They are usually hardened men you will see sitting at the roadside looking as if they are there to pick your pocket. They look

Our receptionist has a new hairstyle... oooo so cute

Ya gotta love it here!!!!! Drink anyone??

mean, but generally they are a good bunch of people and you can rely on them to go everywhere. A short ride to anywhere you want to go within a reasonable distance is 10,000 Dong. For further distances 20,000. It is a fast and reliable way to travel. I used to go by taxi, but have found this mode of travel much more efficient. Do not be afraid to use them if in Vietnam.

As usual, this blog was very rushed. I am posting it without correcting any mistakes…… sooooooo…… If I sound like I am babbling…..Ah!! whatever…..