I have serious whip lash from the transition into Vietnam from Laos. While Laos' pace of life is similar to that of molasses, Vietnam is all hustle bustle whizzing by... I spent the past few days on what can only be referred to as a Nazi Boat touring through Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island. While the scenery is breathtaking, I can't help but feel like I'm in some kind of tourist factory... being shuttled from one activity to another, quick stops for generic meals, and being asked "Are we having fun?!?!" By Vietnamese with wicked smiles glued to their faces the whole time....
In Thailand, it is well known by everyone who's been there that there are no rules, especially for tourists. Whatever the falang says, goes. It is was makes Thailand so popular and so easy to travel through. Thai (and Laos) people love falang... and, well... Vietnamese people.... do not.... On the Nazi Boat around Cat Ba, we were being told what not to do so many times that I was having wicked flashbacks of sophomore year in highschool that soon turned into realities.... Due to the "do not BYOB" rule, yet an overpriced wine list onboard, we were forced to sneak vodka into our tiny, cramped cells and drink booze out of water bottles so the Dutch grandparents we were sailing with wouldn't judge us.... (not to mention the severe nazi punishment we would receive!)
The contrast in pace also requires some major adjustment. Vietnam's congested traffic, constant honking, and persistant vendors are indeed a little jarring. Especially remembering the slow and lazy nights we had in Laos, sitting around eating sticky rice, freely sipping lao lao at our leisure, and telling stories... ah, peaceful, free, Laos.... like some kind of foggy mountain dream....
