About Me
Imperfect Singaporean
Unpredictable Aries
Non-Smoker
Social Drinker
Adores the Family
Cherishes Friendship
Enjoys Dancing
Pigs out on Yummy Food
Loves Pretty Necklaces
Fetish for Dresses
Indulges in Ice-Cream
Crazy over Dark Chocolates
Interests
Broadway Musicals
Movies
Fashion
Beauty & Health
Latin Dance
Ballroom Dance
Chilling Out
Swimming
Shopping
Travelling
Wish List
Continue with Yoga
Pretty Nails
Daily Skincare Regime Korea in Apr '08 Cambodia in Jul '08 Bangkok in Dec '08 Hanoi in Apr/May '09 Perth in Sep '09 Bangkok in Dec '09 Europe in May '10
Taipei-Bangkok in Sep '10
Just touched down not long ago. Have not even unpacked. Kinda dread going back to office tomorrow but can't help it. My mobile phone was already ringing non-stop today while I was still in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).
Got some rashes on my legs and I suspect it is due to the not-so-clean seats on my SQ airplane. My skin is very sensitive even to a little dust. Applied cream on both legs and I feel as if both legs are burning now. ARGH! Anyway, all in all, this has been a fruitful trip. Did more sightseeing and exploring than shopping. Generally, modern-day clothes in HCMC are not so pretty and more pricey than Singapore. However, tailor made your own clothes and they are very cheap. I think it is due to the high taxes imposed, hence imported clothes to Vietnam are generally more expensive. Well, I did tailor-made a Vietnamese Ao-Sai, a Cheong Sam and a dress. Workmanship is quite good.
I will share more when I upload the pictures and blog more about the whole trip. Meanwhile, can share some interesting facts I gathered.
Christmas Day (i.e. 25 December 2006) is not a holiday in Vietnam.
Vietnamese exchange water melon instead of oranges during their New Year.
For 2007 only, the Vietnamese New Year is a day earlier than our Lunar New Year.
Vietnamese food is either very salty or extremely sweet (for Singaporeans' taste bud).
Most Vietnamese can't speak English.
Beer or liquor is damn cheap in Vietnam. A can of Heineken beer costs about S$1.
HCMC has a population of 8.3 million and this city is infested with 4 million motor bikes.
HCMC has certain specialised streets selling certain products. E.g. you can find a street specalising in mobile phone, or a street specialising in funeral services etc.
There is no real countdown Christmas Party in HCMC. Everyone just hangs around the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Vietnamese women don't seem to fancy their own country's men as per a few conversations with ladies there.
It is a miracle to be able to cross any busy street as the motor bikes just keep heading towards you even though the traffic is to the pedestrians' way.
Right. Should stop here. Can't recall anymore. May update if I can remember any more fact. Oh yah, did I mention that the Immigration Officer at the Customs scare me?
Officer looked at my passport and pronounced my name wrongly.
I corrected Officer.
Officer: You married?
Me: Unmarried?
Officer: How many children?
Me: No children. Unmarried.
Officer: Married?
Me: No. Single.
Officer: Then many many boyfriends.
Me (exasperated): No, no boyfriend.
Officer: Many many boyfriends.
Me (forced a smile): No sir. No boyfriend.
Then he stamped on my passport and let me go.
I was kinda freaked out. I felt so much like yelling at him that it was none of his business if I am married or single or whatever! But.... I was scared too. What if he does not let me pass the immigration and I can't catch my flight? Oh well, just my luck!